Activist Erica Garner has died, after suffering brain damage following a heart attack. She was 27 years old. The official Twitter page for Black Lives Matter campaigner whose also asked that only black journalists request comment on her death “out of respect”. This lead to division among those on social media on whether the request was racist or done for privacy reasons.
Out of respect to Erica please do not request comment if the journalist is not Black.
— officialERICA GARNER (@es_snipes) December 30, 2017
She became a prominent figure in the public eye in July 2014 when her father, Eric Garner, died after being put in a chokehold by a New York City police officer. Eric Garner was seen on video saying, “I can’t breathe” 11 times before he died. Erica Garner became a prominent figure calling for an end to police brutality, as her father’s last words became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement.
Erica Garner became a voice for police accountability after his death, criticizing Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio over policing matters. In 2016, she campaigned on behalf of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent, for president.
Here are some reactions on social media to the official Twitter account’s request.
Racism is racism, whether or not it’s targeted against POC.
— Joe Porter (@JoeAndCo_) December 30, 2017
Respect is respect. This is not about the allies. This is about respecting the family's request to keep their grieving place safe.
— Bridget Winningham (@porkchopvictory) December 30, 2017
I think of it less as the worst and more as the truest, which more often than not means messy human behavior. It's a Maya Angelou medium, whereupon ppl show you who they are every damn day. Believe them.
— Rebecca Carroll (@rebel19) December 30, 2017
Delete this smh there are many non black journalists who understand and empathize with the social issues she fought for
—
IssaQueen
(@__DeeOcean) December 30, 2017
Take a step back people please. Obviously someone is in pain and has access to this account. If you have followed Erica you know she was about people coming together. Erica has passed now you are attacking her because of what someone else has done.
— Robin K Register (@robinkath) December 30, 2017
I'll approach ur request from another perspective, hoping to appeal to ur pragmatism. The ratio of Black to White journos is mega overweighted to latter, esp at outlets w biggest platforms. Wouldn't it help to have all possible keep telling story of #EricGarner #EricaGarner #BLM?
— mindoca persisting (@mindoca) December 30, 2017
“Erica the world loves you. I love you. I am glad you came into our lives. May you find the peace in the next life that you deserved while you were here. I will always love you my sister. love you,” Garner’s Twitter account, which is run by her family, said.
Garner had gone into cardiac arrest and suffered major brain damage from a lack of oxygen.
“When you report this you remember she was human: mother, daughter, sister, aunt. Her heart was bigger than the world. It really really was,” her account said. “She cared when most people wouldn’t have. She was good. She only pursued right, no matter what. No one gave her justice.”
What do you think of the official Twitter account’s request for only black journalists to obtain comment regarding Erica Garner’s death? Let us know in the comments section.
Photo Credit: @es_snipes
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