For education purposes. Information is of a sensitive nature. Discretion is advised. The tragic stories of Mary Turner in 1918 and Ta’Kiya Young in 2023 are separated by over a century, yet they share haunting parallels that reflect the enduring issue of racial violence and injustice in the United States. Both women were African American, pregnant, and their lives were violently taken by acts of brutality, leaving a lasting impact on their communities and the nation’s consciousness. Mary Turner (1918): Mary Turner was a young black woman who was lynched by a white mob in Lowndes County, Georgia, in May 19181. Her husband, Hayes Turner, had been lynched the day before, and Mary publicly vowed to seek justice for his murder. In response, the mob targeted Mary, who was eight months pregnant at the time. In a horrific act of violence, she was hung upside down by her ankles, set on fire, and then cut open, causing the death of her unborn child before she was shot and killed2. No one was ever convicted for her lynching, and her death became a rallying point for anti-lynching campaigns by the NAACP3. Ta’Kiya Young (2023): Nearly 105 years later, Ta’Kiya Young, a 21-year-old pregnant black woman, was shot and killed by a police officer in Blendon Township, Ohio, after she was accused of shoplifting and attempted to drive away from the scene4. The incident occurred on August 24, 2023, and resulted in the death of both Ta’Kiya and her unborn child. The shooting was captured on bodycam video and sparked outrage and calls for justice from the community and beyond5. Parallels: The parallels between these two cases lie in the systemic racism and the violence inflicted upon black bodies, particularly those of black women. Both Mary Turner and Ta’Kiya Young were expecting mothers whose lives were cut short in acts of extreme violence. Their deaths highlight the historical and ongoing struggle for racial equality and the protection of black lives in America. The fact that such events can occur over a century apart underscores the need for continued vigilance and action to address racial injustice and police brutality. These stories are a somber reminder of the work that remains to be done to ensure that all individuals, regardless of race, are treated with dignity and respect, and that their rights are protected by the law. The legacy of Mary Turner and Ta’Kiya Young serves as a call to action to confront and dismantle the structures of racism that have allowed such tragedies to occur. Follow the Forefront Radio for more. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theforefront/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/theforefront/support