African-American Leaders Should Censure Rep. Robin Kelly for Neglect of Missing Black Men

PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Rebecca Stewart

Telephone: 513-479-3335

African-American Leaders Should Censure Rep. Robin Kelly for Neglect of Missing Black Men

WASHINGTON / March 14, 2022 – The House Committee on Oversight and Reform recently held a hearing on “The Neglected Epidemic of Missing BIPOC Women and Girls.” The hearing ignored the fact that each year, more Black males than Black females are reported missing. The Coalition to End Domestic Violence deplores the callous neglect of Black men, and calls on Black leaders to express their concerns to the hearing’s convenor, Rep. Robin Kelly of Illinois.

The FBI’s “Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics” for 2020 reports the following counts for missing Blacks, American Indians, and Whites (1):

Black:

Males: 14,302; Females: 13,899

Indian:

Males: 918; Females: 578

White:

Males: 27,720; Females: 20,990

For all three groups, there are more missing males than missing females. Overall, missing men and boys represent 57% of all missing persons. One of these Black men is Clem Williams, 31, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who was last seen on October 17, 2021 wearing red jogging shorts (2). To this day, his whereabouts remains unknown.

In her opening comments at the hearing, Kelley stated, “The issue of missing Black, Brown, and Indigenous women and girls in America is truly an epidemic, and critically important to me.” (3) Kelly did not say anything about missing Black, Brown, or Indigenous men and boys.

Ironically, Kelly’s website makes this statement: “In Congress, I’m committed to advancing commonsense legislation that ensures all Americans can live their American Dream.” (4) Apparently, missing men and boys are not included within her vision of “all Americans.”

The Fourteenth Amendment, adopted on July 9, 1868, guarantees “equal protection of the laws” to all persons. African-Americans have a tragic history with persons in power who have ignored the most vulnerable persons in our communities.

Black leaders and others are urged to contact Rep. Kelly and express their displeasure with her studied neglect of missing men and boys. Call her office: (202) 225-0773.

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