As many families gathered to give thanks this past holiday season, the somber three-year anniversary of Tamir Rice’s tragic death went largely unnoticed. Tamir was only 12 years old when he was shot by police while playing with a toy gun in Cleveland, Ohio. As I reflect on this anniversary, I can’t help but think of my own son, who was just a year younger than Tamir at the time of his passing. Now, at 14, the weight of this reality hangs heavily on my heart.
As both a mother and an attorney, I find it deeply troubling to grapple with how officials continuously stripped Tamir of his childhood innocence to rationalize his death. The very laws designed to protect us failed him, and by extension, they could easily fail any child in a similar situation. This is particularly haunting for me as I consider my own child.
It’s disheartening to acknowledge that the innocence of a Black child is often viewed with suspicion from the moment they are born. When the shots were fired, one officer at the scene inaccurately described Tamir as a man, stating, “Shots fired, male down.” Tamir was described as a “Black male, maybe 20,” which only fueled the fear that overwhelmed the officer who pulled the trigger without hesitation.
In a shocking turn of events, a court filing from the city’s lawyers suggested that Tamir’s death was the result of his own actions, implying that he bore responsibility for his fate. The city later issued an apology for this insensitive language, but the damage had been done. During a press conference announcing that no criminal charges would be filed against the officer responsible, the county prosecutor highlighted Tamir’s size, suggesting it contributed to the fear that led to the shooting. This narrative implied that Tamir’s very existence played a role in his death.
The prosecutor’s comments revealed a troubling reality: the system is rigged to protect law enforcement at the expense of the lives they are sworn to protect. In Ohio, a state that allows open carry of firearms, the assumption that Tamir was a threat was unfounded and rooted in systemic bias. The implications of this bias extend beyond Tamir’s case, suggesting that the rights afforded to citizens are not applied equally, particularly to Black individuals.
The Obama-era Department of Justice found that investigations into police conduct often lack impartiality, with investigators inherently siding with the officers involved. This systemic failure raises the alarming question: if the justice system could not safeguard Tamir, how many other children are at risk?
As I ponder these injustices, I am reminded of Michelle Alexander’s poignant words about discussing race and justice with her son. It’s a difficult conversation that becomes increasingly urgent in light of the current administration’s stance on civil rights and police reform. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund’s Policing Reform Campaign addresses these pressing issues head-on, advocating for the changes necessary to protect Black lives.
In the face of such overwhelming sorrow, my thoughts are with Tamir’s family, who could not celebrate another year with him. I remain committed to pursuing systemic changes that will allow all children, including my own, to enjoy their lives free from the threat of violence and injustice.
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In summary, the anniversary of Tamir Rice’s death serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for police reform and the protection of Black lives. It is a call to action for all of us to advocate for a justice system that values every child’s innocence equally.