Let’s Not Have the Media—Nor The Police—Define Korryn Gaines
Let’s Not Have the Media—Nor The Police—Define Korryn Gaines
“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” ― Malcolm X
Who was Korryn Gaines, the 23-year old woman shot and killed by Baltimore County Police last week, after a six-hour standoff? An incident that also resulted in her 5-year old son also being shot, though he’s reportedly in fair condition.
The media is portraying her as a mentally deranged woman with brain damage due to lead poisoning ― who both hated and wanted to kill police, and who desired suicide by cops.
Wow!
In a story posted by the Baltimore Sun, the reporter wrote about a 2012 lawsuit which Gaines had brought against two landlords because of her being exposed to lead paint. According the Sun, the suit – which is still pending – claimed the exposure lowered Gaines’ IQ and went on to say that because of the paint Gaines had issues with “anger and impulsive behavior.”
The Washington Post – without giving any context – said Gaines “followed the rapper David Banner, who released a video called ‘Black Fist’ in which a police officer is tied up, beaten bloody and stabbed.”
Of course all the media also detailed the facts in the case; most of which was given to them by police authorities.
At that point, according to Johnson, an officer fired one round at Gaines. Gaines fired two shots back at the police, who then fire three shots in her direction – one of which kills her.
How does a lawsuit, lead paint, or the name of a rapper whom Gaines followed on Instagram ― who is also followed by more than 145,000 other people ― fit into the story? What does the videotape she posted of her traffic stop in March have to do with her death on Monday? Remember, she didn’t point a gun at the police then.
Some might say the media added those details to give background or color, or suggest possible motives for the incident.
The reality is it’s conjecture, supposition, and hyperbole.
And a lot of people are buying it.
If there’s something in a news story that does not DIRECTLY relate to the incident in question, you should pretty much ignore it while reading the article. Once you’ve finished reading, then go back and read it again – with the additional color and details the media adds. YOU then decide how much weight those media additions should be given.
There’s no videotape of the Gaines shooting – the Baltimore County police force were given body cameras last month, but they claim they’re “not sure” if the officers involved in Gaines’ death were wearing one.
And since the police do admit they shot first ― and later admitted it was one of their bullets that wounded Gaines’ 5-year old son ― could it be that it was that first shot that hit her son’s arm? Could it be that’s why Gaines then fired on police?
Sure, that’s more speculation. Plausible, but speculation nonetheless.
But here’s the facts:
SHE DID NOTHING WRONG. SHE DID NOTHING ILLEGAL. You are not obligated to let the police or anyone into your home unless they have a search warrant. Not an arrest warrant.
The gun she possessed was legally obtained.
And as far as pointing a gun at the police? In the climate in which we live, if police officers kicked my door in, I would point a gun at them, too – because I would fear for my life and the lives of my family.
Based on what I’ve read, I see Korryn Gaines as a young African-American mother who was tired of all the rhetoric, the marching, and the rallying – which had up to no point made her son’s survival in this society a sure thing. I see her as a woman who decided it was time for her to defend her home with more than just words
No, she is not an insane woman, she’s a martyr for the cause.
And shame on you if you allow the media, the police, or anyone else, to make you see it any other way.