Today on HardKnock: The hashtag #MissingDCGirls have become a hot topic on social media, and have sparked public outrage as to the several cases involving missing Black and Latina teenagers in the Washington, DC area. However, there seems to be a bit of confusion as to what’s fact or fiction as it relates to Missing in Washington DC. The social media headlines of “14 Girls Have Gone Missing in DC in the Last 24 Hours.” Police say that claim is not true.
And though the specific claim may be false, activists argue the inaccuracy of the post itself should not detract from the wider issues it has highlighted: the increase numbers missing Black youth and adults in the U.S.
Joining me today on HardKnock to discuss #missingdcgirls and law enforcement’s treatment of missing youth of color is Derrica Wilson, the co-founder and president of the Black and Missing Foundation Inc., a Maryland-based non-profit organization whose mission is to bring awareness to missing persons of color; provide vital resources and tools to missing person’s families and friends and to educate the minority community on personal safety.