n a tragic case that has shaken the Detroit community, Jarvis Butts, 41, will stand trial for the murder of 13-year-old Na'Ziyah Harris, who disappear
My grandmothers were my safe space from wicked older males who preyed on me in childhood. I suffered in silence for years. Then, once I found the courage to lift my voice, they shielded me.
But sadly that is not the case for every Black girl.
In a tragic case that has shaken the Detroit community, Jarvis Butts, 41, will stand trial for the murder of 13-year-old Na'Ziyah Harris🕊, who disappeared on January 9, 2024. Na'Ziyah’s life was brutally cut short, allegedly at the hands of a man she trusted.
This case brings into sharp focus the urgent need to protect Black children, hold predators accountable, and dismantle harmful dynamics in families and communities that enable abuse.
A Call to Protect Black Children
Na'Ziyah’s case is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers that some of our children face within their own circles of trust.
We must address a hard truth: far too often, Black families protect predators under the guise of "keeping the family together" or avoiding outside scrutiny.
These dynamics, rooted in fear and misguided loyalty, perpetuate cycles of harm.
We must prioritize the safety and well-being of our children over the reputation of adults.
Grooming: A Silent and Dangerous Threat
Children like Na'Ziyah are not "grown"; they are groomed. Predators exploit a child’s natural curiosity and desire for attention, manipulating them into harmful situations.
This grooming is deliberate and insidious, creating an environment where children are made to feel complicit in their victimization.
An adult's predatory behavior is NEVER a child's fault.
Let's be clear: the responsibility for these crimes lies entirely with the predator. ALWAYS.
Adults Must Take Responsibility
Just as adults regulate access to alcohol, cigarettes, placing children in seat belts, and other age-restricted items, we bear the sole responsibility for ending and preventing child abuse.
Children are naturally curious—it’s part of their development—but they rely on adults to provide guidance, boundaries, and protection.
It is not the job of a 13-year-old to navigate or protect themselves from predatory behavior. That responsibility belongs to us as adults.
Communities Must Break the Cycle
This case and the lives of Black girls everywhere are a call to action for Black families and communities to break the silence and protect our children at all costs. It begins with acknowledging the harm caused by predators and those who shield them, no matter who they are or what their position may be.
We must teach our children that their safety matters, that their voice matters, and that they deserve to grow up free from fear and harm.
Let Na'Ziyah Harris's 🕊memory remind us of the work we have yet to do and inspire us to take action to protect every child, every time.
Every child matters.
Every member of the family matters.
Every child is worth protecting.
Protect girls!
* Please stop giving refuge to predators when there are children in the vicinity. I want every human being to get the help and refuge that they need but do it away from vulnerable adults and children.
*People are angry with the adults who failed to protect Na'Ziyah. This is a healthy space to be in.
Anger isn't always a "bad" emotion. Anger is an indication that we acknowledge that we have lost someone valuable. And we are tired of losing our girls this way. We are getting fed up.
None of this had to happen. Adults have a duty and responsibility to protect children. Na'Ziyah should be with us today getting all the love, support, and guidance she deserved. 🕊
