Missing 5-Year-Old Jhessye ShockleyThere are several striking similarities between the disappearances of 10-month-old baby Lisa Irwin and 5-year-old Jhessye Shockley. Both children are girls, both were last seen in their homes. Lisa has been missing for over a week, Jhessye has been missing for nearly a week. Police investigating both cases have been challenged by strings of dead-end tips and a lack of evidence in general. The mothers of both Lisa and Jhessye have made tearful televised pleas for their children's safe return.
Right about now you may be wondering why you haven't heard more about Jhessye Shockley, or maybe even why you haven't heard of her at all, when Lisa Irwin's story has been plastered all over the news.
The fact of the matter is, you probably haven't heard much about Jhessye Shockley because of the one striking difference between her and Lisa Irwin:
Lisa Irwin is white. Jhessye Shockley is black.
I know it's a hard and ugly truth to swallow, representative of a reality we don't want to believe exists anymore. But sadly, nothing else explains why the country is currently obsessed with finding Lisa Irwin and largely unaware that Jhessye Shockley is even lost.
We know everything there is to know about Lisa Irwin's mother, Deborah Bradley, from the details of her divorce to what she had to drink the night Lisa vanished. Meanwhile, Jhessye Shockley's mother was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2006 for "injury to a child" and deemed a "threat to the well-being of her children," and no one seems to know or care how or why she got out of jail early.
Jhessye's three siblings are now in the custody of Child Protective Services, while Lisa Irwin's two brothers are at home, being sheltered from the press.
The main thing, one might argue, is that both girls return home safely, not how much attention their individual cases get. But when it comes to missing children, often the higher profile a disappearance, the higher the likelihood that child will be found.
The situation is already tragic. Now it's tragically unjust.
Do you think Jhessye Shockley's race is the reason why she isn't getting as much attention as Lisa Irwin?
Image via Glendale, AZ Police Department
Ashley Is a Widow Who Stays Strong...
This Hot Dad Wants to Vacuum Your Rug
This Hot Dad Wants to Do Your Ironing
KStew Refuses to Shower
Comments 1117
You missed it on this one. I live in Missouri and have heard just as much about the Arizona girl as the one here in my own state. I think you rushed to use the race card in order to get another article out. It says you are easily and often tired and require constant entertainment to stay awake. I hope that is not what drove you to write this. If you follow the news there is no shortage of reporting on either of these girls. I don't know how professional you consider yourself but this was very unprofessional.
About the author Jacqueline Burt
has written for numerous magazines, newspapers, and websites. She is easily bored and often tired, so she requires constant entertainment to keep her awake. Dance, Monkey! Dance!
Liberals run the media. Liberals aren't racist, everyone knows that. This article is ridiculous. Go away.
yeah I agree..it's getting to be really stupid..everything has to be about race and it's a total joke! find something else to complain about people!
I agree, if these cases don't speak racism, at least this post gave us a chance to see who is oblivious to racism and favoritism, and who is open minded, and shows us that many just don't see it or are part of the racism problem.
This kind of thing always happens. It sucks a lot...
Here is a site for all of you "nay" sayers. This site brings to the light about missing black people or crimes dealing with black people. Im sure there are probably LOADS of stories you haven't heard about. WWW.PROJECTNEWERA.COM This site hasn't been updated since June, but you'll get my point when you go.
lol this has NOTHING to do with race.... im pretty sure everyone cares that the "black" girl is missing... why do you have to say it like that??