#sayhername nia wilson

Sunday night in Oakland California, two women were stabbed on the city’s transportation BART. 18 year old Nia Wilson and her sister Letifah were stabbed in the throat in an unprovoked attack by John Cowell.

The stabbings occurred around 9:45 p.m. at MacArthur Station. A witness stated that no words or any type of altercation between 27 year old Cowell and the sisters happened before he attacked. In fact, Nia and Letifah were helping a woman with her stroller transfer onto the train when Cowell attacked. The station was shut down Sunday night after the incident, however it reopened Monday morning.

On parole, Cowell was not only able to carry a weapon onto BART, but was also able to get back on the station the next day after his attack. He was finally caught Monday evening via call in by a passenger who recognized his face.

via abc7news

People are outraged by how the media chose to label the attack as “random” rather than indicating that this was an act done by a white supremist against two black women. Public displays of violence turned fatalities is growing at an alarming rate in this country, especially in terms of racial differences.

While the argument that this attack was racially charged, it is important to note that the continued abuse against women remains secondary, even in race-related instances. The media is the first to belittle the gravity of this societal issue. The fact that misogynistic motives are hardly spoken about even though there is a connection to anti-racial behavior is baffling. ​If you still can't grasp the connection of misognic influence here, think of it this way. Cowell was unprovoked and still attacked two women with the intent to kill, IN A PUBLIC PLACE.

To have such a level of entitlement to not only take a life, but to do so publicly is not only disgusting by psychologically disturbing. Nia and Letifah's attacks are heartbreaking, however this type of violent behavior against women is absolutely nothing new. Domestic violence, stalking, sexual harassment, catcalling are instances of this. This same type of violent behavior, this time against the public is also on the rise, thanks to mass shootings and white supremists rallies.

Both misogyny and racism share ideologies of separation and male dominance— and until we as a society change accountability from victim to perpetrator, these violent acts will continue.