By Javar Juarez, CUBNSC Columbia, S.C. - At the dawn of 2025, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department made headlines with the tragic shooting of a K-9 deputy, Bumi. A 13-year-old boy fired the shots that killed Bumi during a high-speed chase involving stolen vehicles. The incident sparked outrage, culminating in Sheriff Leon Lott holding the boy’s mother, Shameka Williams, accountable for her son’s actions. Williams faces criminal charges, a civil lawsuit, and intense public scrutiny for her alleged failure to supervise her child.
The death of a dog—though tragic—elicited far more public outcry than the brutal killing of 13-year-old Ka’Niyah Baker, who was stabbed, bludgeoned, and burned in a Columbia home just weeks later. This disparity in outrage reveals a deeply troubling trend: the selective prioritization of justice and empathy in our community, particularly when Black children are the victims.
Columbia's Black Community: Outrage Misplaced and Priorities Misaligned
Sheriff Lott’s plans to actively enforce existing laws that hold parents accountable for their children’s actions bring renewed attention to measures that have often been underutilized in South Carolina. However, while the focus has landed squarely on parental responsibility, little attention has been paid to the systemic issues fueling juvenile crime. Poverty, lack of resources, and a fractured sense of community continue to push families to their breaking points.
The death of Ka’Niyah Baker, described by Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook as "heinous, vicious, and monstrous," barely registered on the public's radar compared to Bumi’s death. Ka’Niyah’s murder should have galvanized the community into action, but the silence is deafening.
Bishop Eric Davis of Word of God International Ministries has called this trend a failure of the “communal effect”—the collective accountability and support that once defined Columbia's Black Community. Davis reminded us of a time when neighbors held one another accountable, when children were grounded by a village of elders, teachers, and leaders. Today, that village has eroded.
The Roots of the Problem
The graph above and the accompanying table showcase the challenges faced by parents in Richland County as reported in the Broad River Business Alliance's survey of 432 respondents. Here's a summary of the key findings:
36% of parents indicated that financial strain was causing them to be more absent from home.
80% admitted to using marijuana as a coping mechanism.
41% highlighted a lack of family and community support as a significant barrier to effective parenting.
60% felt that Richland County school districts were not as helpful as they could be.
47% stated they could not afford extracurricular activities, including sports.
62% cited a lack of transportation as a major factor stymying household growth.
15% identified themselves as survivors of violence and/or sexual abuse.
This data highlights systemic issues impacting family dynamics and community support, providing critical insights for addressing these challenges effectively.
While critics demand accountability from struggling parents, they fail to address the structural inequities that make effective parenting nearly impossible for many families. Political leaders, both Republican and Democrat, have largely ignored these realities, focusing instead on punitive measures rather than proactive solutions.
One of the most glaring omissions in these conversations is the impact of substance abuse, particularly the overindulgence in cannabis and vaping products, on Black youth and families. Communities are grappling with a troubling rise in addiction to high-potency cannabis strains and the addictive substances found in popular vaping products. While national data suggests that non-Hispanic White youth engage in e-cigarette use at the highest rates, state and regional studies show a starkly different picture for marginalized groups. A 2019 study in Utah revealed that Black, Hispanic/Latino, Native Hawaiian, and other minority youth were significantly more likely than their white peers to engage in lifetime and past 30-day vaping. This data underscores the need for targeted community-level approaches to combat these issues, particularly in Black communities.
The proliferation of smoke shops and liquor stores in predominantly Black neighborhoods further exacerbates the problem. These establishments often normalize substance use and disproportionately expose vulnerable youth to harmful substances. As of 2019, more than 35% of high school students nationwide had used an e-cigarette at least once, with over 20% reporting use in the past month. This alarming trend mirrors the rising availability of cannabis products and vaping devices, which are often marketed as harmless or even beneficial through media and popular culture. Music, movies, and television frequently glamorize cannabis use, perpetuating the misconception that it is free of consequences.
The mental health risks associated with long-term cannabis use are especially concerning for Black youth, who often face compounding societal stressors like systemic racism, economic disparity, and environmental hardships. Research links prolonged cannabis use to heightened risks of depression, anxiety, psychosis, and even suicidal ideation. For many Black youth, substance use becomes a coping mechanism to navigate these stressors, exacerbating a cycle of dependency and mental health struggles.
Peer pressure and media influence also play significant roles in initiating and sustaining cannabis use among Black youth. Social circles that normalize substance use and portray it as a rite of passage can be deeply persuasive. Media depictions further reinforce these behaviors, often ignoring the detrimental effects on mental and physical health.
Compounding this challenge is the enduring impact of the War on Drugs, which has disproportionately affected Black communities. Although cannabis use occurs at similar rates across racial groups, Black individuals face significantly higher arrest and conviction rates for drug-related offenses. This uneven application of the law has deepened mistrust toward law enforcement and contributed to a sense of disillusionment with the justice system in many communities. For some, substance use evolves into a form of rebellion or a coping mechanism to escape the burdens of systemic inequities and discrimination.
These interconnected issues—substance abuse, systemic inequities, and a lack of support structures—demand a more nuanced and proactive response. It is not enough to hold parents accountable without addressing the broader conditions that make effective parenting an uphill battle. Policymakers and community leaders must prioritize accessible mental health resources, addiction counseling, and educational campaigns that address the unique challenges faced by Black youth. Additionally, efforts to reduce the density of smoke shops and liquor stores in Black neighborhoods would significantly mitigate exposure to harmful substances.
By addressing these systemic factors, we can create environments that empower parents and provide youth with healthier alternatives to cope with their challenges. Only then can we begin to break the cycle of addiction, inequality, and neglect that continues to plague our communities.
A Community in Crisis
The systemic neglect of Black communities—manifested through gentrification, lack of opportunity, and underfunded education—has created fertile ground for despair, poverty, and violence. As Columbia’s urban core continues to gentrify, Black families are increasingly pushed to the margins, where resources are limited and opportunities scarce. Youth growing up in these underserved areas often lack access to positive role models, extracurricular programs, or safe environments. In their search for belonging and purpose, many fall prey to the allure of gangs and other criminal activities.
The cycle of poverty, trauma, and violence cannot be broken in isolation. It requires a collective acknowledgment that the lives of our children must take precedence. Yet, the Black community has, in many ways, become desensitized to the loss of its young lives—numbed by the ceaseless wave of tragedies that often go unacknowledged and unresolved.
The Path Forward
Community leaders like Bishop Davis emphasize the importance of returning to the foundational values that once strengthened the fabric of our neighborhoods: mutual accountability, shared responsibility, and a commitment to raising children collectively. However, these efforts must go beyond moral imperatives and tackle the structural barriers that perpetuate the crisis. Addressing these challenges requires:
Investment in Comprehensive Community Programs Resources for counseling, addiction recovery, childcare, and after-school activities must become staples in every neighborhood. Local governments must prioritize funding for these programs, which serve as lifelines for families struggling to provide stability and opportunity.
Systemic Advocacy and Policy Reform Real change requires addressing the roots of inequality. Gerrymandering, healthcare disparities, and inequitable education systems must be challenged and reformed to provide all families a fair chance at success. Policies that reduce the prevalence of predatory businesses, like smoke shops and liquor stores, in Black neighborhoods are critical to creating healthier environments for youth.
Revitalizing Communal Accountability The ethos of “it takes a village” must be restored. Neighbors, faith leaders, and community organizations must work together to look out for one another's children, fostering an environment where no child feels neglected or unsupported. This also means creating spaces where parents can share resources, mentorship, and encouragement to overcome common challenges.
A Call to Action
The disparity between the public outcry for K-9 Bumi and the lack of similar outrage for children like Ka’Niyah Baker is a painful reminder of how misplaced priorities can undermine justice and humanity. The Black community must reclaim its narrative, focusing on what truly matters: the safety, well-being, and future of its children.
It’s time for parents, educators, clergy, policymakers, and neighbors to come together with renewed urgency. We must create a coalition of care and accountability to ensure that no child is left to face the harsh realities of life alone. The village must rise again—not out of nostalgia but necessity.
Justice, equity, and empathy cannot be reserved for animals or abstract ideals; they must center on our children. If we channel even a fraction of our energy into ensuring their safety, dignity, and success, we can honor the memory of lives lost and build a brighter future for generations to come.
Let this not be another year of empty promises and unresolved tragedies. Let this be the year we demand justice and equity for the most vulnerable among us—our children.
Reference video:
Barbara Sizemore (December 17, 1927 – July 24, 2004) was an American teacher and researcher in the field of education. In 1973, she became the first African American woman to head the public school system in a major city, when she was elected superintendent of District of Columbia Public Schools.
Comments