Outrage over the killing of 11-year-old Monica Goods by police

Background of the case and its wider context

Goods' death during a 2020 traffic stop reflects a disturbing trend of black girls being subjected to excessive force by police. Baldner — who is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree reckless endangerment — allegedly rammed his police vehicle into the Goods family's car, causing it to overturn and trapping Goods inside, according to the Times Herald Record. This case comes amid growing concerns about the treatment of black girls, who are often viewed as less innocent due to racist stereotypes – a reality tragically reflected in the higher murder rates among young black girls in the US, as 2021 statistics show, according to The Guardian.

The case of Aiyana Stanley-Jones, a seven-year-old girl killed during a raid in Detroit in 2010, is another poignant example of this systemic violence. Stanley-Jones' death, which occurred during a controversial police operation, shows how black girls can be viewed as collateral damage in police actions, underscoring the urgent need for reform.

Stereotypes about black girls and the police

Research shows that black girls are often perceived as more “adult” than their white peers, a phenomenon known as “adultification.” This leads to harsher treatment and a lack of empathy from law enforcement and authority figures. In Goods' case, her death is not just a tragic accident, but a reflection of the dangers black girls and their families face in a society that criminalizes their existence and views them as threats rather than children in need of protection.

These harmful perceptions continue in schools, where black girls face disproportionately high rates of police intervention, suspensions, and expulsions. They are “four times more likely to be arrested at school than their white peers, three times more likely to be taken to the police, and twice as likely to be physically restrained” – often for minor offenses, NBC News reported in 2022. This pattern mirrors the violence black girls face outside of school, leading to deadly outcomes in encounters with police.

Legal developments and the fight for justice

After an initial ruling dismissed the murder charge against Baldner on the grounds that there was no evidence he acted with “depraved indifference,” Attorney General Letitia James successfully appealed the decision. The appeals court's reinstatement of the murder charge represents a significant step toward justice for Goods. But the case is also a stark reminder of the systemic issues that affect law enforcement's treatment of Black girls.

The decision is in line with growing public calls for accountability, particularly in cases involving vulnerable black children. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, Baldner's defenders – including the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association – have argued that reinstating the murder charge could set a dangerous precedent for officers who Times Herald Record This defense perpetuates a disturbing narrative that puts the interests of law enforcement above the lives of black girls like Goods.

Further impacts

Goods' death is not an isolated incident, but part of a broader pattern of violence against black girls that is often overlooked in discussions about police brutality and systemic racism. The stereotypes that portray black girls as more “mature” contribute to a system that fails to protect them in school hallways or on public streets. Goods and Stanley-Jones are tragic reminders of the vulnerability of black girls in a society that too often fails to protect them.