Breonna Taylor
Breonna Taylor should still be safe in her own home.
She should still be working her job on the frontlines, making a difference in the lives of others.
She should still be planning her future: becoming a nurse, getting married, buying a house, perhaps having a baby. Kenneth Walker, her boyfriend, had bought an engagement ring which his mom was keeping safe for him until he proposed. He will now never be able to.
On March 13, at 12:40am, Breonna became the collateral of a violent police raid. Though the exact details of what happened that night are unclear, what cannot be disputed is the injustice of this violence and the noticeable absence Breonna has left behind.
Queen Bre, Bosslady Breezy, Nonna, is described as the glue that pulled her family and friends together. She not only helped strangers daily in her job as an EMT, but she also continually helped the people that she loved to realize their worth and potential. In a touching story from when she was a little girl, Breonna was told by her mother that “if your friends don’t want to see you do great, they’re not your friends”, to which she responded, “I am going to help my friends be great”. That was the Bree Way.
One such friend is Alena Battle. Breonna was the godmother to Alena’s 2-year-old son. Despite the fact that the two were often far apart, they always made time for each other. For Alena, one of the greatest shocks since March 13th is that she can no longer just pick up the phone and call Breonna.
Another is Erinicka Hunter. Her and Breonna went to Western High School in Louisville together and, like many high school friends, eventually fell out. However in 2019, when Erinicka underwent brain surgery, Breonna visited her in the hospital. She was the type of person who would not hesitate to rekindle a dead friendship when her support was needed. She was not petty; she knew what was important. Erinicka has now lost her best friend only a year after they were reunited.
She was extremely close to her younger sister Ju’Niyah. Some of their favorite moments together were spent goofing around in the car, taking pictures. To Ju’Niyah, she was like a second mother. They were also roommates, often crawling into bed together to watch a movie. Ju’Niyah was out of town at the time of the shooting, a twist of fate which almost certainly saved her life.
In scanning the social media pages of those closest to Breonna such as Alena, Erinicka, and Ju’Niyah, it is eerie to see the past few months play out. In the space between two status updates, someone they love was killed. In the following two months, those who knew her grieved while her story was glossed over by the public and the media. In the span of couple weeks, that grief has become national, and her name has transformed into a hashtag and a chant amongst protesters.
However, it is important to remember the human behind the rallying cry. The person who loved to sing and cook but was not particularly talented at either. The person whose favorite foods included bananas and Fruity Pebbles. The person who loved to watch old movies, but often feel asleep after the first 3 minutes. The person who dreamt of having her first dance at her someday-wedding to “Everything” by Mary J Blige. The person who loved playing cards with her aunts and who would play board games with her coworkers to keep them awake during long shifts. The one with the big laugh and the whiny, baby voice that she was constantly teased about. Someone who was obsessed with shoes, but hated feet so much that she made her sister bring her own blanket any time they slept in the same bed to prevent their feet from touching.
As part of a Facebook post to her uncle, Breonna once wrote, “Working in health care is so rewarding. It makes me feel so happy when I know I've made a difference in someone else's life.” I wish she could know the difference she is making today. We must honor the life Breonna lived by creating true change.
Behind the Image
Some of the meanings tied to peonies include prosperity, compassion, and love. In an ancient myth, Paeon, the Greek physician of the gods, used peony root to heal Pluto. The flower is believed to be named after him. I chose the peony for Breonna as a symbol of the way that she lead her life and her passion for helping others. It also embodies the future she deserved: a happy marriage, a loving family, and a long, rewarding career in medicine. There are eight fallen petals to symbolize the eight bullet wounds that brought an end to her life and future. The tiara serves to acknowledge how she was viewed by her friends and family: beautiful, shining, and extraordinary. She was Queen Bre. The book on shoes and the bananas were selected from the long list of commonplace things she loved, to remind us of her day-to-day. The gauze is another symbol of her dedication to health care. It is not fully unwound, because she was prevented from reaching her full potential. It is also wrapped around something she loved to demonstrate her constant support of others – how she brought people together and bettered them. While some people might view themselves as bruised, she would have seen them as great. The yellow car is there as a reminder of her friendship with her sister and their favorite memories spent together. Finally, I chose to build this still life on top of a blanket rather than a sheet in homage to my favorite anecdote about her hatred of feet.
Some Sources and Further Reading
To understand what happened:
https://www.nytimes.com/article/breonna-taylor-police.html
Pieces which speak to her legacy:
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/breonna-taylor-family-friends-remember-her-greatness
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1j7rogAuUaY (interview with Breonna’s sister)
https://www.npr.org/2020/06/04/869930040/as-the-nation-chants-her-name-breonna-taylors-family-grieves-a-life-robbed ** Recommended listen
Petitions:
Where proceeds from the sale of this image will go:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/9v4q2-justice-for-breonna-taylor
https://thelovelandfoundation.org - an organization that aims to prioritize access, opportunity, and validation for young Black women and girls across the country