Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Greg Johnson, Dallas, Texas — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:13:09 GMT

Its a sad situation what this young man did to this Beautiful promising young woman.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Donnie, Washington, D.C. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:38:01 GMT

Great article. Rebkah is a testament to what a little willpower and intelligence can do.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Fannita Billups Enterprise, AL — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:53:19 GMT

I think it's sad when any one goes missing but, when you start choosing white over any race it's sad. We must keep praying for this country. America the land of the freedom we must come together as one.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Stephanie Sedgley, North Salt Lake, UT — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:08:51 GMT

I'm glad to see the media is finally letting the public see reality. Reality is that all ages, races and sexes disappear. All people should be on the lookout for all missing not just the few the news chooses the public to respond to. There needs to be more public awareness from the media. I feel if the public is made aware of how many missing person cases there actually are, the public might be a little more afraid. I feel the public should be made afraid. It is a reality that anyone can become a missing person. The public should be made aware of this.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

KS, Charlotte, NC — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:34:07 GMT

I read your article in 2005 and completely agree. Once I started pointing it out to friends and family they noticed too, but no one had ever thought much about it. We simply trust the media too much, and believe that they will bring us unbiased and even coverage. Unfortunately that doesn't seem to be the case. Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the world, hopefully things can now change and we can remember ALL of those who need our help!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

jedi knight — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:42:44 GMT

This story really drives homes the need for racial equality. I think it's an issue that doesn't have any easy answers but it starts with each of us. We have to put aside prejudices of past generations and become color-blind. It starts in the home as most things do. What do we teach our children?? Frankly, I don't care if my daughters date someone of ethnicity. The most important thing to me are values. Is that person going to treat my daughter with respect and admiration? For his sake, he'd better. How a person lives his/her life is tantamount. The color of his skin is irrelevant to me. I wished the racial divide wasn't here still. We can change it though. Let's start with ourselves and our children.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

kenny, sarasota, FL — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:09:31 GMT

No comments yet? Sad but predictable. The executives may not be racist, but you would never know by the coverage given to missing minorities. We have come a long way since slavery and the civil rights movement, but we obviously have a long way to go. God bless and take care of ALL Americans, regardless to race, sex, religion, or sexual orientation.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

B Willis, Dallas Texas — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:19:31 GMT

This is truly sad. A young woman was missing. It should not matter what her race or gender was. But, here in the good old US of A, bigotry, racism, hatred are still alive and kicking.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Cynthia Medina, Bronx, N.Y. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:45:43 GMT

I noticed this issue years ago with media not covering minority disappearance stories. I'm glad this matter is finally getting some exposure and will hopefully one day, find a solution.

When one American is missing, everyone of us should be concerned & aware. Regardless of race, gender, age....we are all in this together!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Lastgoodguy Placerville CA — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:46:37 GMT

It is a sad commentary that a day after this article was published there are no other comments. Any missing person should get the same respect and due process. Somewhere is afamily member grieving.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Sadie Jude, L.A. California — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:57:14 GMT

I like that NBC admits that they were wrong in denying coverage of Tamika's disappearance, but the fact is that this is the way it is. Things have to change, but probably arn't going to.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

t, montgomery, AL — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:04:59 GMT

Some things never change.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

GLORIA M. — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:05:49 GMT

I AM A MATURE BLACK FEMALE AND I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE IS A VAST DIFFENCE IN THE REPORTING OF MISSING MINORITY WOMEN AND MEN. AFTER ALL MINORITIES NOW MAKE UP A GREAT MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY IN POPULATION. THE MEDIA IS CONTROLLED BY THE MINORITY (WEALTHY). MAYBE IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE WILL NOT BE READING ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. THANK YOU!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Killeen, TX — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:16:47 GMT

Great job Josh!!! I think this is a step in the right direction when it comes to re-constructing equality in the media.

Thank you!!!!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Brenda Londin, Salem, OR — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:19:11 GMT

How sad a story is this? And how ironic that no messages on the article had been posted either! We are definitely due for a wake-up call, both the news media and its devouring public audience. I've never been quite sure if above statement is true -- what works is what you, the viewer, will see more of -- those of us that enjoy watching the news in order to stay more informed are stuck watching what you are dishing out as "news". Dateline is better than a lot of them out there and it is nice to see you admit that even you had ignored reporting on this case. Let's remember that everyone's story is important, regardless of how marketable their appeal.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Dominique, Houston, Texas — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:34:06 GMT

I would like to first commend Tamika's aunt Rebkah. She is very honorable. As a black woman, I have noticed the prejudice of white missing children on television vs black children that are missing. I can't count how many times I have seen the same re-run story of the Caylee Anthony case or the case of little Haleigh on the news. I don't think its right to forget or ignore the minorities that are missing and exploited. People get away with these crimes, because we let them; by ignoring our children.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Kevin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:56:18 GMT

That's interesting. While I was reading this article, I pictured the missing woman as white. And I am a person of color.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

carroll jones — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:53:29 GMT

No, I don't believe Her color had made a differance,there just must be some unusual circumstances to catch The Media's attention there are many missing Men & Women White,Black or Brown that never get National attention.It is great The Foundation has been created by Her Aunt.Most of the Missing don't have someone to care this much about Them.30 yrs ago a white Jane Doe was found in Our Area Her Identity is still unknown.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

lynda rosemus — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:45:38 GMT

My heart goes out to all those w/missing loved ones. Good luck with your outreach program!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

N/A — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:50:29 GMT

Wow! What a powerful message that we all can learn from. What a tragic way to teach us about our ignorance. Tamika did not die in vain... her story and the lessons that I hope both the media and we; the viewers learn from her families experience will save lives in the furture and bring awareness to injustice!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Josie, Minneapolis, MN — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 02:29:39 GMT

It's definitely about time!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Carrie H, Kihei, HI — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:07:07 GMT

Thank God someone is finally figuring out we are all humans! It should NEVER matter what color a missing person is...WE SHOULD TRY to find them all!!!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Barbara Haldeman, McKinney, Texas — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:46:42 GMT

This is so true and so sad. I am so sorry and I apologize for that truth. Ratings are so important that they help create a nation of people who can tell you who won on American Idol two years ago, but don't know who their senators are or what the three branches of government are. I am sorry Tamika.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

V Louis — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 06:44:46 GMT

Wow, just reading this makes me want to cry. Because I have a child and I just think what if she goes missing. No one will really take it serious because she's black!!!!

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Barbara — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 10:13:37 GMT

The color of ones skin should not be important here but all too many times it is. Thats the way of things when your Black or native or just not white. People forget that GOD created all of us, were not just one skin color. We are many different shades.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

William Englsh, Brooklyn, NY — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:55:40 GMT

It is so unfortunate that even with so many advances, victins of color are still largely ignored because the are invisible to the mainstream media. The fate of the victims then rests with the media's indifference to problems affecting that community.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Ronnie - Winnipeg Manitoba — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:40:37 GMT

We are marginalized and the forgotten. In Canada 400 Aboriginal woman are missing or their murders unsolved. I am middle class Aboriginal woman as is my sisters and daughter, we know if we were the victims the police would take our photos and try to identify us by asking the homeless/drug dealers and prostitutes in low track area of our city if we were known to them. Unfortunately that is our reality, we are not valued by our society, and our deaths/disappearances ignored.

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Roger Olson, Waco, TX — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:45:46 GMT

Why does Dateline do so few stories about missing boys and men? Almost all the stories of kidnapping, murder or just missing persons are about girls or women. Is there a gender bias at work in this pattern?

Bringing a voice to an invisible murder: An update on a Dateline story

Katy, Springfield, Missouri — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:32:39 GMT

Tragic...absolutely tragic. You know, I never realized how media is almost 100% geared toward caucasions until I walked into a Bank of America a year ago. As a white female I subconsciously am used to seeing ads geared toward whites. When I walked into the bank, I noticed none of the ads/posters/stand-up cardboard cut outs were featuring white people. I was embarassed to realize I wouldn't have thought twice if all of the advertisement was geared toward caucasions, because I'm so used to it, but because all of the models were Asian, Black, Indian, Etc... it caught my attention. I was saddened to think how it must feel to be a minority and be surrounded by media geared toward everyone but you. Saddened and ashamed for never having noticed before.