What's Free? Cyntoia Brown Has Been Sentenced 51 Years For Killing The Man That Trafficked Her
Cyntoia Brown, a 30-year-old woman from Tennessee who has been imprisoned since she was 16 years old for killing the man who allegedly solicited her for sex, has just been served a life sentence. Cyntoia has been sentenced by the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve an additional 51 years in prison before she will be a free woman. This is a result of her year-long battle to overturn her initial conviction of first-degree premeditated murder, first-degree felony murder, and aggravated robbery, and the subsequent sentencing of life in prison at 16 years old.
Cyntoia's life story has been nothing short of heartbreaking, as she was placed for adoption at two years old, where her journey was riddled by sexual abuse, physical abuse, verbal abuse, and substance abuse. As a teenager, she was sold into the treacherous world of sex trafficking by a 43-year-old pimp "Cut Throat" who forced her into prostitution where she was subjected to even more abuse. In the documentary about her circumstances Me Facing Life: Cyntoia's Story, she gives a glimpse into the paranoia that accompanies such a horrendous experience, making it impossible for viewers not to empathize with her situation.
Nonetheless, initially in 2004, during her adolescence years, she was tried as an adult for shooting her abuser who she thought would kill her first. The Root describes her accounts during the trial:
"She said there was always a gun pointed on her during her captivity. She said she was hit, choked and dragged. She feared for her own life, and she acted out of that fear."
Cyntoia has since served 14 years in prison.
Her story has caught the attention of many people, including celebrities who lobbied for her release such as Kim Kardashian West and Rihanna. Kim even backed her legal team affording her the same defense as O.J Simpson. CNN reports that she was granted a clemency hearing in May, when at first the Board of Parole could not reach a definite answer, and then later unanimously decided to have her complete 51 years before she is to be free.
Though I am no judge, it is hard to believe that it is constitutional for a woman with such a background of abuse at the hands of the slain be detained until she is about 69 years of age. The sentence itself seems excessive, cruel, unusual, and quite frankly it seems to be a message that the legal sentence is trying to send to Black women: you do not matter.
Though the district court pointed out she wasn't sentenced to "life without parole" and just a life sentence, it burns to know that a human life can be valued so little. Regardless of the undertone of defeat that this sentence bears, we must continue to uplift and validate each other in sisterhood. Cyntoia's life matters, and each day that she is imprisoned is a reminder of the struggle of power within the justice system.
Make no mistake, our voices are also powerful and we will keep her name on our lips, spreading her story, and expressing our outrage at this injustice:
Featured image by Jae S. Lee/AP via CNN.
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New Jersey native creating a life that she loves while living in gratitude. She loves using beauty, and fashion to create a balanced lifestyle while prioritizing wellness. A devoted fur mom, and a full-time lover of laughter. She is out for revenge against the darkness by being light, taking her own advice, traveling the world, and letting you know that you are so lit! Connect with her via IG @iamzaniah and please visit Zaniahsworld.com
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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ItGirl In Motion: Paige Shari Addison Shows Us Why She's The Hostess With The Mostess
Paige Shari Addison is the epitome of an ItGirl, which is why she is one of 100 ladies on xoNecole's inaugural ItGirl 100 list in partnership with Hyundai. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Paige started her journey as a host in high school by hosting parties. Since then, she has made a career in hosting, from parties to big-name events, and she launched Strictly RNB, a platform for new artists and R&B lovers. Paige reflects on her creative path in the limited video series "ItGirl in Motion."
“My first curated event at Criminal Records was incredible. It was all for up-and-coming artists,” she says. “I needed a platform for us as a collective to be able to give ourselves the platform instead of asking for it, instead of looking for it. I was like, I want to make sure I let people get this experience that I would give as a performer but enjoy the experience with them. It was a dream come true.”
The Atlanta native also has her own line of acai bowls called Soulfull Bowls. She started it during the pandemic after events and parties shut down. But it was her love for eating acai bowls and the reactions others had to them that made her want to make it her next business move. Being open to creating new ventures in the midst of uncertainty is a bold move and one of the reasons why Paige has the “it” factor.
“Being an ItGirl means you’re just authentic. There’s an air to us. We have confidence that exudes from the way we speak, the way we put our lip gloss on, the way we walk, the way we talk. I show up as myself everytime I walk into a room. I’m hospitable, I make sure everybody’s good,” she says.
Get to know more about the hostess with the mostess in the video above.
See our ItGirl 100 list in full here. Click through the gallery below for some BTS moments of Paige and our partnership with Hyundai.
Director: Mikkoh @mikkoh
Production company: @polly___studio
Producer/AD: Samuel Cho @choboi90
Producer/Tech: Paul Nguyen @paul__winn
DP: Cristian Bernal @cristianbernal
Editor: @30inthemorning
2nd Cam: Paul Nguyen
1st AC: AJ Paug @ajpaug Gaffer: Dennis Albert @dennisalbert_
Audio Mixer: Victor Chavez @vic_the__
PA: Rick Carreno @ispeakrick
PA: Tiffany Do @tivani.doee
BTS Photo: Prime @theartofprime
Car Detail: @sud_studs @slugglobal
Creative Director @hellobosco
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@xoNecole
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Feature image by Prime/ @theartof prime