The tragic deaths of the Oliver girls have left a deep scar on the community, and justice has yet to be served. The tragedy of their deaths was compounded by the fact that they were young, innocent, and had their whole lives ahead of them. Evidence shows that the local authorities mishandled this case. The investigation into the Oliver 3 case has been plagued by mishandling and missteps. Local authorities were slow to respond to the scene, and the Texas Ranger assigned to the case has yet to return calls from concerned parties, including community leaders and family members. Community Activist Quanell X has expressed his concerns that the delay in investigating this heinous crime is most likely due to the fact that the victims are black.
Quanell X and The New Black Panther Nation held a press conference on April 6, demanding that the FBI step in and investigate the case. With a population of 28,539, Cass County does not have enough resources to handle three homicides effectively. This investigation needs the resources and expertise of federal law enforcement to bring justice to the victims and to catch a murderer that is still on the loose.
It is unacceptable that the investigation has not received the attention it deserves, and it is becoming increasingly evident that race plays a role in how crimes are investigated in this country. David Thomas, a professor of forensic studies, has voiced his concerns about the investigation’s handling, highlighting that if the victims were white, the investigation would have received more attention.
The Oliver 3 case should serve as a reminder of the vulnerability that Black women and children face in this country. It is time to acknowledge the systemic injustices and demand action from authorities to ensure that justice is served for the Oliver children and all other victims of such crimes.
Quanell X says racial injustice in criminal investigations is common
The Oliver 3 case is not an isolated incident, but rather a reflection of the systemic injustices faced by black women and children in this country. According to a study conducted by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, 35% of missing children are Black, despite Black children comprising only 14% of the U.S. population. The disparity is even more alarming for missing black girls, who are often overlooked and receive less attention from law enforcement than their white counterparts.
Quanell X says that the perception that race plays a role in how crimes are investigated in this country is not unfounded. There are numerous examples of cases where black victims have been overlooked or disregarded by law enforcement. The case of Tamla Horsford, a black mother of five who died under mysterious circumstances at a slumber party in Georgia, is one such example. Despite multiple injuries and bruises found on her body, her death was initially ruled an accident. It was only after public outcry and pressure from community activists that a new investigation was launched.
The longer this investigation takes, the more difficult it will be to find the culprits, and justice delayed is justice denied. It is imperative that authorities take swift and decisive action to bring the perpetrator(s) to justice. The Oliver girls’ case should serve as a wakeup call for all of us. We must demand accountability from authorities and raise awareness about the systemic injustices that exist within our criminal justice system. We must work together to bring about meaningful change and ensure that justice is served for the Oliver children and all other victims of such crimes.