I never like sharing these stories here, but I need people to understand that Black children are not safe. BAYPORT, Long Island — Three generations of women pleaded not guilty this week in the brutal death of 7-year-old Jor'Dynn Duncan, who prosecutors say was systematically tortured and abused over months, with the violence meticulously documented on a cellphone. Emily Kelly, 50; her mother, Barbara Renner, 75; and Kelly's daughter, Elyssa Seymore, 24, appeared before a Suffolk County judge Tuesday as the courtroom filled with family and supporters wearing pink—Jor'Dynn's favorite color. Jor'Dynn died on December 29, 2025, from a massive untreated infection caused by sharp force injuries. An autopsy revealed approximately 90 injuries on her body, with at least 20 older scars consistent with whippings. Most injuries were inflicted in the final 48 hours of her life. "This was months of alleged systematic cruelty and sadistic abuse, meticulously documented," said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney. "The child was allegedly left to die while these defendants watched her deteriorate." Emily Kelly was the fiancée of Jor'Dynn's incarcerated father. Suffolk County Child Protective Services placed the child in Kelly's home in December 2024, and a family court judge granted Kelly full custody in April 2025—removing Jor'Dynn from her biological mother, Portia Duncan. Prosecutors say Kelly began abusing Jor'Dynn in January 2025. The child missed 40 days of school; Kelly provided fabricated excuses including a Disney World trip and false mental health claims. Investigators recovered photos and videos from Kelly's phone documenting the abuse, including images of Jor'Dynn restrained and covered in feces. Emily Kelly faces second-degree murder and could receive 25 years to life. Barbara Renner is charged with second-degree manslaughter. Elyssa Seymore is charged with unlawful imprisonment. All pleaded not guilty. The case has sparked urgent questions about child protective services failures. Jor'Dynn's family is examining whether "system flaws or failures" allowed the abuse to continue undetected. The defendants return to court in early August.

Not all activism is created equal. The line between real activism and performative activism has never been more important to draw. One strengthens movements. The other drains energy, spreads misinformation, and fractures solidarity. TL;DR - Performative activism = optics over impact. It looks good and sounds good, but doesn’t generate real change. - Real activism shows up in many forms, from public comment campaigns to protests, parenting, art, and community organizing. - Everyone has a different role to play. We cannot expect every single person to behave and engage the same way because all have different circumstances, privileges, educations, identities, and situations that dictate what's realistic (and safe) for us. - The harm of performative activism is that it distracts, erodes trust, and undermines those doing the actual work. - Accountability is different. It’s valid to ask people with power, platforms, or privilege to step up in meaningful ways. - We don’t all have to do everything. Specializing in one area deeply can be just as powerful as touching on everything superficially. - Everyone starts somewhere. Sometimes, the most impactful work that you do won't be visible to others, and that's okay. All that matters is we keep trying our best and keep moving forward. In other words: The difference isn’t about how loud you are or how polished you look. It’s about whether your actions move us closer to justice or just make you look like you care. Performative Activism vs Real Activism: What It Is, Why It’s Harmful, and How to Do Better

We talked about performative behaviors in deconstructing and the intersections of how that presents in ourselves and out in the world. The slide show https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1SwBqkly1cW60yRWAZYky3UD4lL11cmGNh_0qGKQBy0o/edit?usp=sharing Study Sundays is a space for folks who want to deepen race literacy, unpack conditioning, and practice accountability in community. We’ll learn together through discussion, reflection, and shared study.

Welcome to Deconstructing Race, Racism & Theatre! Drop: 🎭 Your name & pronouns 📍 Where you’re joining from 🖤 One reason you joined 📸 A photo of your workspace, rehearsal room, or favorite creative corner Bonus: If your life were a play right now, what would this chapter be called?

Read the article and look at how they frame it, is it neutral? Who is absolved of responsibility? Who was punished? Who gets to be innocent? According to the district, principal Hoseth told Ray that she wouldn’t be able to wear what he had identified as a cape unaccompanied by or attached to a graduation gown. Hoseth was not familiar with sacred button blankets and was not told that Ray’s “cape” was in fact tribal regalia, the district said. TPS denied that Hoseth had instructed a staff member to confiscate it. “The Defendant admits the action of Principal Hoseth was a mistake,” the district wrote in its court-filed response to the lawsuit. “However, Principal Hoseth’s mistake was due to a lack of knowledge, awareness, and information and not discriminatory motive or animus.” TPS also noted that students who wore a grass skirt and lei during the graduation were not authorized to do so by school staff, but some students were permitted to wear sashes or stoles related to their participation in interscholastic or extracurricular activities. _____TLDR A Native student sought to wear tribal regalia during high school graduation in Tacoma. Gracie Ray was prevented by Lincoln High in 2024. The district called it a mistake. Ray sued for discrimination. Tacoma Public Schools settled the lawsuit. Read at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article316140520.html#storylink=cpy