Lost in Brick City (Sakia Gunn)

We Would Be Dead

Newark NJ can be a difficult place to grow up in. The crime rate is high, the income rate is low and gun violence is not an uncommon sight. Fortunately Newark has seen improvements in the last 20 years but in in 2003, when Sakia Gunn and her friends walked the litter lined streets, Newark was one of the scariest places on the east coast. A young black lesbian like Sakia would need support in Brick city if they wanted to survive, and luckily she found it in friends, family and basketball. Sadly, all that didn't matter on May 11th 2003 when a stranger got out of his car and stabbed her as she waited for a bus at 3 am with her friends. This story may seem simple, but it is far from it. Sakia's story is considered a landmark case in the LGBTQ+ community which may leave you wondering, why is this the first time you're hearing of it?

*Sakia's story is the first case in our pride month series. This episode does include a brief synopsis of the history of pride and the Stonewall Riots, if you're unfamiliar with these events this is a good place to begin. #wewouldbeproud

Learn More:

Sakia Gunn Remembered by Keith Boykin

Braving the Streets Her Way by Anne Hull (part one of The Washington Post coverage)

Using Her Voice to Rise Above by Anne Hull (part 2)

Dreams Deferred: The Sakia Gunn Film Project on Vimeo

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