Justice Archives – Kansas City Defender

Missouri Waterpark Goes Viral for Racist Denial of Black Teenagers

By KC Defender Staff ● Justice ● August 8, 2022 August 9, 2022

Summit Waves, a popular water park in Lee’s Summit Missouri, is receiving scathing viral attention after a group of Black teens arrived for a party that was booked a month prior, and were denied access due to what the party-goers say is “definitely related to racism”.

Latest in Justice

COINTELPRO 2.0: FBI Raids Black Political Party in Escalating Attack on Black Activists

By KC Defender Staff ● Justice ● August 3, 2022 August 5, 2022

An exclusive interview with Chairman Yeshitela just a day after his home was raided and he and his wife survived a violent attack by the FBI.

BREAKING: School Cop, Not Black Student, Shot Principal During Olathe East Shooting

By KC Defender Staff ● Justice ● July 22, 2022 July 25, 2022

The Assistant Principal at Olathe East High School “was mostly likely shot” by Erik Clark, the school cop, and not by the Black student Jaylon Elmore.

The Future of Food: This KC Nonprofit’s Innovative Model is Bringing Fresh Food to Black Neighborhoods

By Amaia Cook ● Justice ● July 15, 2022 July 18, 2022

Kanbe’s Markets, a local KC nonprofit, has created an innovative model that is bringing fresh food to Black neighborhoods and food deserts.

Kansas City Joins Nationwide Vigil For Rezwan Kohistani, Afghan Refugee Found Hung at Missouri High School

By KC Defender Staff ● Justice ● July 14, 2022 July 14, 2022

KC Muslim Civic Initiative is hosting a vigil in remembrance of Rezwan Kohistani, a recently resettled Afghan teen who was found hung on the grounds of his high school in Webb City, Missouri.

Racism or Something Else? Why People Call to Shut Down 18th & Vine But Not Westport Following Shootings

By JT ● Kansas City ● July 12, 2022 July 12, 2022

Community members are discussing the difference in response when shootings takes place in white KC establishments (Westport) vs. Black-owned establishments like 18th & Vine.

As Right-wing Attacks on Education Escalate, Many KC Schools Ditch Equity Commitments

By SURJ KC ● Education ● July 11, 2022 July 11, 2022

As right-wing attacks on education continue to escalate nationally, Missouri-Kansas schools are ditching their commitments towards equity.

Demands for Justice Remain After Rezwan Kohistani, Afghan Refugee, Found Hanging in a Missouri HS Baseball Field

By Adin Alem ● Justice ● June 29, 2022 June 30, 2022

On May 5th, 2022 Rezwan Kohistani’s body was found hanging in a baseball field at Webb City High School in Missouri. He was only 14 years old.

Men of All Colors Together: The Kansas City organization fighting racism amidst gay men in the 80’s–90’s

By Nasir Montalvo ● LGBTQIA2+ ● June 24, 2022 July 10, 2022

In 1980, this group of Kansas Citians founded a social club and safe space for those seeking to fight racism amongst Queer men of all races.

“Lightskins Vs. Darkskins”: The Epidemic of Colorism on Social Media and in Pop Culture

By Kayla Sydnor ● Arts & Culture ● June 23, 2022 June 23, 2022

From Twitter to YouTube, many celebrities and influencers have been called out for being colorist, which is nearly synonymous with being racist in the Black community. Some call-outs occur from real-time actions and statements, while others happen due to uncovered past tweets or uploaded videos.