Commentary

Commentary – Racial Injustice, Domestic Violence and the Shelter Movement

Published

5 years ago

September 24, 2020

Racial injustice negatively impacts the fight against domestic violence and intimate partner abuse so this is a good moment to examine policies, procedures and historical practices and the way in which they impact black families.

Even though Black women are more likely to suffer domestic violence than other groups, racism exists in the institutions designed to support them.

According to Linda Ammons, a longtime dean of the Widener School of Law, “A study of the shelter movement in America led a researcher to conclude that Black women are ignored in the policymaking, planning, and implementation of shelter service.”

My work with survivors started in the early 1980s at an Oakland shelter led by white women, housing predominately Black clients. In my early experiences working on the crisis hotline, I got calls from Black women complaining about being evicted or rejected from white-led shelters.

Many Black women have left shelters or have been excluded due to misunderstandings about cultural differences. “African American women hesitate to seek help from shelters,” continued Ammons, “because they believe that shelters are for white women. Because the shelters are associated with the women’s movement, and many Black women are estranged from women’s politics, they may feel that only white women’s interests are served in the shelters.”

Today, many of these shelters continue to reflect white norms, and few Black women are represented in national leadership.

The other aspect facing Black survivors is racism in the criminal justice system. Historically, even in situations where Black women are living in an unsafe home, they have refrained from calling the police. Black women feel they are doing ‘harm’ to Black men and the Black community by involving law enforcement.

The courts, by incarcerating a disproportionate number of Black men and women survivors of domestic violence, reinforce this level of distrust.

Feminista Jones in Time magazine wrote: “As Black people, we don’t always feel comfortable surrendering “our own” to the treatment of a racially biased police state and as women, we don’t always feel safe calling police officers who may harm us instead of helping us.”

It is difficult to combat domestic violence in Black communities where women and their children have been taught to keep silent.

Domestic violence programs, most serving vulnerable populations, are now dealing with both the impact of COVID-19 and the reality of centuries of systematic, institutional racial oppression.

But what we must do now is build practices that support Black survivors. We invite all to join in our fight to end this societal epidemic that ravages our Black families.

Our job at A Safe Place is to lift up the voices of our Black sisters and brothers as we combat domestic violence while creating a zero-tolerance of such behavior to make the world a better place for our most precious resource, our children.
Carolyn Russell, MA, MSW, is a 30-year veteran advocate and policymaker in the Battered Women‘s Movement. For 26 years she has served as the executive director of A Safe Place, the City of Oakland’s first battered women’s shelter and comprehensive domestic violence prevention and support services organization.

Michelle Snider

Associate Editor for The Post News Group. Writer, Photographer, Videographer, Copy Editor, and website editor documenting local events in the Oakland-Bay Area California area.

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Associate Editor for The Post News Group. Writer, Photographer, Videographer, Copy Editor, and website editor documenting local events in the Oakland-Bay Area California area.

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Activism

Oakland Post: Week of December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – December 31, 2025 – January 6, 2026

Published

4 days ago

January 2, 2026

Oakland Post

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Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

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2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More

Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.

Published

1 week ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). File photo.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.

She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.

What stands out as your most important achievement this year?

Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.

How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?

The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.

What frustrated you the most this year?

The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.

What inspired you the most this year?

The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.

What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?

As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?

Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?

Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.