Thanks to the homey Pretty Brown Girl for allowing me to see the bigger picture and for inspiring this post.

I’m sure most of you have heard the name Charles Ramsey.  He’s done countless interviews for being a hero.  And I know you’ve heard of Amanda Berry, Michelle Knight, and Gina DeJesus.  Oh, you haven’t??? Well, those are the three women that Mr. Ramsey saved, and they have been held captive for 10 years.  These women endured such horrors that I could never imagine.  And all have lived to be reunited with their families.  I do feel for Amanda Berry.  Her mother died in 2006, believing her daughter was dead.

Yesterday morning, a co-worker came up to me and asked if I had seen the interview with Mr. Ramsey.  When I had no clue to what he was referring, he gave me a brief update of the story and strongly suggested I see the video with this man.  Not because he was so eloquent or poised or looked nice.  Or because he felt that I should know about the three women that were rescued.  But because Mr. Ramsey could be viewed as a non-desirable.  Most people having been talking about Mr. Ramsey, from his appearance to his speech to his being a hero.  And while most of us have been focused on him, who is focusing on the victims? Has anyone offered to give them counseling?  Or an education?  Or a home?  Or any resources that they will need after being held captive and being abused for so long?

In short, we need to do better.  Sure, Mr. Ramsey was in the right place at the right time and risked his life to save others.  But let’s not forget these women who completely lost their innocence.  Let’s not forget these women who have been traumatized and victimized and abused for 10+ years.  Let’s not forget that they will need help in order to function as loving, healthy adults.  Don’t forget the girls.  Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city.