Collage of hopeful-looking Black youth and women with a translucent California state map overlay. The Ebony Alert System logo is prominently displayed in the center.
Diverse Faces of Hope Black youth and women overlayed with the map of California highlighting the significance of the Ebony Alert System

The Ebony Alert System: California’s Lifeline for Missing Black Youth and Women

Unveiling California’s Ebony Alert System, a groundbreaking initiative to address the racial disparities in missing persons cases involving Black youth and women.

By Darius Spearman (africanelements)

About the author: Darius Spearman is a professor of Black Studies at San Diego City College, where he has been pursuing his love of teaching since 2007. He is the author of several books, including Between The Color Lines: A History of African Americans on the California Frontier Through 1890. You can visit Darius online at africanelements.org.

Key Takeaways

  • California is the first state to implement the Ebony Alert system.
  • The system aims to address racial disparities in missing persons cases.
  • Critics argue that while it’s a step in the right direction, more needs to be done.

Introduction to the Ebony Alert System

In late September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law the Ebony Alert system, making California the first state to address the alarming rate of missing Black youth and women. This Ebony Alert System is a monumental step towards racial justice. “In late September, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the Ebony Alert system into law—becoming the first state to notify the public when Black children and young Black women between the ages of 12 and 25 disappear” (The Root).

The system is designed to expedite the search and recovery process for missing Black individuals between the ages of 12 and 25. It’s a specialized alert system that mirrors the AMBER Alert but focuses on a demographic that often goes overlooked. “It mirrors the AMBER Alert system, which generates emergency alerts on smartphones and electronic road signs” (The Root).

The Man Behind the Legislation

State Sen. Steven Bradford is the powerhouse behind this groundbreaking legislation. As the author of the Ebony Alert Bill, Bradford has emphasized the critical importance of this system in addressing the disproportionate number of Missing Black Youth and Missing Black Women in California. “We were ecstatic and very appreciative of it,” State Sen. Steven Bradford, the legislation’s author, tells PEOPLE” (People).

Bradford’s commitment to racial justice is evident in his legislative efforts. He is also the vice chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus and has been vocal about the need for systemic change. “We can no longer ignore the fact that Black women and children are disproportionately missing in California,” stated Senator Bradford” (People).

Criteria for Activation

The Ebony Alert system isn’t activated on a whim. There are specific criteria that must be met for the system to go live. These criteria include the missing person’s age, mental or physical condition, and the circumstances under which they went missing.

“The criteria for the activation of the Ebony Alert include such factors as: The missing person is between the ages of 12 and 25…The victim may be subjected to trafficking” (People).

Table 1: Criteria for Ebony Alert Activation

CriteriaDescription
Age12 to 25 years old
ConditionMental or physical risk
CircumstancesPotential for trafficking

These criteria are designed to ensure that the system is used effectively and efficiently, targeting the most vulnerable populations. It’s a step towards a more equitable system that takes into account the unique challenges faced by Black communities.

Comparison with AMBER Alert

The Ebony Alert system is modeled after the globally recognized AMBER Alert system. However, it focuses on a demographic that often goes overlooked. “It mirrors the AMBER Alert system, which generates emergency alerts on smartphones and electronic road signs” (The Root).

List of Alert Systems in California

  • AMBER Alert: For all missing children
  • Silver Alert: For missing elderly or cognitively impaired persons
  • Feather Alert: For missing indigenous persons
  • Ebony Alert: For missing Black youth and women

While the AMBER Alert system has been effective since its inception in 1996, the Ebony Alert system aims to address the racial disparities that have long been ignored. It’s a specialized tool that brings Public Awareness to a pressing issue.

Racial Disparities in Media Coverage

The media plays a significant role in how missing persons cases are perceived and acted upon. Unfortunately, when Black women and children go missing, the media often turns a blind eye. “That’s because when Black women go missing—news coverage does, too” (The Root).

This lack of media attention contributes to the racial disparities in missing persons cases. It’s a systemic issue that goes beyond law enforcement and seeps into the realm of public perception and media responsibility. The Ebony Alert system aims to counteract this by forcing the issue into the public eye, thereby increasing the chances of a safe recovery.

“The real tragedy is that while Black people comprise just 13 percent of the U.S. population, nearly 40 percent of those who regularly go missing are African Americans” (The Root).

Table 2: Racial Disparities in Missing Persons Cases

Population Group% of U.S. Population% of Missing Persons
African Americans13%40%
White Americans60%50%
Other27%10%

These statistics highlight the urgent need for specialized systems like the Ebony Alert to address these disparities. It’s not just a California issue; it’s a national crisis that requires immediate attention.

Other Alert Systems in California

California is no stranger to specialized alert systems. In addition to the Ebony Alert, the state has implemented the Feather Alert for missing indigenous persons and the Silver Alert for at-risk elderly or cognitively-impaired persons.

List of Specialized Alert Systems in California

  • Feather Alert: For missing indigenous persons
  • Silver Alert: For missing elderly or cognitively-impaired persons
  • Ebony Alert: For missing Black youth and women

These systems collectively aim to address the unique challenges faced by different communities. However, the Ebony Alert stands out for its focus on racial disparities, a topic that has long been sidelined.

Racial Labeling by Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies often label young African Americans who go missing as “runaways,” affecting the level of attention and resources allocated to their cases.

This racial labeling perpetuates stereotypes and biases, further marginalizing Black communities. The Ebony Alert system aims to challenge these preconceptions by ensuring that each case receives the attention it deserves, irrespective of racial or ethnic background.

Nationwide Debate

The introduction of the Ebony Alert system in California has sparked a nationwide debate. Critics and supporters alike are discussing its necessity and effectiveness.

“California has recently introduced the “Ebony Alert,” a new notification system that aims to raise awareness of missing black individuals between the ages of 12 and 25” (MSN).

While some argue that the system is a step in the right direction, others believe it doesn’t go far enough. The debate has reached Congress where some are urging federal legislation..

Future Steps and Solutions

The Ebony Alert system is a monumental step, but it’s just the beginning. There are calls to make the system nationwide and to involve Congress in creating national legislation.

“We must also urge Congress to create national legislation, so everyone is forced to pay attention to what should be categorized as much more than just a horrific oversight” (The Root).

The system needs to be integrated into a broader strategy that includes media responsibility, public awareness, and legislative action. Only then can we hope to address the racial disparities in missing persons cases effectively.