June 7, 2026
Why are so many Black women dying at the hands of their partners?
In April, several high-profile cases highlighted the alarming trend of Black women being killed by their partners, with statistics showing they are 2.5 times more likely to be murdered by men than white women. A 2024 CDC report reveals that while Black women comprise about 13% of the population, they represent nearly 30% of intimate partner homicide victims, often facing systemic barriers when seeking help. The intersection of misogynoir, mental health issues among perpetrators, and a culture that stigmatizes reaching out for assistance contribute to this public health crisis. Addressing these disparities is crucial, as the current systems fail to protect vulnerable Black women from escalating violence.
Stoic Response
Correspondence to a Roman Magistrate
From the Wisdom of Seneca and Musonius Rufus:
Most Honorable Magistrate,
In our pursuit of justice, we must confront the grievous plight of our society. Recent tragedies have illuminated the dire circumstances faced by Black women, who are tragically 2.5 times more likely to be murdered by men than their white counterparts. This statistic is not merely a number; it reflects a deep societal malaise that demands our immediate attention and action.
Highlighting the Moral Stakes:
The systemic barriers these women encounter when seeking help reveal a society that has failed them. As we observe the recent cases—such as the heart-wrenching loss of Cerina Fairfax and Nancy Metayer Bowen—we are compelled to acknowledge that these are not isolated incidents. They are manifestations of a culture steeped in misogynoir and neglect. The moral stakes are paramount: we must ensure that every citizen, regardless of race or gender, can seek refuge from violence without fear of disbelief or discrimination.
Practical Maxims for Action:
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Engage the Community: We must foster a culture where victims feel empowered to speak out and seek help, free from the shackles of stigma and stereotype.
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Reform the System: Advocate for policies that dismantle the barriers preventing Black women from accessing the support they need, ensuring that law enforcement is trained to handle these sensitive situations with empathy and respect.
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Address Mental Health: Encourage mental health resources for all, particularly for those in marginalized communities, to break the cycle of violence that often stems from untreated mental illness.
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Promote Accountability: We must hold perpetrators accountable while also recognizing the systemic issues that contribute to their actions, ensuring that justice is served without perpetuating further harm.
In closing, let us remember that the protection of the vulnerable is the hallmark of a just society. May our actions reflect our commitment to safeguarding the lives of all, particularly those who are most at risk.
Yours in the pursuit of justice,
[Your Name]
Seneca and Musonius Rufus
Article Rewritten Through Stoic Lens
The Stoic Reflection on Tragedy: A Lesson for Our Times
Dear students, let us gather our thoughts and reflect on the events that have unfolded in our society. The tragedies surrounding the lives of Black women, particularly those who have faced violence at the hands of their partners, present us with profound opportunities to practice our Stoic principles.
Understanding the Dichotomy of Control
In our examination of these events, we must first recognize the dichotomy of control: what is within our power and what is not. While we cannot control the actions of others, we can control our responses, our judgments, and our commitment to right action.
External Events as Opportunities for Discipline
Consider the alarming statistics: Black women are 2.5 times more likely to be murdered by men than their white counterparts. This is a reality that we cannot change, but we can choose how we respond. We must cultivate discipline in our thoughts and actions, advocating for justice and support for those in need.
Judgment in the Face of Misogynoir
As we reflect on the systemic barriers that hinder Black women from seeking help, let us practice sound judgment. The stigma surrounding mental health and the culture of silence must be confronted. We are called to challenge these narratives, recognizing that our judgments shape the world around us.
Right Action Amidst Injustice
The tragic stories of individuals like Cerina Fairfax and Shaneiqua Elkins reveal the deep-seated issues of intimate partner violence. We must not turn a blind eye to these injustices. Instead, let us engage in right action—supporting those who are vulnerable and advocating for systemic change.
The Role of Community and Support
The community plays a crucial role in addressing these disparities. When we see individuals minimizing the horror of violence, we must remind ourselves that our duty is to support the victims, not to sanitize the actions of the perpetrators. We must cultivate a culture that prioritizes the safety and well-being of all individuals.
Mental Health and Responsibility
While we acknowledge the connection between mental illness and violence, we must also hold individuals accountable for their actions. The failures of mental health systems cannot excuse the misogynoir and entitlement that lead to violence. We are called to seek solutions that encompass both compassion and accountability.
A Call to Action
As we reflect on these tragedies, let us remember that our actions, however small, can contribute to a larger movement for change. We must educate ourselves and others, advocate for those who cannot speak, and strive for a society where all individuals are safe from harm.
Conclusion: A Stoic Path Forward
In closing, let us embrace the Stoic path. We cannot control the actions of others, but we can control our responses. Let us practice discipline, sound judgment, and right action in the face of injustice. Together, we can create a world where the lives of all individuals, especially those most vulnerable, are valued and protected.
In this way, we honor the memory of those lost and work towards a future free from violence.
Source Body Text
In April alone, at least half a dozen Black women were allegedly killed by their partners, including the high-profile cases of Cerina Fairfax, estranged wife of the former Virginia lieutenant governor Justin Fairfax, and Nancy Metayer Bowen, vice-mayor of Coral Springs, Florida. Shaneiqua Elkins survived a shooting by her husband, Shamar Elkins, that wounded her and killed seven of her children and one of their cousins in Shreveport, Louisiana. These tragedies are shining a light on the killings of Black women and the systems that allow that violence to continue. The numbers are startling. Black women are two and a half times more likely to be murdered by men than white women are, according to a 2025 study. Most of them are killed by men they knew. A 2024 CDC report also found that Black women made up approximately 13% of the population, but accounted for nearly 30% of intimate partner homicide victims. Firearms, mostly handguns, were the most common weapons used by men to murder Black females. So why these appalling racial disparities? Often, Black women’s deaths at the hands of their partners are a culmination of months and years of intimate partner violence, threats or the fallout of a contentious breakup; all with no help. (A Miami Herald investigation found that police had been called five times to Nancy Metayer’s home over an array of issues, before her husband, Stephen Bowen, allegedly shot and killed her in her home in Coral Springs). And when victims do speak up, finding recourse can be hell. The process of seeking help in a domestic violence situation often forces Black women to navigate a system fraught with stereotyping, disregard and disbelief. Many survivors report experiencing racism at the hands of law enforcement, which makes them skeptical and fearful of police and child services agencies. Research has also shown that the stereotyping of Black women as “aggressive, shrill, and emasculating … or inherently self-sufficient may inhibit survivors from receiving the help that they need from law enforcement”/ Alongside the existing culture of silence around gender-based violence in the Black community, there’s a stigma attached to reaching out for help. Black women are seen as protectors, and in a world where the criminal justice system targets Black men, it is viewed as a betrayal to willingly put them in contact with that same system when they are the perpetrators. Intimate partner violence also thrives because of the ways the rest of the Black community – particularly men – closes ranks to protect and sanitize the image of violent men. In the immediate aftermath of Cerina Fairfax’s shooting, there was an outpouring of tributes online – but not all of them were for Cerina. Many, including some prominent Black figures, made posts (some now deleted) commenting on how great of a man Fairfax, who is believed to have killed himself, was, and the significance of his accomplishments – in effect separating the man they knew from the man who had just murdered his wife, and minimizing the horror of this tragedy. In many cases, there’s a history of mental health issues for the men involved. Black men are far less likely than their white counterparts to seek out therapy, and are often priced out of mental health resources. A relative of Shamar Elkins told the Associated Press that Elkins had voluntarily checked into a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital for more than a week in January because he needed help. Shaneiqua Elkins had also been seeking a divorce from Shamar at the time of the killings. Justin Fairfax was a prominent figure in Virginia politics until two women accused him of sexual assault. He reportedly struggled with his “mental and emotional health” after the allegations became public in 2019. Fairfax had been estranged from his wife before he killed her and himself, according to court documents. It’s important to acknowledge how mental illness is connected to domestic violence, but that doesn’t erase the misogynoir, male entitlement, weak gun laws, and lack of access to social services that help men enact violence against their families. Black femicide is a public health crisis with failures of multiple systems to blame. And while Black women die, the state is ignoring the structures that allow abusive men to wreak havoc on the people around them. For many Black women, this is a fight for their lives. Tayo Bero is a Guardian US columnist