Phylicia Moore
What’s “Missing” from the Media? Missing Black Women
It is obvious that the mainstream media does not pay attention to missing black women. Especially considering this case is almost identical to that of Natalee Holloway, who went missing on a school trip to Aruba for her high school graduation. (See http://arubanboycott.blogspot.com) The difference? Phylicia is black, Natalee is white. Phylicia was found, Natalee has not.
Phylicia Moore, an 18-year old honor student from New Jersey, earned and saved every penny in order to go to Africa for a goodwill class trip to Ghana to donate books to orphaned children suffering from AIDS. 23 classmates joined her, along with nine chaperones.
Phylicia Moore died on April 15, 2007. This is almost two months later! Why didn’t the media pick up on this? Another 18-year old girl murdered in another country?
What Facts Do We Know?
Moore was last seen at 10:30 p.m. at the pool of her hotel with all the students and chaperones when she decided to go back to her room for the evening. Around 9:00 a.m. the next day, Moore was found dead, partially submerged in the hotel pool with her clothes on and no shoes. More
Questions:
Did Phylicia share a room with another student? Are there security cameras at the hotel? If so, were they checked? Why weren’t the students and chaperones officially questioned instead of submitting vague statements to Ghana officials before leaving?
Moore’s father, Douglass charged, “The chaperones didn’t do a bed check…someone murdered her and made it look like a drowning.” Ghana officials ruled her death as “an accidental drowning”; however, two months later no toxicology tests have been completed to rule out other possibilities! The preliminary autopsies in Ghana and the United States opined “an undetermined cause of death”. The Moore family hired an independent pathologist who determined that Phylicia Moore had been placed in the water only a short time before she was found.
Douglass Moore is questioning the autopsy and is urging federal agents to step in. However, Ghana is not required to petition assistance from the United States over a murdered American unless they ASK for help. Since April 15, Ghana has not asked federal officials for help in solving this case. The Moore family believes that Ghana officials are a part of a cover-up in the murder of his daughter.
Two months later…what has Ghana done?
http://video.wnbc.com/player/?id=111527
VIDEO STORY
VIDEO STORY
24 comments:
okay first ?.WHERE WERE THE CHAPRONES?WHO ARE THEY?WHY DIDN'T
THEY DO A BED CHECK?
If MS.Moore death was a crime or an
accident.If a bedcheck was done probably this wounld have prevented
ms moore death.
Dear Friend, Your blog states, "The Moore family hired an independent pathologist who determined that Phylicia Moore had been placed in the water only a short time after she was found." This makes no sense. You need to correct it to indicate that she was place in water a short time BEFORE she was found, if this is the situation. This is different from Natalee Holloway in that there is no mystery, this body was right there. If the parents haven't arranged a toxicity test yet, then they haven't done everything to determine why this tragedy occurred. Karen
If her parents were SO CONCERNED about her, they should have gone on the trip as chaperones themselves. For them to come back now and sue the school is just a way to blame someone else and to cash in on an unfortunate accident. They have no recourse, legally or morally, to go after anyone else IMHO!
I hope you will allow this post.
These cases are made public by tireless efforts from family and friends. Please don't discourage parents to fight for their children. You would be providing a GREAT service if you gave solutions instead of adding your complaints to the HUGE pile of 'Because we're black' complaints.
Parents please take responsibility for your children and fight for them, sacrifice for them, and set examples of responsible citizens for them!
I am concerned and determined to make a difference for our kids!!
Thanks for pointing out the typo...
schools should stop all class trips because the parents and community are just waiting to blame the schools for everything. Kids will do things that any amount of adults can not stop. She could have easily slipped out of her house on her parents as sher might have on this trip.
If it was murder, then how was the chapperone to stop it unless physically present at the site. Let's be real and stop blaming the schools. When you allow your child to go to a foreign country (in these troubled times), you are taking a huge risk.
Unfortunately, an accident is an accident. Perhaps there was foul play? However, the chaperones are not responsible for the comings and goings of an 18 year old "woman", not a girl. Were the chaperones supposed to be awake and on-guard for the school youth 24/7 ? I think not, as that's absurd. There wasn't negligence on the school board. It is heartbreaking to lose this woman, an accident or murder. What the Moore's should be seeking are answers about the cause of death...Was it drowning or foul play? Also, this case is not like the Hollaway case in that there was no mystery about where she was as the body was right there. Sorry, I do not see this as a racial issue and the race card does not apply here.
Robin K.
I understand how this can be perceived as a race issue. How is it that the Holloway girl was all over the news shortly after she went missing. And this poor girl's story has taken 2 months to finally be put in the media? I feel very sorry for her parents; their daughter was only trying to do something good for others and her life was cut short. What was the purpose of the chaperones, if they were not there to "monitor" the group of teenagers in a foreign country? It seems they werent doing their jobs. The group may as well have gone by themselves.
Why can't there be a story about an African-American person without someone bringing up their race? We will never resolve racial issues in this country if it is treated as the most important aspect of a person.
This the reason why some people are saying it could be racial is because we haven't heard about this at all media. Since April and this is the FIRST time we are hearing anything about this. We are STILL hearing about Hallow whoclearly acted irresponsibly. Who goes drinking with strangers? Not wise. And whatever the case we now have two dead young women whose death leave everyone wondering what happen. Yes both deaths are a mystery.
Everyone wants to blame the parnets,whether this child is 15 or 18,she's still in school and it was up the chaperones to look after her. Suppose it was your child whether white or black,YOU WOULD FEEL THE SAME WAY.You always looking at this as a white or black thing. Every one's child should be carefully watch when on a trip.
Whas she the only black women in the trip? and why more than a thirty day passed before the public know about this case? It seen really that the medio do not care about blacks
This is a MF...ing adult we are talking about. Hello, can you understand the concept of over 18?? No one is respondible for her but her! Wake up.
THIS IS SAD INDEED. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE HEARTBREAK AND GRIEF THE PARENTS ARE ENDURING.
ONE HAS ONLY TO LOOK AT THE TIMES WE LIVE IN TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE MUST BE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS WHERE CRITICAL TIMES HARD TO DEAL WITH ARE UPON US.
IT IS TOO LATE FOR THESE PARENTS. BUT FOR THOSE OF US WITH CHILDREN WE MUST LOOK AT THE REALITY OF THE SITUATION.
CHILDREN MUST BE KEPT CLOSE BY AND SUPERVISED BY PARENTS.
I KNOW PARENTS DO NOT WANT TO STIFLE THEIR CHILDREN. THEY WANT THEM TO HAVE A GOOD TIME AND EXPERIENCE ALL THAT LIFE HAS TO OFFER. UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS DAY OF MORAL BREAKDOWN, CRIME , LAWLESSNESS AND A LACK OF RESPECT FOR HUMAN LIFE, THERE ARE THOSE WHO WOULD PREY UPON OUR CHILDREN AS A VUTURE UPON A FRESH CARCASS.
PARENTS MUST REALIZE THAT THE WORLD IS A VERY SCARY PLACE TODAY.
THE 'LEAVE IT TO BEAVER', 'FATHER KNOWS BEST',DAYS ARE GONE FOREVER IN THIS WORLD.
IT IS NOT SAFE FOR OUR CHILDREN TO WALK TO OR HOME FROM SCHOOL. TO GO FOR A BIKE RIDE OR ROLLER BLADE DOWN THE STREET OR TO WALK TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, WITHOUT PARENTAL SUPERVISION...THE TRUTH BE TOLD THEY NOW COME INTO YOUR CHILDS BEDROOM AND SNATCH THEM AWAY INTO THE COLD BLACK NIGHT!
HOW MUCH MORE WORRISOME TO SEND A CHILD THOUSANDS OF MILES AWAY?
WHAT MAKES AN 18 YEAR OLD ANY DIFFERENT THAN A 17 OR 16 YEAR OLD FOR THAT MATTER?
I AM SURE THE '18 YEARS OLD = LEGAL ADULT' STATUS, CAME ABOUT BECAUSE POLITICIANS NEEDED TO SEND YOUNG, STRONG, FEARLESS BODIES OUT TO FIGHT THEIR WARS..PROBABLY BEGINNING WITH THE FIRST WORLD WAR.
WE ACCEPT THAT THE SYSTEM TELLS US THAT OUR CHILDREN ARE NOW LEGAL ADULTS WHEN THEY TURN 18. BUT IF THE TRUTH BE TOLD ELEVEN AND TWELVE YEAR OLDS OFTEN HAVE MORE COMMON SENSE THAN A HORMONE RAGING 18 YEAR OLD..JUST LOOK AT 'GIRLS GONE WILD'.
PERTAINING TO THIS LATEST TRAGEDY WHETHER THIS WAS AN UNFORTUNITE ACCIDENT IN WHICH CASE SWIMMING LESSONS WOULD HAVE BETTER PREPARED THIS GIRL, OR FOUL PLAY, I WISH PARENTS WOULD NOT DEPEND ON OTHERS TO KEEP THEIR CHILDREN SAFE.
NO ONE LOVES,CARES OR WORRIES AS MUCH ABOUT OUR CHILDREN AS WE PARENTS DO...OR SO IT SHOULD BE.
I THINK WE GIVE TOO MUCH CREDIT TO THOSE 'PAID' TO TAKE CARE OF OUR CHILDREN.
I THINK WE GIVE TOO MUCH CREDIT TO OUR CHILDREN..IT TAKES A LONG TIME FOR A CHILD TO GROW AND MATURE TO THE POINT OF MAKING RATIONAL, SENSIBLE DECISIONS...THEY DO NOT HAVE GOOD ROLE MODELS IN THIS WORLD IN GENERAL. EIGHTEEN IS NOT THE MAGIC BULLET.
FINALLY, I BELIEVE WE UNDERESTIMATE THE FORCES AT WORK IN THIS WICKED SYSTEM OF THINGS.
I REMEMBER A POLICE OFFICER BACK IN 1973 (WHEN I WAS VERY YOUNG, TELLING US THAT 'THE PUBLIC DID NOT HAVE A CLUE AS TO THE HEINOUS CRIMES THAT WERE BEING COMITTED. HE SAID MOST OF THEM DID NOT MAKE THE PAPERS OR THE NEWS. IF THE PUBLIC REALLY KNEW WHAT THE WORLD WAS LIKE, THEY WOULD BE TOO AFRAID TO EVEN COME OUT OF THEIR HOMES'.
THIS WAS 34 YEARS AGO. DO WE ALL AGREE THAT THE WORLD IS A MUCH MORE VIOLENT, UNSAFE, VOLATILE PLACE IN 2007, ESPECIALLY FOR OUR UNSUSPECTING,INEXPERIENCED CHILDREN?
i think that the chaperones should have been more careful. but i also think that people know what happened and are not talking. she was probably with a bunch of friends fooling around and tripped, or someone pushed her and they are too scared to say anything. that is my opinion
I can not believe that is it June 5, 2007 and this is the first time I have heard about this story! Fox just did a short story and interview with this young woman's parents, but the difference between how this case has been dealt with in comparison to that of Natalee's is not something that can be ignored. We must be realistic and realize that race, gender, etc. plays a role in almost everything. I think it is a shame that this story has not gotten more press and that the media has not put more pressure on the investigation. This could have happened anywhere, at anytime. We must protect one another and react to these things with care....but the bottom line: this family needs answers and the media and citizens alike need to tell this story in hopes that answers may come to this family.
Thank god someone has some common sense and human decency. Whether we like it or not, race DOES play a factor in a society where it has mattered for over 200 years.
I hope the Moore family continues to receive more coverage and help from the government.
I've lived in the North all my life, except for 7 yrs. in Fl.,where I taught in a very racist town called Belle Glade. (I lived 1 hr. east) Everything in town was segregated, except Kingdom Hall and the Catholic Church. I taught in Public school, all the white kids in town went to Glades Day School (this was as recent as 2000, it is STILL going on). The racism astounded me, but it was an accepted way of life by BOTH races, this is the way they had been taught, it was the way they had all grown up. It's unimaginable, but it's true!
In the case of Miss Moore, in New Jersey, I find it hard to believe that race IS the factor that has caused the lack of publicity. Many Americans have disappeared or been murdered while vacationing in a foreign country and we have not heard about them. I had not heard of Amy Bradley or the young man who went missing on Aruba, until Natalee Holloway did. It was the extreme efforts of her mother that made this case so notorious, IMO.
As I stated on another post here, if the Moore's need help, where is Rev.Sharpton? Why is he NEVER around to help African American people? His agenda is to stir the racial pot, persecuting the Duke Lacrosse Players, now he is totally engrossed in Paris Hilton, screaming the "race card"!! I don't care whether Paris does or doesn't serve her jail time, I don't care about Paris Hilton, Period! But the "Reverand" is outraged by her "special" treatment. Where was his outrage when OJ's recent book came out.....
Unfortunately, we've seen the Media is all about ratings and sensationalism. We've seen what Greta has done in Natalee's case. Nancy Grace has turned into the biggest seeker of sensationalism (maybe second to Geraldo). Very few are truly altruistic. O'Reilly, is fighting for the protection of children against pedifiles.... he's got a plateful there, as he goes from state to state to confront judges and fight for Jessica's Law. It's seems it's now up to individuals to force the media to give these crimes attention. And I don't believe it's by screaming the race card. But Sharpton has the mouth and the clout, so instead of running his mouth off and seeking justice for white people guilty of misdemeanors, why doesn't he drive across the GW Bridge, visit the Moore's and bring their child's story to the public, with dignity!
I guess, by your post, that you don't agree with the other points I made in my above post. At the time I started typing, I was only going to voice my outrage regarding the lack of media coverage this young lady has received, but as my thoughts flowed, my words followed onto print.
The most important point that came to my mind and into words, IMO, was how the mother of Natalee Holloway flew into action the moment she learned her daughter had not been seen or heard from the morning of her scheduled departure from Aruba. I have raised 3 girls (now women) call into Mother's Intuition or whatever, you KNOW your own child, and it something that grows as he/she grows. When Beth Twitty arrived on Aruba, her feeling/intuition was confirmed. She KNEW something had happened to her daughter, she would never willingly miss her flight, and Mrs. Twitty, in the midst of her fear, or due to it, gathered every ounce of strength in her mind, body and friends and had her voice heard, back in Alabama, back in the United States. This is what has to be done when such a crime is committed, here, in the States, or elsewhere. These crimes occur EVERY day, and "only the squeaky wheel will be oiled.."
So, if the parents of Miss Morris do not have the "where with all", ( I realize, it does take money, friends with money, and a certain amount of savvy), it's up to those with "public image" "clout" who do have the "where with all" to extend a hand and do what they "say" they are trying to do!! Help people.
Michelle, I don't know where you live, but I know it is somewhere quite south of New Jersey. New York is a bridge or a tunnel away, and as I said NY Eyewitness News reports ALL news in the Tri-State (NY-NJ-CONN) Actually, I didn't say that, but that is the "local" news I heard about Miss Morris' story on. Anyone living in this 3-State Area heard the story Day One!!!! Not a month later, not a week later!! We ALL heard about this poor child's death, I was getting ready for work, and what shocked me was that the tour group had continued on. That's a sad commentary in itself, but it demonstrates how often we hear, as vacation, honeymoon, cruise time comes around, we are bombarded with horrific stories such as this.
So, IMO, it's up to individuals of representatives of individuals to intervene for them and get them the publicity that they deserve. This case has been kept so quiet, after the story first broke, that I am wondering if there is not some kind of cover-up, with the school or someone involved more closely than we would think. As I've said, I live in NJ and it's not even in the "local" local, news, ie., Asbury Park Press, or any other small papers.
Sun Jun 10, 08:36:23 AM EST
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Don't get me wrong...I agree with you. I am glad that it has made news on the East coast. I don't live in the south...I live in the midwest and I read A LOT and never heard about her until someone forwarded me the article. I am just glad that someone stumbled upon it and sent it to me so I could use my blog to spread the information...to get the word out.
Now there is another missing girl (from Brooklyn, not NJ) who went to Miami to visit family and hasn't been seen since. She is also black, and I also had not heard about her (Stepha Henry) story until it was forwarded to me by a friend. This story may be alive and well on the east coast where she lives (as where it should be), but I still don't see anything about it on the MSM.
Thanks for your insightful postings...keeps me on my toes. ;)
Yes, that story has been well aired also. Like the young lady murdered by the bouncer, this young lady had graduated from John Jay College, a college to become police investigators. She evidentally disappeared while on a Florida vacation. Her name excapes me, as I have been on here, reading so much about past young women, plus the recent disappearances and murders of girls in mid-west (Kansas, which could very well be connected), but I can picture this young woman's face, she also is African-American.
Plus, as I have stated before, the Media, right now, is inundated with
Paris Hilton....what a waste of precious Media air time. And....not to be redundant...Sharpton's big mouth voicing his outrage over her early release.... like I said...When will this man do something PROductive!!!!
Please know I am in NO way prejudiced. For the last 12 years I have CHOSEN to teach in minority schools. In Florida I turned down a job in an all white school to teach in an all black and hispanic school, ( it was in Belle Glade,Fl., 1 hr. from where I lived) and 6 years ago, when I came to NJ, I gave up a job in a middle class, all white school to teach, Jamaican, Haitian, Hispanic and African-American kids in a Title One Funded district. Why? Because, I have some crazy ability to teach Kindergarteners to read and love reading and learning and I believe that these are the children who need me the most. Some of my friends laugh at me and call me a "missionary", but I love these children, their parents totally appreciate what I do for their kids, I truly feel I am making a difference!! And that makes me feel good, or as I tell my students, they "make my heart sing"!
I KNEW that college sounded familiar!!! I wrote about Imette St. Guillen in 2006! That was a HORRIFIC story. This college must be grieving heavily.
http://michellesaysso.blogspot.com/2006/03/newest-info-on-killing-rapist-pig.html
Why in the world would a school arrange a class trip to Ghana? As a parent, I would NEVER allow my child to go there. There are much nicer and safer places for a class trip.
My man's niece is in the news now because she drowned in Tanzania. Laniece Moore (so uncanny that these two young ladies share the same last name), had been swimming since she was 3 years old. She, too, got away from the group and was found at the deep end of the pool. Because of her mother's religion, there won't be a second autopsy. We most hold our children close!
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