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EDITOR’S NOTE: I saw the first video when I accidentally clicked on it just hours after it happened, and I was stunned. Then came the onslaught of fake, AI, edited videos. When the video was released from the ICE agent’s phone that was intended to “exonerate him” I had exactly the same thoughts as Christy conveys below. Renee was calm and actually smiling … “I’m not mad at you.” Heartbreaking. Obviously turning away, the vehicle barely moving. He was not struck or knocked down. He shot her because she was mocking him. He violated multiple law enforcement policies and procedures – never shoot into a moving vehicle, never step in front of a vehicle, do not leave the scene of a shooting. Thank you Christy for this very thoughtful commentary of the wider impacts and the safety of all women. Be safe out there. If you need help, please reach out to local resources – 988 – if you are in danger please call 911. Tides of Change – www.tidesofchangenw.org
By Christy Kay
Renee Nicole Good. A wife, a mother, a poet, a loving soul. I did not know her personally, but I do have a minuscule connection to her family and know that several of them learned what happened when the video of her death started streaming across multiple social media platforms. What happened to Renee was an avoidable tragedy on multiple fronts. My heart grieves for her children, her family, her community, our country.
And I watched all the analysis, all the opinions, all the video angles, and all the experts and witnesses, the talk of this being justified or not. I have nothing to add to those. But something activated within me this morning, as I watched the new video that came out — a video recorded by the shooter. Yes, he recorded the whole thing, phone in one hand, gun in the other. This Administration and shooter claimed self-defense and domestic terrorism before her body was removed from the scene, with no evidence to support this claim. We all saw the videos, we know what happened. The video this morning made it all so glaringly obvious to me, and I want to offer another view, that I think is important.
What happened was not specific to ICE, or immigration, or anything like that. Her last words were spoken to her killer, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.” It seems to me that this is when he raised his gun and aimed it at her. As she started to move her vehicle away from him, he shot her — not once, not twice, but three times. He did not render aid, he did not show remorse, he simply said “fucking bitch” as he walked away, unharmed and unbothered.
This looks to me like what women face every day in this country, domestic violence. Stay in line, respect your man, be a good wife, obey your master. Talking back, not complying with his wants, independence in any form will get you killed. When JD Vance, in a press conference, said, ”this was a tragedy of her own making,” he sounded like all those who cover for those that abuse women — to say “she was raped because she deserved it.” “she wore a mini skirt, it’s her own fault,” “she didn’t respect me, so I hit her,” etc. These are the common responses to validate violence against women. She deserved it, she caused it, it’s her fault.
I think Renee’s last words were what killed her. What I saw was a woman who angered a man for her noncompliance. She poked at his ego when she refused to be bullied and instead offered him compassion — that angered him. He shot and killed her and walked away saying” fucking bitch”– like she got what she deserved. All this talk about safety in communities, how these masked armed men are here to create safety, and yet, we still do not understand what that actually looks like. Violence will only create more violence. In this country, 1 in 4 women experience domestic violence, and that’s only those who report it. Those rates have become significantly higher since Trump took office and are exponentially higher among law enforcement families. Every woman alive has experienced some form of fear because of a man, in their lifetime. Every single one.
This violence against women has been normalized, accepted, sometimes encouraged by our leaders and those in power. It is trauma we inflict upon women daily, with no end in sight. It’s constant from the moment we open our eyes, until we close them at night. There is no reprieve, no break from the persistent fear and lack of safety. Renee’s wife issued a heartbreaking statement. But her words “we had whistles, they had guns,” are what stood out most to me. When I was harassed and fearful for my life, I started wearing a whistle, I started carrying mace. I started filming. None of those things was any match for a gun, a knife, or a fist. My doctor recently acknowledged the physiological changes to my body that were a result of the consistent daily trauma I endured and still face. She offered me medication to help with the symptoms of PTSD and anxiety that I feel when I leave my house. But, as I told her, a pill will not make me safe. A community that calls out and condemns violence against women, and brings justice with consequences for the abuser, would.
Today I mourn the loss of beautiful, courageous Renee. I also grieve for all women who have ever feared for their lives because of some angry man – I grieve for ALL WOMEN — we are not safe.
Be strong, stay safe, find your community.
Love you
