9-year-old girl commits suicide after racist bullying

Instead of getting ready for a holiday filled with warmth and cheer, an Alabama family is in tragedy.

Nine-year-old McKenzie Nicole Adams’ family says the child committed suicide after being the victim of racist taunts from her classmates. Her body was discovered by her grandmother on December 3rd.

Police are still investigating the circumstances leading up to her death, but Adams’ aunt Eddwina Harris  told the Tuscaloosa News  that her niece was being bullied because of her friendship with a white classmate who she rode to school with. According to the Washington Post, Adams reported harassment to teachers, but school officials say there is no record of Adams being bullied.

“She was being bullied the entire school year, with words such as ‘kill yourself,’ ‘you think you’re white because you ride with that white boy,’ ‘you ugly,’ ‘black b—-,’ ‘just die’,” Harris said.

Adams was good at math, loved video games, and liked to ride her bike.

Her death comes after she was transferred to  U.S. Jones Elementary School from a previous school where her family says she was bullied as well.  

Her death is a tragic reminder of the impact bullying has on our communities. In 2015, a higher percentage of Black students (25%) reported dealing with bullying than their white counterparts.

Adams’ aunt says she plans on raising awareness about bullying.

“God has blessed me to help others with my platform, and now it’s time to help. There are so many voiceless kids,” she said. “God is opening great doors for justice for my niece.”