Breonna Taylor will be the first person other than author Oprah herself to feature on the cover of O Magazine. The magazine has been in circulation for 20 years, and has long had a tie-in with literature, including associated publications.
Taylor, an emergency medical technician, was asleep when officers appeared at the door of her home using a no-knock warrant on March 13th. Mistaking the police as intruders, her boyfriend shot in self-defense. The officers fired more than twenty shots, killing Taylor. She was only 26 years old.
The perpetrating officers have not yet been arrested nor charged, despite demands for justice on social media.
Oprah reached out to Taylor’s mother, Tanika Palmer, regarding the cover in advance. She was overjoyed at the remembrance it would bring of her daughter.
In a recent announcement, Oprah spoke of the injustice and the bright future Taylor had in store.
Breonna Taylor. She was just like you. And like everyone who dies unexpectedly, she had plans. Plans for a future filled with responsibility and work and friends and laughter. What I know for sure: We can’t be silent. We have to use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice. And that is why Breonna Taylor is on the cover of O magazine. I cry for justice in her name.
To bring Taylor’s assailants to justice, supporters can:
- Sign the Change.Org, Color of Change, and Stand With Bre petitions
- Call Kentucky state officials
- Donate to the Louisville Community Bail Fund to assist protestors
- Hashtag #SayHerName on social media to remember the wonderful life that was lost
Taylor will feature in the September issue of O Magazine, to be released August 11th.