Diamond Jenkins
Blue & White Flash / Associate Editor
Domestic violence prevention and awareness was the goal of the 6th Annual Latasha Norman Memorial 5K Run/Walk.
On Oct. 27, approximately 200 Jackson State University students, staff, faculty and community participants began the journey held in memory of Latasha Norman, a junior accounting major from Greenville, Miss., who lost her life to domestic violence in 2007.
This year’s icy cold weather did not prevent runners and walkers from supporting the cause. Among the many supporters in the run/walk were members of the current Blue & White Flash staff, who participate every year to honor Norman, a former student publications staff member.
“My reason for participating in the run/walk was to support domestic violence awareness, but I talked to (Latasha’s) mother and heard her parents talk about how it affected them; and it affected me as well,” said Taylor Bembery, a junior mass communications major from Detroit, Mich. and Flash staff writer.
She added, “I think it’s important to support the memory of a young lady like Latasha that had dreams just like me.”
It has been six years since the death of the JSU student raised local and national attention to the issue of domestic violence. Since then, JSU has named a counseling center in Norman’s honor and created an annual run/walk to celebrate her life while also promoting awareness among college students and members of the community.
Danny Bolden, Norman’s father, said: “We are so proud that JSU has continued to keep this legacy alive and that they are encouraging the youth and the community to support the walk because it serves a great purpose. We are glad that the funds from this walk will go towards the Latasha Norman Scholarship Fund. We are very pleased and elated that it would help educate some other young person and there was great participation.”
Olivia Patterson, an accounting major from Itta Bena, Miss., and run/walk participant said, “I participated because I feel very close to the effects of domestic violence and the memorial has evolved my knowledge of domestic violence.”
Another activity to raise awareness about domestic violence is the presentation of “The Color Purple: The Musical about Love”, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 5. The play will be presented at the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium, and is sponsored by the Latasha Norman Center for Counseling and Disability Services, the Chris Cook Foundation, Jackson State, and the JSU Division of Student Life.
Norman’s parents plan to come back to see and support the play. For more information, call 601-979-5956.
