Presiana Dawson
Staff Writer
Many students at Jackson State University recognize the Latasha Norman Center as a center for counseling and disability services on campus, but are not aware of the events that lead to the renaming of the center.
Latasha Norman was a junior accounting major from Greenville, Miss. when she went missing after a class on the campus of Jackson State University on Nov. 13, 2007. Norman was missing for two weeks before the community learned that she had been killed by her ex-boyfriend, a former JSU student, Stanely Cole. Cole confessed to killing Norman and led officials to her body in a wooded area in North Jackson. Cole was sentenced to life in prison for his crime.
To honor Norman’s memory, Jackson State renamed the counseling center to commemorate her life and continues its efforts to bring awareness to the devastating effects of domestic violence. Norman’s family, friends and the JSU community continue to promote domestic violence prevention through awareness, outreach programs and a memorial 5K Run/Walk held every year in November.
On Monday, Oct. 28, 2013, the Latasha Norman Center for Counseling and Disability Services and the JSU Division of Student Life sponsored a Domestic Violence Awareness Forum and balloon release, “Paint the City Purple,” in memory of Norman. Norman’s stepfather, Danny Bolden, was a featured speaker at the event, along with Keisha Varnell with the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“Latasha was a real young woman. She wanted to do God’s will. She knew that she was special. She respected herself and others while being unselfish, thoughtful and kind,” said Bolden. “Her death was not in vain; we’ve learned that God can use one to save many. We had no idea that domestic violence was so prevalent among people. “We don’t know what young lady’s life we may save or touch.”
Bolden and his wife, Patricia (Latasha’s mother) wish for individuals to recognize that they have the power to walk away from an abusive situation because there are always people willing to help them. Bolden has spoken to more than 10,000 students in Washington, Bolivar and Sunflower counties and throughout Mississippi as well as at colleges and universities throughout the country.
Varnell, a domestic violence prevention/intervention specialist, used audience interaction to make her points about domestic violence by asking for 10 volunteers to represent a victim and many of the barriers they face when dealing with domestic violence.
“People should stop asking why does she (victim) stay in an abusive relationship and start asking why does he abuse?” stated Varnell.
Her list of barriers to ending domestic violence included victims having to deal with love, survival, loyalty, fear, denial, shame, embarrassment, humiliation, low self-esteem, gender privilege, lack of knowledge and isolation. She added that even music, news and entertainment can contribute to the continuation of domestic violence.
The Latasha Norman Center, the Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Center for Violence Prevention are some of the places where individuals can go to receive help for domestic violence.
Students acknowledged they were pleased to learn of the services offered by the Natasha Norman Center and the Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
“I feel like it was a good program. It sheds light on domestic violence resources that can help in these situations,” said Jermaya Davis, a JSU junior early childhood development major from Milwaukee, Wisc.
Robin Jackson, Miss Sophomore and a political science major from Jackson, Miss., shared a personal experience relating to domestic violence.
“The event was a great experience, not only for victims of domestic violence, but for survivors and individuals that need to be educated on topic,” said Jackson. “Personally, the program is important to me because from the ages of 4 to 12, I witnessed domestic violence against my mother from the hands of my stepfather.”
Rashad Moore, a sophomore criminal justice major from Jackson, Miss., believes JSU’s commitment to domestic violence awareness and prevention is necessary in today’s society.
“I think it’s (domestic violence) prevalent that it’s reported and taken seriously. I’ve learned that there are a lot of barriers that stand in women’s way that actually hinder them to come forth and actually state that there was a problem,” said Moore.
In addition to the forum, the Latasha Norman 6th Annual 5K Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 at 8 a.m., beginning at the JSU Student Center and Gibbs-Green Pedestrian Walkway.
For more information or to participate, call 601-979-1557 or 601-979-0374.
