The Shaniya Davis case broke all of our hearts. Shaquille O'neal's intervention was likely welcomed by the family, as funeral costs are often problems families are not prepared to face -- especially for one so young.
Shaniya Davis' mother, 25-year old Antoinette Davis, is charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. Her case is a reminder of the dangers of drugs in America and opens a frightening door into the underworld of child prostitution. In spite of the fact that there are ways to save on the cost of a funeral, it is highly unlikely that Shaniya Davis' mother had anything in place to pay the cost of her child's burial as her negligence led to her child's murder -- but neither does her father, who seems to have cared. So, I give Shaq major "props" for stepping up to the plate, since we all know that it takes a village to raise and protect a child. It is my hope that the other Shaniya's in the world will soon get the protection they deserve from all of us before it is too late.
Shaniya's father, Bradley Lockhart, was not scheduled to speak at his daughter's funeral, but stood up to ask the community not to be angry about the death of his child. Sorry Brad, but many Americans are angry and many of us are angry at you. Lockhart himself has been the target of community outrage due to the fact that he left his child with her drug addicted mother in spite of neighbors' warnings not to let the child go home. This is a tragedy that could have been avoided. Additionally, the fact that another man is paying for the cost his daughter's funeral is yet another reflection of irresponsibility on the part of Shaniya's father. Every parent should have insurance in place for their children, among many other financial plans for their prosperity and protection.
For Shaquille O'Neal, this move likely came from his heart but it also impacts his brand. Shaq's next objective is to make a smooth transition from life on the court to doing something productive that doesn't involve dribbling a basketball. His act of compassion also sends a signal to other athletes that significant acts of kindness toward the community are not only valuable, but expected from role models. Perhaps one day, more black male athletes will begin to embrace the importance of their roles in the world at large and in the black community.
It is my hope that the tragic murder of Shaniya will teach us some valuable lessons about loving all children and additional lessons about community solidarity. She did not die in vain. Everything happens for a reason.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here. 
Comments: (18)
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By: Carmela Johnson on 11/26/2009 11:00PM
I am a middle aged woman and in my entire life, no crime has sickened me like the crime committed against this child. I thought about her as I went about Thanksgiving with my loved ones, and how this day should have been for her. I also thought about how she should be looking forward to Xmas with the anticipation that only a child can have. Surely, she still believed in Santa. Instead satan took her away from this life too soon.
I believe that the molestation of this baby started around the time the mother stopped sending her to school. If this child was around authority figures and they thought something was wrong with this child, mom knew what would happen. I also believe the mother did not allow alone time with anyone that would have asked Shaniya about how things were going between her and her mother. In my opinion, once the molestation started the mother knew the only way to keep Shaniya from talking would be death. How can you prostitute a 5 year old child and expect the child not to tell someone. Surely, she would have told her father and aunt. Did they even see that child in the 5 week period after the aunt dropped the child off with only 2 days of clothing?
Something is not right about the father either. How can he claim that he did not know Antoinette Davis used drugs? His older daughter suspected it and said so on CNN. His credibility was in question from that point on.
Blessing to Shaq for wanting to ensure that Shaniya had a proper funeral. When CNN announced that a fund was being set up for her, my first question was why? I didn't doubt that either a funeral home in the state of NC would donate services or local citizens would fund the funeral. If Shaniya's family received any money; WHY?
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By: tegurlaroundtheworld on 11/30/2009 4:23PM
I weep for this child and for all children that fall victim to this abuse. In Shanya case she did not make it. This is an oppty. for the world to take a stand, and demand hard and firm measures to all that involved in sexual crimes period. This baby didn't make it! But her death does not have to be in vain. There's a young lady with a similar situation, except she was 16 not 5. She fought back and she killed her pimp! You see her mother sold her into sexual slavery. Her name is Sara Kruzan, she is doing life at the Central California Women's Facility in Chouchilla, CA. Perhaps, her father did not have the money needed and I am certainly not going to judge him but rather I will become a part of the solution!
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By: MELISSA DYER on 11/27/2009 10:05AM
SHAQ I THINK YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON FOR STEPPING IN AND TAKING CHARGE OF SHANIYA DAVIS FUNERAL . GOD ONLY KNOWS WHAT WOULD OF HAPPENED THAT IS SO TERRIBLE THAT SHE HAD A SORRY MOTHER LIKE THAT HOW COULD ANYONE DO THAT TO THEIR CHILD THAT IS SO INNOCENT COULD YOU IMAGINE THE PAIN?
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By: Cookie on 11/27/2009 9:21AM
My heart goes out for this child. But I wonder as well, why did Shaniya's father relinquish his daughter over to a woman he knew had a savory past and present? What a kind gesture by Shaq. I also question why the father and his family nor the local community who assist with the child's funeral arrangements.
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By: SHANTRELL on 11/29/2009 1:26AM
PERHAPS WE SHOULD STEP BACK AND THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX FOR A SECOND.... HAVE YOU SEEN THE MOM ON THE NEWS OR ANY TYPE REPORTS GIVING HER SIDE OF THE STORY? OTHER THAN AT A POLICE STATION.... NO, BECAUSE FOR WHATEVER REASON, THEY DO NOT WANT HER SIDE OF THINGS TO BE PUBLISHED SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES). WHEN THE CHILD BECAME MISSING. IT WAS THE MOM WHO THEY REPORTED THAT CALLED IN TO THE POLICE TO INFORM THEM OF HER MISSING BABY. IF THIS WOMAN DID NOT CARE FOR HER CHILD, WHY WOULD SHE TAKE THE TIME TO DO THIS AND IF THE FATHER KNEW THIS WOMAN HAD YEARS OF DRUG ABUSE, INSECURITIES, WHAT REALLY MADE HIM GIVE THIS CHILD BACK WITHOUT MEDIATION AND STIPULATIONS?....YET, THE FATHER CLAIMS HE LOOOOOVE HIS DAUGHTER AND THE AUNT CLAIMS HER BROTHER CARED DEEPLY FOR THIS (AND I QUOTE) GIRL...I STILL SAY THEY NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED THE FATHER AND HIS ENTIRE FAMILY. THANK YOU MR.ONEIL FOR CARING ENOUGH TO BE GODS HELPING HAND.
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By: forthesoul on 11/27/2009 10:22AM
Very judgemental article I must say. You don't know peoples situations, you don't know what kind of relationship people REALLY have, you don't know what's real or what's fake as far as what's being reported.
A lot of people DO NOT have life insurance on their kids or even themselves, so if something should happen to them or their child, it not their fault and it's not a sign of how they are responsible wise as individuals.
There are a lot of maybe the father shouldn't have done this or should have done that, but now is not the time to point the finger, blame or say this could have been avoided. I think that's what angers me, when people say this could have been avoided as if they know/knew God's plan.
This man at least spent time with his daughter and was able to love for, he was there when they mother came and said it might be best if you raise her. Sometimes the choices people make or the situations people are in denial about make no sense to us but it is not on us to judge.
That whole judgemental thing sickens me, because no one lives in a glass house, no one hasn't done or said something they've later regretted and I'm sure this man is hurting and questioning his every move.
The fact that another man is footing the bill also doesn't make him a questionable father. It's something Shac is doing from his heart and because he cares and because he is able and that's okay, it shouldn't be taken as "why can't this man pay for his own daughters funeral" it should be taken as "God Bless".
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By: shantrell on 11/29/2009 1:27AM
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CLAIM NOT TO BE JUDGEMENTAL BUT WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO USE COMMON SENSE. WE ARE JUDGED DAILY...IF NOT, WHY DO YOU SEE SO MUCH ONE SIDED JUNK ON TV, IN STORES AND ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS. I DONT SEE LOT OF MINORITY ACTIVITY HAPPENING AS FAR AS THIS AND WHAT MAKE PEOPLE THINK THE WAY THEY DO? BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HEARD OR SEEN OE EXPERIENCED..... I CALLED IT A WHILE BACK WHEN THEY FIRST FOUND THIS BEAUTIFUL LITTLE CHILDS..... WHEN I HEARD THE FATHER AND HIS SISTER ON TV TALKING ABOUT HOW THEY MISS HER AND LOVE HER AND HOW THEY HURT AND FELT SHANYA MOM WAS RESPONSIBLE.. I STATED THAT WHEN IT ALL CAME DOWN TO IT, WHO WOULD ACTUALLY BE THEIR FOR THAT CHILD I KNEW THE FATHER AND HIS DRAMA ACTING FAMILY WOULDN'T AND IT PROVED TO BE FACT...CALL IT THE WAY YOU WANT BUT I REALLY THINK THE FATHER AND A FEW OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD BE UNDER AN INVESTIGATION AS WELL. AS THEY SAY, " SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN DENMARK"
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By: Perri on 11/27/2009 6:30PM
First and foremost, I think Shaq has a heart of gold.
Also, I would like to say that being judgemental is not always a bad thing. I know without a doubt that if I see something that doesn't seem right involving someone who is vulnerable,e.g. children, or the elderly, I will say something. I will not be confrontational, but I will at least say something to the person that I think is at risk. If it is a child and I don't think the person they are with are their parents or trusted caregiver, I will say something like "you look just like your father/mother" just to see how the child responds. My actions of being judgemental, would be in the best interest of that child.
Being judgemental is how we protect ourselves and others.
In this case with this young girl, I personally think that it is a good thing that people are outraged, talking and forming opinions. So many people who previously would not have called CPS or the police because they feared getting involved, will now place that call; that is my belief.
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By: mya on 11/28/2009 10:37AM
Mr. O'neil thank you so very much for doing what you did for the family of America's that God took. I always knew you were a great man I know now that you are better than a great man. Bless you and your family for the holidays. And for Shaniya's family although these holidays may be hard for you may you be blessed. I too know what it feels like to lose a child. Our children now are our angels watching over us as we watched over them for their short period of life.
Mya
mother of three (one in heaven - missing you too Jewels Alexander my is here)
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By: trina on 11/28/2009 2:24PM
WOW THAT IS TRULY SAD THAT CUTE LITTLE GIRL . THE HOLD FAMILY SOUND SICK TO ME THINK ABOUT IT . THAT LITTLE GIRL SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKING AWAY FROM THEM ALL . SHE WAS NOT SAFE WITH THE MOTHER OR FATHER OR THE FAMILY OF THEM . THE STATE SHOULD HAVE CAME OUT WHEN SHE DID NOT SHOW UP AT SCHOOL . I TRUST NO ONE AROUND KIDS PEOPLE ARE SICK IN THE HEAD FOR REAL . I FEEL WE SHOULD ALL KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE KIDS , YOU NEVER KNOW HOW PEOPLE ARE THINKING . MAY GOD BLESS THAT LITTLE BABY SOUL .
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