Shaniya Davis Funeral to be Paid for by Shaquille O'Neal

NBA star Shaquille O'neal is planning to cover the cost for the funeral of Shaniya Davis, the five-year old who was recently kidnapped and murdered in a story that rocked the nation. The cost of the funeral is expected to be about $4,500. According to media reports, the child was killed by 29-year-old Mario McNeill on the same day that she was found to be missing.

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.