Oprah Winfrey is using her platform and renowned magazine to shine a light on the death of Breonna Taylor. A portrait of Taylor will be featured on the September issue cover of O, The Oprah Magazine, Winfrey revealed on CBS This Morning and social media Thursday.
“Breonna Taylor. She was just like me. She was just like you,” Winfrey said in an article posted on her magazine’s website. “And like everyone else who dies unexpectedly, she had plans. Plans for a future filled with responsibility and work and friends and laughter.”
The magazine cover image was created by self-trained 24-year-old digital artist Alexis Franklin.
In an Instagram O Magazine said:
For the first time in 20 years, @oprah has given up her O Magazine cover to honor Breonna Taylor. She says, “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. Imagine if three unidentified men burst into your home while you were sleeping. And your partner fired a gun to protect you. And then mayhem. 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.” Tap the link in our bio to read more about Oprah’s tribute to Breonna—and her recent conversation with her mother, Tamika Palmer. Breonna: This one’s for you ?? The September issue will be available wherever you buy or download your magazines on 8/11.
O Magazine
Breonna Taylor died March 13 when three Louisville Metro Police officers entered her home using a no-knock warrant. According to police, Taylor’s boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, fired at the officers and hit one of them in the leg. The officers returned fire, striking Taylor several times and killing her.
“Imagine if three unidentified men burst into your home while you were sleeping,” Winfrey said. “And your partner fired a gun to protect you. And then mayhem.”
On the heels of the nationally publicized murders of Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd, Taylor’s death sparked protests in Louisville and across the country. Demonstrators are demanding justice for Taylor, and punishment for the LMPD officers involved in the incident.
One of the officers, Brett Hankison, was fired by the department. None of the officers have been charged with a crime.
“What I know for sure: We can’t be silent,” Winfrey said. “We have to use whatever megaphone we have to cry for justice.”
