Debra Antney, CEO of Mizay Entertainment and the mother of rapper Waka Flocka is using her platform to shed light on a serious issue. Her youngest son, Kay Redd, committed suicide in December 2013 as a result of a few issues, one being stress relating to internet interactions with people who disliked his more famous brother and mother. Deb shares her pain and recalls her youngest son defending his family on several occasions against people on the internet. She also talked about obtaining his computer after his death and seeing for herself exchanges between him and others on social media.
Deb decided to use her pain and her son’s death to raise awareness with a campaign, NO R.I.P. (No Reckless Internet Posting). The campaign took on new life after being mentioned on an episode of ‘Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, creating a major buzz on the internet with people showing their support for the campaign with the hashtag #NORIP.
Brian Veal DC and 1-800-HURT-911 dontated $10,000 to Debra’s #NORIP campaign.
We have all experienced people saying hurtful, mean-spirited things to us or others over the internet and social media; things that they probably wouldn’t say face to face. The Internet has become a breeding ground for bullies, cowards and wannabe gangsters to spew hate that not everyone is strong enough to ignore or handle. To be tormented and disrespected is a hard pill for anyone to swallow and some just can’t take it.
On Thursday night, No R.I.P. held a fundraiser to collect items for James H. Brown Elementary School and needy families. Items collected included bedding, pots, pans, and toiletries.
“Because it’s something that they’re throwing away, it’s something that we all suffer from,” Antney answered when the A-Scene’s Francesca Amiker asked her why it was so important to bring mental health to the forefront of the black community. “Nobody wants to deal with it and it’s something that needs to be dealt with.”
To lose a child in such a way is devastating but the way Deb has turned her tragedy into an opportunity to raise awareness is courageous. Find out more about the #NORIP campaign at www.PledgeNORIP.com.
RIP Kayo Redd
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