What we can learn from Takeoff’s death; reminder that the bystander effect is very real

BY SYDNEE WALCOTT

This year, we have seen the death of many rappers including the deaths of: JaydaYoungan, PnB Rock, Coolio, and now Migos member Takeoff.

In the early morning of November 1^st, 2022, Takeoff along with his uncle and fellow Migos member, Quavo, were gathered outside of the 810 Billiards and Bowling with about 40 people after the end of a private party when an altercation broke out during a game of dice.

The arguing then led to shots being fired, and Takeoff was not the intended target. Three stray bullets killed him, while Quavo was unharmed during the shooting.

A 23-year-old man and 24-year-old woman, who both sustained non-life threatening injuries, were taken to the hospital for treatment.

While a nurse, who lived nearby and heard the shooting, rushed to the scene and did what she could to help save the rapper’s life, some who were present throughout the shooting were more focused on taking videos and pictures of the rapper as he lay dying.

While I was watching a video on China Mac (who shared his thoughts on the situation), I nodded my head in agreement when he touched on people’s lack of empathy and their thirst for clout.

“Where’s the respect, where’s the decency,” said China Mac when asking why people are quick to pull out their phones to record and post videos of someone’s demise instead of using them to call for help.

All of those who recorded and posted videos of Takeoff’s body wouldn’t be happy if another person recorded and posted a video of one of their loved ones dying. So it’s quite disappointing they would disrespect another person in the same manner.

As China Mac stated, people shouldn’t use someone’s misfortune as an opportunity to gain likes and views.

As I watched China Mac share his thought on the situation, it reminded me of the 2018 murder of Lesandro “Junior” Guzman-Feliz.

In June of 2018, Guzman-Feliz was stabbed to death by five gang members in a case of mistaken identity outside of a bodega in The Bronx.

Those who lived above the bodega did the same thing as some of those who witnessed Takeoff’s murder. They used their phones to record the attack instead of using them to call and get help for Guzman-Feliz.

While the murder of Guzman-Feliz began to make people realize they need to do better at helping those in need, Takeoff’s death has made us realize more work needs to be done.

These incidents are not the first time people showcased a lack of decency. However, it should make us realize we need to do what we can to help people in need, because the next person who may need help, could be one of us.