Sen. Yarbro: Ashanti Posey Deserved Better

NASHVILLE — Sen. Jeff Yarbro (D-Nashville) issued a statement Tuesday in response to the state House’s failure to approve a resolution honoring the life of Ashanti “Ace” Posey, a 17-year-old basketball standout and active volunteer.

The full statement is below:

I sponsored a memorial resolution for Ashanti Posey because I hoped it would be some small, nice comfort for a family mourning the loss of a child. Every life lost too early is worthy of the community pausing to grieve.

It’s just basic human decency to mourn with families who lose children. But Ashanti in particular deserved better than what she received on the House floor tonight.

Since there’s no resolution now, let me tell you about her. Born in Tennessee, Ashanti was scheduled to graduate from Hillsboro High School this year before being tragically shot and killed.

She worked two jobs, was a stellar basketball player, and was heading to Western Kentucky U upon her graduation. She volunteered with the homeless, her school’s recycling program, and helped start an LGBT support group.

Her classmates describe Ashanti as being a good friend and a generous person. My only hope is that the dishonorable conduct of House leadership will actually lead to more people knowing about this exceptional young woman.

And hopefully, Ashanti’s life and death can deepen our commitment to a world where lives like hers are not cut so tragically short.

The House leadership cruelly blocked this resolution and failed to do what little it could for a family that has lost so much. But, we as a community should be resolved to stand up for young people like Ashanti who deserve so much better.