Valerie Elder Smiley, a 43-year-old woman from Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been missing since June 28, 2024. She is a mother of four and an entrepreneur. Family and friends have been actively searching for her, and law enforcement has been tracking her car, which was last spotted traveling from Monteagle, Tennessee, towards Georgia on I-75. Despite these efforts, there has been no significant progress in locating her.

Systemic Issues with missing Black Women

Valerie Elder Smiley’s case, like many involving missing Black women, may not have received widespread attention due to systemic issues such as media bias and lack of urgency from law enforcement. Cases involving missing persons of color often go underreported, receiving less media coverage compared to similar cases involving white women. This disparity can cause a lack of public awareness and fewer updates, despite ongoing investigations.

The disparity you mentioned, often referred to as “missing white woman syndrome,” highlights the unequal media attention given to missing persons cases based on race. When a white woman goes missing, her case often garners significant, sustained media attention, even when there are no new leads. This coverage can dominate headlines for weeks or months, keeping the story in the public eye and mobilizing resources for searches and investigations.

In contrast, cases involving Black women, indigenous women, and other women of color frequently receive less media coverage, with updates fading from the news cycle more quickly. The reasons for this are deeply rooted in systemic racism and media bias, where stories involving white women are often seen as more “marketable” or newsworthy. Factors like class, race, and societal expectations play a role in how stories are covered and prioritized by both the media and law enforcement.

Studies have shown that missing persons cases involving women of color are more likely to be underreported or dismissed as runaways, which delays searches and investigations. This lack of visibility contributes to a slower response from law enforcement and fewer public resources, further exacerbating the issue.

Advocates are working to address this bias by raising awareness through social media, grassroots campaigns, and organizations like the Black and Missing Foundation, which aims to highlight the cases of missing persons of color and push for equal treatment and coverage.

Family Appeals for Help

Her family has publicly appealed for help and is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to her discovery. The family remains hopeful and is asking anyone with information to come forward to assist in the search.

If you want to help or know any updates, you can follow local news sources or keep an eye on updates from the Chattanooga Police Department.