“Last Words”

For the lives lost to police brutality. Rest in peace.

"Officers, why do you have your guns out?"

Last words. Kenneth Chamberlain, 66, November 19, 2011.

"Why did they shoot me?"

 Last words. Kendrec McDade, 19, March 24, 2012.

“Please don't let me die”

Last words. Kimani gray, 16, March 9, 2013.

"I don't have a gun, stop shooting."

Last words. Michael Brown, 18, August 9, 2014.

“I didn’t even do anything”

Last words. Samuel DuBose, 43, July 19, 2015.

“What did I do?”

Last words. Alton Sterling, 37, July 5, 2016.

“Duck, get down”

Last words. Jordan Edwards, 15, April 29, 2017.

"Oh my God, why did you do that?”

Last words. Botham Jean, 26, September 6, 2018.

“...”

Last words. Atatiana Jefferson, 28, October 12, 2019.

"I can't breathe."

 Last words. George Floyd, 46, May 25, 2020.

“Am I in trouble”

Last words. Daunte Wright, 20, April 11, 2021.

BANG, BANG,

BANG (gunshots)

When innocent people become guilty.

Guilty of something they didn't know was wrong.

The color of their skin.

A crime punishable by death.

As if that's enough to justify their blood being spilled.

Every officer of the law has made this pledge,

“I will never betray my integrity, my character, or the public trust”

The mentality they work so hard to uphold,

But yet racism still finds a way to unfold.

Good or Bad

Innocent or Guilty.

It doesn't matter when the dark skin is so blinding.

That's all they see. 

They forget you bleed the same blood.

They forgot your life is more than the color of your skin.

Your skin should not define if you live or die.

It should not be considered a weapon. 

It should not determine who you are as a person.

For you decide who you are.

Your voice is strong,

It has the power to make change.

Your mind is brilliant,

It has the power to rise above injustice.

"Keep fighting."

Last words. Carmela, 15, February 1, 2022.