Last Kind Words

I can’t breathe. I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. That’s my house. I was just going home. I’m an introvert. I’m just different. That’s all. I’m so sorry. I have no gun. I don’t do that stuff. I don’t do any fighting. Why are you attacking me? I don’t even kill flies! I don’t eat meat! But I don’t judge people, I don’t judge people who do eat meat. Forgive me. All I was trying to do was become better. I will do it. I will do anything. Sacrifice my identity, I’ll do it. You all are phenomenal. You are beautiful and I love you. Try to forgive me. I’m a mood Gemini. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Ow, that really hurt. You are all very strong. Teamwork makes the dream work. Oh, I’m sorry I wasn’t trying to do that. I just can’t breathe correctly.

—Elijah McClain, Aurora, 2019

[Unknown]

—Tamir Rice, Cleveland, 2014

They Tasing me!

—Walter Scott, North Charleston, 2015

[Unknown]

—Dion Johnson, Phoenix, 2020

I don’t have a gun! Stop Shooting!

—Michael Brown, Ferguson, 2014

Why did you shoot me?

—Kendrec McDade, Pasadena, 2012

I wasn’t reaching for it!

—Philando Castile, Falcon Heights, 2016

What are you following me for?

—Trayvon Martin, Miami, 2012

[Unknown]

—Tony McDade, Tallahassee, 2020

Mom, I’m going to college.

—Amadou Diallo, The Bronx, 1999

You shot me! You shot me!

—Oscar Grant III, Oakland, 2009

[Unknown]

—Patrick Dorismond, Manhattan, 2000

I’m still at a loss of words, honestly, about this whole process.

—Sandra Bland, Waller County, 2015

I didn’t even do nothing!

—Samuel DuBose, Cincinnati, 2015

I love you.

—Sean Bell, Queens, 2006

[Unknown]

—Timothy Stansbury, Jr., Brooklyn, 2004

[Unknown]

—Jamel Floyd, MDC Brooklyn, 2020

[Unknown]

—Terence Crutcher, Tulsa, 2016

[Unknown]

—Alton Sterling, Baton Rouge, 2016

[Unknown]

—Jamar Clark, Minneapolis, 2015

You promised you wouldn't kill me.

—Natasha McKenna, Fairfax, 2015

Somebody kicked in the door and shot my girlfriend!

—Kenneth Walker, on the phone with 911, after the killing of Breonna Taylor

Louisville, 2020

I can’t breath.

—Eric Garner, Staten Island, 2014

I can’t breath.

—Freddie Gray, Jr., Baltimore, 2015

I can’t breath.

—George Floyd, Minneapolis, 2020