KOMPLEXIFY!

Philando Castile was the “lunch man” the kids all loved. Known to them as “Mr. Phil,” 32-year-old nutritional specialist was a Saint Paul native who had worked in the cafeterias of areas schools since 2002. He was as much a teacher as his colleagues: he swapped stories with the kids, made up secret handshakes with them, and taught them lessons about respect and honesty. Perhaps because he knew the struggles of being poor and Black –- he had been pulled over 46 times from 2002 to 2012 for various infractions (only 6 of were for actual traffic violations) and spent much his adult life paying off the tickets from them –- he would use his own money to help pay for kids’ lunch debts so they could eat.

Philando Castile was murdered by police on July 6, 2016, for legally owning a gun. Driving home with his girlfriend Diamond and her 4-year-old daughter, he was pulled over by cops on the pretext of a broken taillight, as they believed he fit the description of a robbery suspect: African-American male with a “wide-set nose.” Knowing he would have to reach into his pocket to get his license, Philando calmly informed the cop: “Sir, I have to tell you that I do have a firearm on me.” The cop told him “Don’t pull it out then,” to which Philando responded “I am not pulling it out.” In the next 10 seconds, the cop drew his pistol shot him 7 times at point blank range. As the cop interrogated Diamond (who live-streamed it on Facebook) with his gun still trained on Philando, he groaned “I wasn’t reaching” and slipped into unconsciousness. It would take 5 months of national protests for the cop to be charged with manslaughter; he would be acquitted of all charges.

Black lives matter.

Corey Jones was, according to his brother CJ, going to be more famous him or their cousins, who all played in the NFL. Though he enjoyed football too, Corey had his sights on something bigger. The 31-year-old was a talented musician who could play several instruments, and his faith compelled him to work to improve his community. He earned degrees in music and business management, and balanced his time working as a housing inspector in Palm Beach, Florida, and playing with his band, the Future Prezidents.

Corey Jones was murdered by the police on 10/18/15 over a disabled Hyundai. Returning home from a gig, he had car trouble around 3 AM and pulled over. Unable to get it running (even after a bandmate showed up briefly to help), he called for a tow truck. While on the phone with roadside assistance, a plainclothes cop pulled up in an unmarked van. The cop immediately pointed his gun at Corey, who ran. The cop, who at no point identified himself as police, shot him 6 times in the back has he fled, hitting him 3 times. The entire encounter, recorded on Corey’s phone call, took 20 seconds. The cop would lie and say he identified himself, that Corey threatened him, though the phone recording would disprove that. He would be convicted for Corey’s murder.

Black lives matter.

Alton Sterling was called the “CD Man.” The 37-year-old had spent much of his adulthood in and out of prison, but he determined to get on the right track and take care of his five children. He loved to cook for people, so he found work as a cook preparing meals for the residents of the local church shelter where he lived. He also sold CDs and DVDs – hence “CD Man”—outside the Triple S Food Mart in Baton Rouge, which was owned by his friend.

Alton Sterling was murdered by police on July 5, 2016, for selling CDs. Responding to an anonymous tip about a man waving a gun outside the Triple S (a report the store owner denies), two cops tased him and slammed him to the ground. As several onlookers circled and recorded, one officer sat on Alton, pinning him to the ground, while the second fired six shots into his chest at point-blank range. No charges were filed against the cops.

Black lives matter.

Sandra Bland was, in her words, a beautiful queen “here to change history.” The 28-year-old grew up in West Chicago with a love of music, singing in the church choir and playing trombone in the school band. This earned Sandy (as her friends called her) a scholarship to Prairie View A&M, a HBCU in Texas famous for its pioneering drum line. There, she discovered that Texas, having no income tax, makes up for its lost revenues through aggressive fees on municipal violations, a practice that disproportionately affects Black and poor communities. She began documenting the challenges faced by Black Americans on Facebook as a project called #SandySpeaks. “Good morning, my beautiful kings and queens!” she would say.

Sandra Bland was arrested by police on July 10, 2015, over a failure to use her turn signal when she yielded the right of way. The cop, who had so rapidly accelerated behind her that she assumed was responding to an emergency, demanded Sandra exit her vehicle. She refused to do so, noting no reason had been given to arrest her as she filmed the encounter, but relented when the cop drew his Taser and threatened “I will light you up.” Unable to post bail, she was sent to jail; unable to pay the $15 fee, she was unable to make calls from the phone in her cell. Jailers refused her requests to use the free phone at the front desk, and after two days alone in her cell, she was crying uncontrollably. On the third day, she was found hanged in it. No felony charges against the cop or jail staff were ever filed.

Black lives matter.