HELFWORKS

Facing the Truth

We honor our dead by remembering them, and by saying their names in prayer and ceremony. In America, where police inflict a disproportionate harm to unarmed people of color, the Black Lives Matter movement is calling for us to say the names and recognize those who've lost their lives to police brutality. Artists paint their portraits so that we cannot overlook them. Many have not received justice, and supporters want their cases reopened. We must also face the truth that discrimination and callous insensitivity flourish within our society.

Here is Tamir Rice, a twelve-year-old boy with a toy gun, shot dead November 22, 2014, by Cleveland police immediately on pulling up in their patrol car. Video shows police knocking his sister to the ground and forcing her into the car when she ran to check on her little brother.

Here also is Sandra Bland, found hanging in a Texas jail cell, July 13, 2015, 3 days after arrested at a traffic stop.

Here you'll find Walter Scott, shot in the back in North Charleston, South Carolina, April 4, 2015. He'd been stopped because of a broken brake light.

---