In February of this year, we set out to record the experiences of those who struggle within the criminal justice system in this country. We put out a Craigslist ad looking for people on probation or parole who were willing to share their story on camera in Atlanta or DC.
We received hundreds of responses, performed Skype pre-interviews with dozens of people, and headed down to Atlanta to film a handful of interviews. One of those interviews was with Rayshard Brooks. Stephen Quirk recorded these videos, and he’s written about his time with Rayshard.
Fast forward to today, and we’re living in a different world. We’re trying to figure out how to live and operate with COVID-19, millions of Americans are out of work, and the country has erupted in outrage that catalyzed when video of George Floyd’s murder went public.
When we learned that Rayshard was killed by the Atlanta Police, we were in shock. This man came to us with a smile that stretched from ear to ear, jumping at the chance to tell us about his experience with the justice system. This man recognized the ways that the system had created barriers for him, but was trying to figure out how to move through those barriers. This man talked about how he was working to earn back the trust of his little girls after he’d spent a year away from them, locked in jail. This man talked about the imperfection of the human condition and had the persistence to keep going, to keep trying to walk down the right path and do the right things.
As we watched back over his interview, it became clear how badly he wanted to be heard. To have an impact on the world. To have an impact on the system that he and so many other Americans— and specifically Black Americans— struggle within. We hope that by sharing his words, his legacy can be a sea change in the systems that have created a social pandemic in our communities of color for hundreds of years.
“We can’t get the time back … but we can make up for it.”
Rayshard Brooks
As a privileged white man, it didn’t feel right for me to make the decisions about how and where to share this footage and start this conversation. Thank you to Ché Alexander, Van Jones, Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins, and Andi Lichtenfeld for helping us navigate this sensitive topic and communicate with the Brooks family. I’d especially like to thank Atiim Boykin. Atiim is a musician, a therapist, a thinker, and someone who creates the change that he wants to see in the world, and we’re lucky to have him on our team at Reconnect. You can find Atiim’s thoughts on the moment here.
And, above all, thank you Rayshard for sharing your words with us. Black lives matter. They always have, and they always will.
Sincerely,
Sam Hotchkiss
Founder and CEO, Reconnect
We need more RECONNECTS, in his words he described the problem that we know is out there. I personally have served as a mentor for a relative who served 8 years in prison. I would send him messages while in prison that he had a job with my appliance company when he was to be released.
We need a database that police officers can see that individuals like Mr. Brooks is on the right track. Not just database that shows his criminal history. This way trained officers can handle the situations accordingly.
Thank you all for your special work
I’m sure the arresting officer would have handled the situation differently if he was aware of the individuals character, avoiding the incident that took place.
Thank you for memorializing Rayshard’s words here. Thank you also for all of the work you do for those looking to better themselves, and their communities.
Thank you for making public and I hope in the future your program can reach many more people to help them adapt to life out of prison
I’m so moved by this interview, yet I’m thankful. Thankful for Rayshard’s smile, and that he believed in himself with all the obstacles he faced. I’m thankful that he was able to tell his story, and the story of many others, unfortunately, who desperately need to be heard, and we need to hear them. He told the story of the criminal justice system which needs to be overhauled. I’m thankful that these issues are coming to light. We need to do better than this. We need a society where every life is valued and appreciated. Rayshard had so much to give. A former boss of his described him as someone who would go out of his way for others, and was loved by many. We have to not see him for the mistakes he made, but for the dreams he had to turn his life around. He did have an impact on the world, and even more so through this interview. Prayers for his family and loved ones. Thank you, Reconnect, for all your work.
I am so saddened that a young black man was murdered in cold blood. The system is so weighted against black men. The police have an overly aggressive approach. The USA needs to embrace love and understanding. I am saddened by all the systemic racism that is rearing its ugly head. I live in Australia and have become very aware of how targeted black men are because of the colour of their skin. White people do not experience near the profiling and being shot dead. There has to be a better way to deal with black men. He seemed to me like a nice guy who made a few mistakes but deserves a second chance. The system had targeted him as a felon not a human being. A long way to go to find equality. I have learned so much by watching YouTube videos. I am understanding why black men are scared of the law. They have a very good reason. I myself am scared of the police. But if I were black I would be petrified knowing my life could end at any second. If only there were mandated laws to have a lawyer or an intermediary every time a black man was met by police to circumvent this .
Obscene comment by Trump today about Rayshard’s death. Shame !! Raynard Brook really wanted to “make up for it”. Racist violence by police officers must stop and guilty cops must be tried and heavily condemn. Enough is enough !
Thank you for this. As a black woman from Atlanta, GA, I am heartbroken to know what happen to Rashard. I was hurt that the last visuals of this man alive would be those that were recorded that awful Friday night. Thank you for honoring him + providing a real last impression of this beautiful bold black man.
This was so important to see. Thank you for this. This sheds light on issues that so many people, including myself, don’t fully understand. Please keep doing this work. It’s so important. RIP Rayshard.
I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING THANKS FOR POSTING HIS WORDS AND ADVICE ON THIS MESSED UP SYSTEM WE HAVE THIS IS JUST HORRIBLE WHAT HAPPEN TO MY LITTLE BROTHER HE DIDN’T DESERVE HIS LIFE TO BE TAKEN ABOUT SOMETHING SO SENSELESS WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO KEEP HIS NAME ALIVE IN A POSITIVE WAY U CAN FOLLOW HIS INSTAGRAM PAGE AT @rayshardlaw AND WEBSITE RAYSHARDSLAW.COM TO KEEP UP WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING WE ARE TRYING TO CHANGE THE SPACE HE WAS SHOT IN INTO A PEACE CENTER IN REMEMBRANCE OF HIS LIFE 🙏🏾