"Once you realize the scope of the hostility Blacks face from even simple police encounters, you will never see the world the same way again..." "Probably the most important book for all African Americans, young or old, to read and pass around... It could save your life to be more aware of the way things go down when the police get involved, so fast and so bad..."
"Life-changing in its simplicity... quick to read, hard to put down, impossible to forget..."
New Black Saints & Martyrs of the 21st Century serves to honor the memories of some of the many Black lives recently cut short by "interactions" with the police.
"A man dies when he refuses to stand up for that which is right. A man dies when he refuses to stand up for justice. A man dies when he refuses to take a stand for that which is true." -The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Selma, AL 1965
As you read the names and brief stories of our fallen brothers and sisters, remember them as the true new Black Saints and Martyrs of our cause in this new century.
None of the Black Saints in this book decided to get martyred on the day they interacted with the police and ended up dead. Often, simple situations escalated without warning. Often, our Black brothers and sisters were unarmed. It didn't matter. Each ended up being killed by the police. Quite a few of the Martyrs were shot in the back. Not surprisingly, the police were usually never held accountable.
This book intends for you to do your own research and ask your own questions. It is only a starting point that's why every story is short and quick. As you read the stories of police interaction and martyrdom you will understand why these new Saints cannot be forgotten if justice is to prevail.
We must never forget our fallen brothers and sisters and in doing so, we must also make sure the police violence against us stops. And we must hold the police accountable.
Sadly, many people have not heard of the names and tragic stories in this book. You may have heard some of the names. But many of the names were not widely known. That is another important reason to get this book out there.
This book is also intended -to start conversations -to be read and re-read often -to open eyes -to be shared with others -to be given to loved ones -to be passed around among friends -to keep us alert -to remind us that these are not just isolated events -to encourage us to do our own research and follow the facts, and hold the media and the police accountable.
This edition includes the following New Black Saints & Martyrs all martyred in the 21st Century: Tanisha Anderson, Sean Bell, Sandra Bland, Rekia Boyd, Rumain Brisbon, Michael Brown Jr., Miriam Carey, Philando Castile, Alexia Christian, John Crawford III, Michelle Cusseaux, Shantel Davis, Patrick Moses Dorismond, Sharmel Edwards, Malcolm Ferguson, Janisha Fonville, Ezell Ford, Shelly Frey, Korryn Gaines, Eric Garner, Pearlie Golden, Ramarley Graham, Oscar Grant III, Freddie Gray, Kimani Gray, Akai Gurley, Mya Hall, Dontre Hamilton, Eric Courtney Harris, Meagan Hockaday, Darrien Hunt, Kathryn Johnston, Aiyana Mo'Nay Stanley-Jones, Kenny Lazo, Antonio Martin, Trayvon Martin, Laquan McDonald, Natasha McKenna, Gabriella Nevarez, Dante Parker, Jerame Reid, Tamir Rice, Tamon Robinson, Tony Terrell Robinson, Walter Scott, Alberta Spruill, Timothy Stansbury, Jr., Phillip White, Tarika Wilson, Ousmane Zongo.
Finally, with heavy hearts, we know that there are so many more that were martyred since January 1, 2000, and who need to be remembered. If you have other new Black Saints & Martyrs for consideration for the next edition, instructions on how to safely submit names to us are included in the Foreword section.
