Ever since I learned that Corey Ruiz was shot and killed by a Madison Police officer while trying to apprehend him on July 22^nd, my mind has been preoccupied with all of the issues and feelings and angst that ripple out from those few moments when the actual act occurred.

My mind has been on overdrive, consciously and subconsciously, trying to absorb it all and trying to figure out how The Hues — with a staff of basically one — could be relevant as a small fish in a relatively large pond. And then again, The Hues has to be what it is, an African American, Latine, Asian American and Euro-American owned, written and read newspaper. And so it is from the community that we absorb and reflect on Corey Ruiz and the tragedy that has unfolded.

To understand Corey, I tried to get interviews with people who were close to him including his mom. But Ben Crump, the esteemed civil rights lawyer, — and most governmental sources —basically shut everything down in terms of gaining a greater understanding of the humanity of those involved. It has been reported that Corey had a rap sheet that included resisting arrest. Corey is no choir boy, but who is he?