Who is this for?
If you have a story to tell but aren’t sure where to start, this page is for you. Use these questions to “interview” yourself. (You can also ask a friend to interview you using these questions.)
You can type out your answer, take a video, or make an audio recording. Whatever format you choose, use the “Share Your Story” page to submit your interview when you’re ready.
To reduce your legal risk, consider leaving out the names of officers and police departments. You may also omit your own name if you prefer. Click here to read and review the detailed Contribution Terms of Service.
Whatever you do, please take care of yourself. Sharing stories of police violence or intimidation can be overwhelming, and don’t forget that you can stop at any time. You are under no obligation to submit your interview, but if you do share your story, it can help us to document a people’s history of police violence in the Cleveland area, which is important to changing the narrative and righting the record about policing.
Preparing for Your Self-Interview
- Find a quiet space where you can spend 20-40 minutes.
- Grab yourself water or coffee or whatever you need to be comfortable.
- Test your recording device: make sure your voice is captured and (if you are making a video) that you are in the frame.
- Consider watching this 13 minute video for an example of a self-recorded account from our archive (set aside extra time if you decide to watch a video).
Questions to Answer for Your Self-Interview
Click here to access a google doc where you can print or download the questions.
- What happened?
- Where were you? What was the date and time?
- What led up to your encounter with police?
- What did the police do?
- Were you touched, shouted at, threatened?
- Were your rights respected?
- Were you told why you were being stopped?
- How did the encounter make you feel?
- Were you scared? Angry? Confused?
- What happened next?
- Were you arrested or let go? Injured? Charged with a crime?
- Did you talk to anyone about it or seek help or support?
- What do you want people to understand?
- What do you think the story shows about police in Cleveland?
- How has this encounter affected your life? Have the affects of this encounter continued afterward?
- What would justice look like to you?
- Is there anything else you’d like to share?
- How do you feel about sharing your story?
- Any last details from the encounter that you’d like to add?
If You Need Support
For trauma:
For legal help:
- Legal Aid Society of Cleveland