Here in the year 2014, racism is till very obvious to everyone’s eyes. Minorities aren’t treated well in restaurants, they are given fewer choices than white people with the same background, and they also are still the last ones to be chosen on the playground or in gym class when picking teams for dodge ball. No one is born racist. It is something that is taught through cultural transmission, just like language. Slavery was abolished in 1865 under Abraham Lincoln, which was only several generations ago, but the hatred that some older white folks have for African Americans is still unreasonably alive. How might the events that have recently occurred in Ferguson, Missouri affect how racism plays such a dominant role in today’s society involving …show more content…
On the unfortunate afternoon of August 9, 2014, an unarmed black teenager named Michael Brown was fatally shot six times after an alleged altercation between him and Ferguson police officer, Daren Wilson. Though there is no video footage of the incident, there are multiple witnesses who attest to the same story, which goes as follows. Brown was walking in the street with one of his friends, Dorian Johnson, when a police officer confronted him and told them to get out of the street. The two responded with the fact that they would soon be at their destination and would then move out of the street. According to an account from Johnson, the police officer grabbed them and they struggled through the window of the police cruiser, during which a shot was fired. After managing to get away from Wilson’s grasp, the two took off in separate directions down the street. Wilson shot Brown a total of six times as he was trying to escape. The reports have varied accounts as to whether or not Brown had his hands raised or not when Wilson was shooting. The evidence all mainly points to an innocent, yet dead, Michael Brown in the end,
Reading the legal summary of the killing of Michael Brown, there were many factors that went into Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson’s shooting, whether it was justified or not. According to the investigation conducted by the Justice Department, several witnesses stated that Michael Brown appeared to pose a physical threat to Darren Wilson as he moved toward Wilson. These witnesses stated that as Brown continued to move toward Wilson, Darren Wilson fired at Brown in what appeared to be in self-defense. Witnesses also stated that Wilson stopped firing once Brown fell to the ground. In Wilson’s statement, he said he feared Brown would assault him because of Brown’s conduct in the SUV.
On August 9th, 2014, Michael Brown, an innocent young black teenager was murdered in Ferguson, Missouri by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. Since the dashboard cameras are not installed in Ferguson police cars, the clear evidence of what happened is still unclear. But based on the testament of Brown’s friend Johnson who was walking with Brown, they were ordered to move off the street onto sidewalks by Wilson driving a police car, and there were struggles between Michael and Wilson through the car window. Then Michael, without carrying any weapon, was shot six times by Wilson to death, even after Michael had raised his
On Saturday August 9, 2014 in the town of Ferguson, Missouri, an 18 year old man named Michael Brown was shot ten times and killed by a police officer. The police officer’s name is Darren Wilson. He was 28 years old at the time this tragic even took place. Many Americans, both black and white believe that officer Wilson is guilty of first degree murder when he shot Michael Brown, and other Americans believe he acted in self-defense. Because of the fact that the officer is white and Michael Brown was black, the case has stirred up plenty of controversy and differences in opinions nationwide.
On August 9, 2014 Michael Brown, an 18 year old black man was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a 28 year old white man on the Ferguson Missouri Police Force. Before the altercation Brown robbed a convenience store where he stole several packages of cigarillos and shoved the store clerk to the ground when the clerk tried stopping him from leaving. The police were called and nearby Officer Darren Wilson caught up with Brown which led into an altercation between the two which began for the control of Wilson’s gun. During the altercation the gun was fired and Brown ran, with Wilson in hot pursuit behind him. When Brown stopped running he turned and faced Wilson and started moving closer to Wilson. Wilson then pulled the trigger and shot Brown
The recent shooting of Michael Brown has stirred anger and bitterness in the mostly African American community of Ferguson. Protestors are claiming that Officer Darren Wilson, the police officer who killed Brown on August 9th, illegally killed the young, 18 year old boy. Police officers should not be shooting anyone unless they feel as if their life or anyone else’s life is in danger. Currently, the stories of witnesses and police are different. According to the St. Louis County police, Wilson stepped out of his car, but Brown pushed him. Short after, a struggle ensued in the car, and Brown attempted to take the
Police brutality within North America has created a divide within its population. Being a minority living in North America, I have seen what life is like for those who experience the effects of Police brutality. Whether it’s my Dad, Mom, Sister, or Brothers, we’ve all been a witness/or effected by the actions of Police brutality. Police brutality has created a divide between North American minorities and majorities. Therefore, this divide will also create a divide within the economy and different classes living within North America. Police brutality is perceived to take place where there is a high density of minorities, and is often carried out by a white male. Police know they are given power by the Government/Country, and therefore have the
“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened” (John F. Kennedy). Police Brutality is a violation to the Federal Civil Rights Act. If cruelly beaten, kicked, and thrown by a person who is supposed to ensure the law, will you then trust them afterwards? Will your rights be valid then? Officers wear the badge and uniform which will make them feel superior making them think the law is in their hands and can twist and change it as they please. Jessica Watson-Crosby comments on the police brutality history and says, from the point of view of its victims, police were seen as protecting the upper classes. Police violence only came under scrutiny when “decent” people became victims, usually accidentally. As you see the chaos created by officers has been in the United States for a long time and has worsened over time. “Police are guaranteed a steady living. Unlike other workers , they typically are not threatened by layoffs or pay cuts” (Watson-Crosby). All who did not give their opinion over the authority were left unharmed and for the ones who spoke to let their rights be known were not as lucky. “Many police see themselves as part of the upper classes “the enforcers of social value” even while the upper classes see them as ignorant brutes. As a rule, the upper
In today society, police brutality is seen in many news media. You cannot go on social media or television without seeing a police officer shooting an unarmed African American male for very little reason. Recently twenty-three years old Stephon Clark was shot by Sacramento office officers in the back for allegedly resisting arrest for breaking windows. When comes to police brutality, African Americans is the fore front of this topic. This topic called police brutality goes back to the slave patrol when the patrollers will monitor the slaves and the slave owners to make sure that the slaves will get the punishment for staying out of order. As Black America knows, this problem has been embedded in our community and in America for over 200 years, while white America is till hearing about it. However, that not one of the biggest problem with this issue. The issue is when African American women like myself or male will stop seeing cops getting away for murder or assault. When I am going to stop seeing my people rioting and show the criminal justice how angry we are with this racial systematic practice.
Whatever is going on between the black community and the police force is reflective of the deep-seated racial system in the United States and in particular, within the US judicial system (Tharoor). Police brutality is a thorny issue in the US society mainly due to misconduct on the police side and hatred on the community’s side. However, the current police killings of black people and retaliation of the black community are not because every police officer is racial; they are rather a result of few bad elements in the US law enforcement system. Such police officers are making it dangerous for both the black population and the police force to coexist in the society. Therefore, it is my belief that the current situation between black people and the police is the result of the racism that exists in a few police officials.
Police Brutality is an ongoing problem and existent concern in the United States and should be resolved immediately. Law enforcement must function as an element that consists of organized and civilized officers. The presence of police brutality is becoming more of an issue as society grows. The problem posed by the illegal exercise of police power is an ongoing reality for individuals of a disfavored race, class, or sexual orientation. Police brutality must be stopped so that police do not forget who they are serving – not themselves, but the public. This means that even the criminals, who are a part of the public, have certain rights, particularly, civil rights. Police brutality causes a major concern in today’s society in America and
Police abuse remains as one of the most deliberate human rights violations in the United States. For over a decade police have acted in ways that makes us question their professionalism. Makes the wonder if law enforcement are taking advantage of their criminal justice “powers” October 22 is “National Day of Protest to Stop Police Brutality, Repression and Criminalization of an Entire Generation”. (Aol News). On October 22 many people across the country wear black to fight back against police brutality. Bad police have to be stopped so they don’t forget who they are serving – not themselves but the public. Police Brutality has caused a major concern in the United States.
Police brutality is the use of excessive force when dealing with civilians. Police abuse is one of the most serious human rights violations in the United States. It has been around for decades, which leads us to the thought “Are they keeping us safe from danger or are they the danger?” There are many cases of police using excessive force. Unjustified shootings, severe beatings, tasings, and rough treatment have all contributed to the problem of police brutality in America. According to “MINTpress News”, seven hundred and seventy-six people were killed by the police in 2015. One hundred and sixty-one of the people were unarmed at the time of their death. The leading causes of police brutality are minorities being unfairly targeted, excessive force, police being increasingly militarized, and many departments not providing adequate training in nonviolent solutions.
The summer of 2014 in Ferguson M.O. there was a black teenager by the name of Michael Brown. Brown was shot by a white police officer at the end of that summer. When Brown was shot this caused a worldwide debate between a person's race and the policing that is done in America. After the occurrence of this shooting tensions ran high in Ferguson when it comes to race. According to BBC News, from the time that officer Darren Wilson confronted Brown, it only took three minutes from the confrontation to when backup came and found Brown dead. At the time of the shooting Dorian Johnson who was a friend of Brown’s and was there. Johnson said that everything started at the window of the police car. An unnamed witness said that officer Wilson tried to get out of his car but was pushed back in and punched. Wilson reached for his gun, and Brown grabbed it from him. This is what caused the gun to go off inside the car. She said that when Brown ran off he turned around to taunt Wilson when he was told to freeze. Brown then started to run at full speed toward Wilson, and that was when he was shot dead. The unnamed witness’s story matches the one that officer Wilson gave in front of the St. Louis grand
On Aug. 9, 2014, two unarmed teenagers were walking the streets of Ferguson, a suburb of St. Louis. The names of the two unarmed teenagers were Michael Brown and his friend Dorian Johnson. All of sudden a police officer named Darren Wilson rushes towards them in his police car and begins to tell them to get on the ground. The boys had committed no crime and were only one mile from their destination, they were simply trying to get home and off the streets. Things escalated and the officer pulled out his gun and told them that he would shoot them. As he was saying these words the officer pulled the trigger and shot Michael Brown. Both of the boys started sprinting away from Officer Wilson. The officer continued to pursue Michael Brown and then the unthinkable happened. Dorian Johnson says in an interview, "He shot again, and once my friend felt that shot, he turned around and he put his hands in the air and he started to get down, but the officer still approached with his weapon drawn, and he fired several more shots". Michael Brown was shot dead. The shooting immediately caused riots around the community of Ferguson for weeks.
Police brutality against minorities across the United States has become a huge topic of interest. There are multiple events where interactions with minorities have had a horrible outcome. Police brutality is defined as the use of excessive force against a civilian and has caught the attention of many in the past few decades. This paper will argue that law enforcement officers disproportionally target minorities as criminal suspects. Racial profiling takes place due to law enforcement officers already having a bias from the composition of minorities that have been charged, convicted and incarcerated. The rate of minorities being brutally abused or ending up dead after interacting with law enforcement officers, leads me to believe that officers have a bias towards minorities based on their bad encounters. Does the race of an individual contribute to police brutality?