Anu Korukonda Period: 3
Enrichment Activity
Source: "The Fury of Ferguson." The Economist. The Economist Newspaper, 29 Nov. 2014. Web. 29 Nov. 2014. <http://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21635012-race-americas-deepest-problem-multiple-small-changes-can-mitigate-it-fury-ferguson>.
Headline: The Fury of Ferguson
Who: African-American population
What: Prejudice faced by African-American population in Ferguson
When: November 20th 2014
Where: Ferguson, Missouri
Why: In light of the grand jury’s acquittal of Darren Wilson, a white police officer who was charged with shooting Michael Brown,
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However, the political institutions in Ferguson are dominated by whites. For instance, out of the 56 police officers, only 3 are African Americans. This leads to the belief that law enforcement is racist. Local policies are also to be blamed for the prevailing perception that white law enforcement does not represent everyone in the town. About 20% of revenues in Ferguson are collected through fines and assets confiscation. This disproportionately impacts African American population as the majority belong to the poor segment of the population. Furthermore, the Mayor is a white Republican and his election does not inspire any confidence as he was elected when the voter turnout was less than 15%. The local elections need to engage all eligible voters of the town and importantly, should have a true representation of the population at the ground level. Additionally, the local government must consider the rules expounding the law enforcement in terms of in what situation police officers can use arms. The local government needs to find ways to improve the economic growth and also ensure that the local African American population is benefitting from that growth. That said, the local government must find ways for both whites and blacks to work together to improve collaboration and …show more content…
For peaceful protestors, their message could be misinterpreted and taken the wrong way. The media need to consider the possibility that there might be people who might partake in the protests for no reason. Furthermore, the family of Michael Brown and President Obama appealed for everyone to act calm; however, this was not given as much footage as the violent incidents, stoking an already delicate situation further. In this particular case, the grand jury was given sufficient time, evidence and almost all the information. Although the evidence pointed around the facts that the people involved were an unarmed African-American teenager and a policeman and whether the police man was acting rightfully, the media sensationalized this news to such an extent that they made this story about race. Instead of concentrating on the actions and the ethics of the policeman and focusing on the jury’s decision, the media has therefore imprinted a false perception of the whole story. The media needs to think about a better way to portray the news as to prevent a division within the
During the past couple months a controversial case was brought to the grand jury in Ferguson. The jury decided to not indict Officer Darren Wilson, who shot Michael Brown. This major decision caused uprising, riots, protests, and lootings in the town of Ferguson. Many protesters feel this is a race issue, when clearly it is not. The grand jury did the right thing to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown. Michael Brown was guilty because he assaulted a police officer, the actions Michael Brown took apart in, and
On August 9th 2014 in Ferguson Missouri a suburb north of Saint Louis, 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot by police officer Darren Wilson after allegedly robbing a convenience store. The initial dispute over the circumstances surrounding Brown’s death resulted in tensions and civil unrest in a predominately African American city, where a police officer had just fatally shot an unarmed African American teenager. A grand jury chose not to indict Wilson leading to his exoneration of any criminal wrongdoing by the United States Justice Department. These events received large-scale media attention and drew protesters from across the country, resulting in intense debate about the relationship between law enforcement and civilians, with special attention being given to what consists as an appropriate use of force.
August 9th marks the two-year anniversary of the fatal shooting of black 18-year-old Micheal Brown. Brown was unarmed when shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer, in Ferguson, Missouri. The shooting caused many protests that disturbed the area for weeks. The story sparked controversy during the time the police, public, and media attempted to assign blame. Not much has changed since then. Despite “who was at fault” or if the victim was “no angel” (Mapping Police Violence) the issue of police using excessive force is still at an inclined rate. This rate may be inclined but from year to year, the numbers are somewhat consistent. These numbers only become staggering once compared to the low numbers in police brutality around
The protest between Ferguson’s residents and the city’s government has really had a great impact on political views regarding whether racism between police officers and high officials still exist and its effects towards african americans.
Media spiked many thoughts that police brutality is a big deal in today’s times, which then lead to the huge riots throughout the city of Ferguson where Darren Wilson and his family had to be protected from thousands of protestors who threatened his life as well as the entire city. The real story as well as the autopsy reports later came out to show that officer Wilson did not shoot him numerous times as he was running
After the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed, 18 year old black man by a police officer of Ferguson Missouri, the community took to the streets in a movement to protest a pervasive racial tension that some believe may have caused the shooting. Amidst riots, marches and other public demonstrations, Ferguson mayor James Knowles has given statements and interviews to the press to address both the tragedy and the allegations of racial conflict and profiling in Ferguson being at the root of the tragedy. Among these press appearances was an interview on the Steve Malzberg Show, four days after the shooting, wherein Mayor Knowles’ efforts to perform PR damage control give insight into how he views the town, and how some authority figures
As crime statistics rise in cities across the United States, people are left with the question: Why? While there are numerous theories, one of the most debated ideas has coined its name from the city of Ferguson, Missouri. The death of an unarmed black eighteen-year-old man named Michael Brown outraged the citizens of Ferguson; which is a predominantly black society on the north side of St. Louis. Other blacks involved in altercations with the police (that subsequently ended in their deaths) sparked even more unrest, generating rifts between local law enforcement agencies and citizens around the country. As a result of these rifts, violent protestors have bombarded Ferguson, attacking the city with an un-relentless
The day is Aug. 9 and 18 yr. old Michael Brown has just been shot. Due to the tension dividing the country Brown’s death was immediately looked at as a racial issue. The country saw it as an unarmed black teenager shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. The shooting
After Michael Brown was killed by Darren Wilson the tension blew up into a riot. The events received considerable attention in the U.S. and elsewhere, attracted protesters from outside the region, and generated a vigorous debate about the relationship between law enforcement and African Americans as well as created a national dialogue about police use of force doctrine in Missouri and nationwide. The court case that followed the shooting was led by Robert McCulloch in a highly unusual process. Instead of conducting an investigation and gathering information the prosecutor, Robert McCulloch left jurors to wade through mass amounts of information to determine the outcome. (Placeholder cite) His office left no recommendation as to whether or not Darren Wilson should be indicted or not. The unfair treatment discussed just is not in this one area there are hundreds of these communities being treated just as unfair as the Ferguson community. Those communities should band together and protest for a change so everybody in the United States can be treated equally. All of these issues matter and are very important. People in our country no matter what race, religion, or sexuality should be treated as equals. Everybody should protest together for a change, a change for everybody to have the same rights as the common white man. This is an issue everybody in our
Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, was shot and killed on August 2014, by Darren Wilson, a white police officer, in Ferguson, Mo. Brown, an 18-year-old African-American was fatally shot and killed in the street shortly after robbing a convenience store. The disputed circumstances of the shooting of the unarmed young man sparked existing tensions in the majority-black community and law enforcements in Ferguson, Mo. The event received considerable attention in the U.S. and elsewhere, attracted protesters from outside the region, and generated a powerful debate about the relationship between law enforcement and African Americans and the police use of excessive force. The shooting prompted protests that shaken the area for weeks. The announcement of the grand jury that they decided not to indict Mr. Wilson set off another wave of protests. Many police officers have defended Wilson, pointing out that officers patrolling violent neighborhoods risk their lives, while demonstrators saw the case in terms of racism and police brutality. However, Brown’s killing and the following events in Ferguson became a national controversy touching on much larger national issues of race, justice, and police brutality. While the specifics of the Brown shooting involved is not clear, the situation would have been dramatically different had Wilson worn body camera which would have recorded the actual event. With new body camera technology
All across the nation, in the news the black community has been making their voice heard, in regards to white police brutality, and murder against the unarmed black community. Many of these brutal attacks and flat out murders of unarmed black people haven’t been largely prosecuted, some officers have even been acquitted of any wrong doing or murder. This has led to outrage in the African American community at large. The shooting of an unarmed black teen named Michael Brown caused the racial strain in this country to break.
On August 4th, 2014, an eighteen year old boy by the name of Michael Brown was killed by Darren Wilson. Mr. Wilson was an officer of the Ferguson Police Department. He was a twenty-eight year old white male and was accused of killing Michael out of racial hatred. This case was examined but not enough evidence was accumulated to charge Mr. Wilson with the murder of Michael (Moylan). This act of violence touched many people’s hearts but made many people angry. It was thought that the FPD was being racist when Michael was killed because of statistic after the investigation. The arrest rate in seven felonies in the FDP decreased by over fifty percent and the police commissioner stated that overall crime decreased. (Newsday) After these statistics were reviewed, some thought it was time for repercussions. This in turn was the reason behind
Racial injustice against people of colour is an immense, ongoing issue that has not only targeted lives but has also taken many innocent lives. In America, these racial divisions date back to the days of slavery, where black people were denied of their basic human rights because of discrimination. In present day, some individuals view America as a post-racial environment, due to such victories as electing a black president; but the brutal, fatal and unjust events in Ferguson, Missouri prove that these divisions are still present. On August 9th, 2014, an unarmed, 18 year old black teen was shot and killed by Darren Wilson, a white police officer. The events that led to the death of Michael Brown occurred on an early morning where Mr. Wilson stopped Michael Brown and a friend after leaving a convenience store. An altercation occurred which prompted Mr. Brown to flee and officer Wilson to begin shooting. The death of Mr. Brown caused the city to stand up against police brutality through peaceful protest, looting, and even violence, to gain justice for Mr. Brown and his family. As the protests grew, the police used military tactics such as, tear gas, to “maintain order” during the unrest of the city. In recent, news the grand jury decided that Officer Darren Wilson was not responsible for the death of Michael Brown, which led to a larger public outrage not only in America, but also across the
One of the most recent national conflicts deals with the shooting and killing of Michael Brown (a black man) by a white police officer ("Holder Announces Ferguson Probe, Review of St. Louis County Police Practices."). Sense Perception and Emotion should be considered when evaluating this situation at Ferguson. The sense perception of the witnesses as well as that of the two involved in the physical conflict needs to be taken into consideration. The police officer could have believed he was defended himself, and Brown could have thought the same. The witnesses and the surrounding population’s opinions should also be considered. St. Louis County is notorious for their crime rate and their protest/ riot like movements. These riots can probably be credited for getting this situation national attention because of the actions and the
One community that stands out the most for the conflict between law enforcement and their community is Ferguson, Missouri. On August 9, 2014 Darren Wilson, 28, a white Ferguson police officer fatally shot Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African-American male (McLaughlin). This case started one of the biggest uproar the nation has ever seen between community and law enforcement. When the incident first occurred there were many pieces of information missing to paint a scenario of how and what occurred between Brown and officer Wilson. Apparently Michael Brown was walking home late at night when officer Darren Wilson and Michael Brown got into a confrontation that lead to Wilson shooting Brown, the case goes