The United States is under the effects of a big storm: Ferguson. The city has been struggling to return to normal since an unarmed 18-year-old African American, Michael Brown, was killed by a white police officer, Darren Wilson, last summer. Then last Tuesday after the grand jury announced their decision not to indict the officer, enormous protests and civil unrest erupted again not only in Ferguson, but in different cities across the U.S. Some people are very critical of the violent protests, while others say the protesters in Ferguson cannot be nonviolent until whites demonstrate a commitment to stand against structures that produce violence. It also sparked a debate about the relationship between law enforcement and African Americans and the use of the force doctrine by police.
Even though, on the face of it, the outrage appears to be centered on the injustice of the teenager's death, the deeper issues causing this strong reaction include racism, a lack of jobs, health care and education, budget cuts as well as the right to carry firearms. Obviously, America's social agreement is failing. Sadly, many Americans agree that it might get worse.
After the grand jury's decision, President Barack Obama last Monday declared that there is a "deep distrust and that divides black and brown people from the police." He pledged to increase his efforts to find solutions to the distrust between law enforcement and minority communities, saying, "The problem is not just a Ferguson problem. It's an American problem."
Take a look at the photo and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
- They are examples of African American heroes.
- All of them were murdered.
- They have become 'Alevit' heroes.
- All of them are lost their lives because of police brutality.
Take a look at the photo and share your thoughts in the comments section below.
The story is not a story of unarmed boy killed by police on the street but it is just another example of dehumanization, bigotry and demoralization that has been going on generation to generation. It doesn't matter who you are, what skin color you have, where you live, or what you believe, racially motivated violence is never acceptable.
For more Arzu Kaya-Uranli click here.