Monday, October 6, 2014
Remember Ferguson?
This summer the town of Ferguson, MO erupted when police forces attacked unarmed, peaceful protesters. The protesters were and still are protesting because the cop that shot the unarmed teenager Michael Brown still walks free. This article is an update published on October 6th about what is happening in Ferguson now. I think it's important to keep Ferguson in the spotlight because it demonstrates lack of communication between the federal and local levels and how media focus can be misleading. Since the media is not reporting on Ferguson as often as a topic like ebola, people have forgotten the importance of what is happening there.
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Before I address the article I'd like to express my opinion on the situation in Ferguson. First of all, when the officer shot the teenager it was dark. How could he have been able to tell that he was unarmed? Also, when a police officer tells you not to approach the vehicle you don't approach the vehicle. On the other hand, I think that the way this officer went about defending himself was too aggressive. He did not need to shot to kill. He could have shot him in a place such as the foot or used another method to defend himself that wouldn't result in the teens death. I think that the people who think that this was an attack based upon race are off base, but I see why they are upset about his death. I do not agree that it is necessary to keep Ferguson in the news; however, the situation needs to be controlled. By keeping them in the news we are just giving the violent protestors what they want. Attention. I think that if we keep them out of the news the tensions in the city will be able to settle and they can begin to repair the damages and rebuild.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of the Ferguson situation, my opinion on the event is quite similar to Mackenzie's. I think that Brown should have listened to the instructions of the officer rather then disregarding them. I also feel that Officer Wilson reacted in the worst possible manner. There were other options of self defense that could have been used by Wilson. If he felt it was too dangerous to use a taser or pepper spray, they he could've have easily shot the teenager in the leg or foot, just enough to bring him to the ground but not kill him.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to discussing the article, I think that as Americans we should here about Ferguson in the news. These our protests and riots happening in out own nation. I think once the jury makes a decision, which ever choice they make people will be unhappy. But, I think after the outcome, the protests will slowly die down and we can then stop news coverage on Ferguson.
I'm actually torn on my opinion about the Ferguson situation. I understand that the police officer was too extreme in his actions, but Brown should have known that when you disregard the orders of a police officer and proceed to act in a suspicious manner, then something will happen to you. Despite that, I agree that this should still be in the news. American media focuses on an event for a few days until the newest and juiciest information leaks, then they move on to the next story. This, though, is important because it deals with many social and governmental issues that should be addressed rather than put on the back burner.
ReplyDeleteThere is no solid base for forming a valid opinion on the shooting of Michael Brown. Eyewitness testimonies and cellphone video produced by both Black and White people show Brown assaulting and disobeying the officer; however, there is an equal number of testimonies saying the opposite. If Brown did, in fact, assault Officer Wilson he received unsurprising results. On the other hand, if he was on his knees with his hands up, an extensive investigation must be carried out. The present issue is how Ferguson PD should handle the deteriorating conditions in the town. Some think they are attempting to suppress opinions against the PD, this is not the case. The crackdown is a just response to the theft, destruction of property, and unrest perpetrated by opportunists simply using the incident for an excuse to cause havoc and get a new pair of Nike's. However, the use of military grade hardware and armored vehicles by Ferguson PD is absolutely unwarranted in a United States suburb. As for the media, they have been instrumental in fanning the flames of racial tension and increasing animosity towards law enforcement. News outlets need to take a more detached strategy of reporting on issues like this one, but they surely shouldn't be silent on them.
ReplyDeleteA part of me agrees with Mackenzie because I do think that the shooting was partly a mistake. The officers actions were extreme but certain situations are hard to think straight in. He should be punished but not too harshly because not all the blame can be put on just the officer. The protesters have the right to protest but they should not have the right to destroy property of innocent people. The protests are a little too violent. I think this issue should be kept in the news because it is still ongoing and it should not just be thrown out because it's getting boring. News don't always need to concern the most entertaining things.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ethan. I believe that Darren Wilson was too extreme with his actions and that Brown should have obeyed the officers orders. But now these days, it makes me slightly distrust police because everyday, it seems like some sort of police brutally or another situation occurring with police is in the news. Especially with the recent shooting in St. Louis where a police officer fired off 17 rounds which killed 18 year old Vonderrit Myers. On the other hand, Wilson did only shoot 6 rounds but to me, that is a couple rounds too much if he Brown was in the kneeling position. Of course, there are different stories and we don't know which one is actually true to believe. I think that we should not have media attention of this situation because it is happening in our own country but like many others have already said, I think that we should have the media lay low about Ferguson and let those who mourn mourn and let tensions ease.
ReplyDeleteAs our society becomes more and more obsessed with the ideas of racial tension and police brutality I think it is easy to forget the fundamentals that we are taught in kindergarten. Do on to others as you would have them do unto you. This simple phrase expresses the basic need for compassion in society. Yes, police have authority over some actions and should be able to enforce the safety of others, but if someone was acting suspicious it wold be quite evident that there is a need to approach the victim. In the case of Darren Wilson, his actions were under-thought and over-enforced. In the case of Michael Brown, he was not thinking as well. The most important thing that we can teach to provide the safety of everyone is to be thinkers and to contemplate our actions before making them.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to keep up with the news about Ferguson. It's crazy to think that this is going on in America in 2014, and racial tensions still exist despite people's ignoring them. In my opinion, fatal force should not be used until an officer's life is threatened. Brown was unarmed and, according to the eyewitness accounts, far away from Darren Wilson with his hands up. To shoot someone at this point despite any scuffle, in my opinion, is not self-defense, but Wilson being angry and firing based on this. No person should have the power to kill another person based on such rash decision-making as that. It's naive to think that all people don't see skin color anymore. Perhaps race didn't come into play in this situation, but the fact that this man went on paid leave after the incident and that people across the country started a gofundme to pay this man for killing a teenager is absurd. I agree with Aileen that the events in Ferguson and the dozens of other accounts of police brutality across the country make me distrust the police.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Rachel. A police officer's first instinct should not be to shoot, then determine whether or not the person they shot was guilty. Even if one made the argument that Darren Wilson was justified in shooting a 'suspicious' unarmed teenager, this is not an isolated incident. This is not the first time officers have used force where it was unnecessary. This isn't even the first time a black teenager was shot at for walking around at night. Clearly, there is a problem, and race is a factor in it. Also, there is absolutely nothing that justifies letting someone go on paid leave for making a 'mistake' that cost a young man his life.
ReplyDeleteLaw enforcement does a lot of good for us but unfortunately they also do some bad. In this case in think the officer was wrong and should be facing jail time for his actions. In his defense though you never know what your pulling up on and the area he was in is a very dangerous area, and when you shoot someone I hate to say it but you shoot to kill. A gun is a lethal weapon with a purpose to kill.If you don't shoot to kill you would have used a taser or another non lethal weapon. I also believe that people are doing the right thing by protesting. Law enforcement has to follow the laws they enforce and in this case on officer didn't and it will be a shame if he walks free.
ReplyDeleteThe events that have unfolded in Ferguson should be a wake up call regarding police brutality across the United States. Michael Brown is just one of many victims of the abuse of power; he was not the first, and sadly I do not believe he will be the
ReplyDeletelast. I am absolutely not generalizing police officers; there are many who do great service to this country. Whether or not Darren Wilson is found guilty of murder, I believe he used excessive force by murdering Brown. The total of six shots (two to the head) doesn't sound like a police officer who simply wanted to disable a suspect. There was intent to murder. I hope this event encourages other methods of disabling suspects rather than multiple rounds of gun shots.
I am troubled by the situation in Ferguson. Whether or not we think Michael Brown's killing was justified, none of us were in the shoes of Darren Wilson when he shot Brown. I believe it would have been equally tragic if Wilson showed greater restraint and did not shoot only for Brown to have killed him instead. Regardless of whether the shooting was justified, the aftermath certainly was not. Even if it is found that Wilson was not justified in killing Brown, there is no justification for rioting and looting. The Rev. Martin Luther King, an effective leader of protests on civil rights, would have the strongest condemnation for those acts, I believe. If the citizens of Ferguson feel they were wronged, violent protests are not going to get them more sympathy. They need to look back to the peaceful protest methods of King's era that actually caused positive change. Breaking windows and burning down convenience stores can cause no good for anyone.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Olivia that the number of shots fired at Michael Brown was excessive. There was no need for Darren Wilson to fire that many shots at him simply to disarm him. This excessive violence and the fact that Wilson was offered paid leave gives Ferguson a clear right to be upset. At the same time, though, as upset as they may be, they still do not have the right to damage the property of innocent business owners. They can protest all they want, but it is not fair for them to hurt others in the process.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that people have forgotten about the situation in Ferguson saddens me because it proves that the average American is more willing to be worked up into a frenzy due to a lot of hype than he/she is to actually care about important things and press for resolution. The violent protests are a bad move and will not receive respect from most people, which is disappointing because, had there been more organization and leadership among the protestors, I believe that a lot of good could have come of the tragedy in the end.
ReplyDeleteDue to the fact that the verdict in Officer Wilson's trial has not yet been determined, it would be inappropriate for me to share my personal opinion on the case, because any opinion would be formed prematurely on the basis of incomplete evidence. Having said that, Andy makes an excellent point by contrasting the violent protests with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s highly effective peaceful protests. It's unfortunate that the lawless, hateful actions of some members of the Ferguson community have overshadowed the peaceful protests being conducted by law-abiding citizens who genuinely seek justice, rather than more tension. Meanwhile, the media has jumped at the opportunity to perpetuate the false narrative that extremely rare, isolated incidents of racially motivated police brutality committed by individuals (although, not necessarily in this case - as I said, no definite conclusion has been reached in Wilson's trial) indicate a trend of racist law enforcement. Convicting people before all the evidence has been collected and evaluated, demonizing the entire criminal justice system, and implying that mass racial conflict still poses a problem in American society solve nothing. Investigating specific cases honestly, prosecuting individuals, and holding guilty people accountable for their actions do yield solutions.
ReplyDeleteLike most other people, I feel that it is difficult to form an opinion on these events without knowing all the details. Based on my understanding of this event and the police force, an officer would not shoot someone for no reason. Though it may be true that Officer Wilson should have exercised more restraint, it is also true that Wilson clearly believed that he was in danger and that he had to protect himself. Although Brown is made out to be the victim here, it is still unclear whether Brown antagonized the officer or whether Brown was compliant. Until we have all the information, I think that it would be wise to not immediately condemn Wilson and to refrain from saying that it was Brown's fault that he died. The looting is a different issue, as I do not see how it makes sense that people have begun to loot stores because of these events. People who take advantage of a situation such as the one in Ferguson by looting for their own personal gain are only serving to discredit the protests and the community in the public eye.
ReplyDelete