https://newsela.com/articles/ferguson-agency/id/5625/
Summary:
In Ferguson, Missouri Michael Brown an unarmed 18-year old was shot by a Ferguson police officer in August. This set off nightly protests by members of the black community, who argue that he wouldn’t have been killed if he were white. After Michael was killed Peacemakers, were the first federal officials to arrive in Ferguson. They were with a unit called the Community Relations Service to help both sides come to an agreement. The Justice Department started an investigation about a month later because of the nightly protests and violence the department began looking into the use of police force in ferguson and began analyzing police methods. The peace makers have held dozens of meetings with police, residents, and community leaders.
Its goal, said Director Grande H. Lum, is to give all sides a private place to talk, so hopefully, they will solve their own problems.
“Those are the longest-lasting solutions — when the people themselves resolve their own disputes,” Lum said. His unit, he said, allows “people to speak.”
Analysis:
I do not agree with steps that the peacemakers are taking in ferguson, Michael brown was killed in August and the most that they have done is hold meetings. The police are supposed to protect citizens not kill unarmed people. I think that the Ferguson police force needs to be closely evaluated and trained so that events like the shooting don’t happen again. I also disagree with Director Grande H. Lum when he says that people need to solve their own disputes, because when someone dies from being shot at by a police officer, its the Justice department’s job to fix the situation. On the other hand I do agree with Director Grande H. Lum when he says that what he is doing allows people to speak because it does give them a voice and a way for citizens to speak out against what the police is doing.
Discussion questions:
1.Do you agree with what the Peace makers are doing about the situation?
2. What do you think the outcome of this situation will be?
3. Do you think that if Michael Brown was white he would still be alive?
The police officers probably would have killed him if he was white. They are wrong to shoot an unarmed person in the first place. Whether black or white it doesn't matter because race should not affect a police officers choice to shoot. People shouldn't be protesting about the fact that he was killed because he was black. His race has nothing to do with the face he was shot.
ReplyDeleteYes I do believe that if Michael Brown happened to be white that he would be alive. I think that this was cleary an act of racism just because he was black. It is sad to say but I believe it is true there are still people in the world today who feel that one race can be more threatening than another
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is sad to say, I do believe that there would have been a lower chance of Michael getting shot if he was white. In many instances, police and even every day people stereotype blacks as being criminals. Therefor the police probably thought he was some criminal due to his race. If he was white there might have been a lower chance of him getting shot which is sad but probably very true.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if Michael Brown had been white, the police wouldn't have shot him. I think that he was shot just because of his race, and it was an act against him. They were wrong to shoot him because of his race, and that being that he was unarmed also. The race of a person should not determine if they should be shot or not.
ReplyDeleteI believe the police officers would still have killed him even if he was white. Police officers today know the power they hold and wouldn't be given a gun if they didn't think before acting. I agree that the Peacekeepers are taking the right actions to try to resolve the situation by holding dozens of meetings.
ReplyDeleteI think that if Michael Brown was white, he still would have been shot, but why? Now a days most people get scared when a police officer drives by, when we should be thankful. The police definitely should re evaluate options to do o people, definitely not kill them. This was wrong and I hope the police officers will think right next time.
ReplyDeleteA police officer has the right to shoot someone if he or she believes that the suspect is a threat to either them or someone else. This could have been an act of racism or a mistake. Think about, would a white officer really shoot a black suspect knowing of the results of his actions.
ReplyDeleteI think the peace makers are right by holding meetings, but I think they should've taken more extreme measures by now if this happened in August. They need to start doing things more serious than just talking about it, they need to take action. I think they have a right to be mad, though. Michael was shot for no reason and it's upsetting that he's suspicious just because he's black. He was just a normal kid minding his own business.
ReplyDeleteI believe that if Michael Brown was white, there would be a significantly lower chance he would have been shot. Some police officers have a history trying to apprehend african american criminals, and this police officer probably thought that Brown was a criminal, which is a horrible assumption to make. He didn't even check to see if Brown was armed,which is unthinkable that he could shoot him without any violence from Brown
ReplyDeleteI do agree with the fact that if he was white, it would be less likely for him to be shot. But coming from the police officers point of view, the officer most likely didn't know if he was armed or not at the time and didn't have much time to react.
ReplyDelete