The murder of yet another unarmed black teenager by the police has America contemplating second thoughts about the ones who supposedly “protect and serve.” Michael Brown was an innocent teenager doing nothing to provoke the police to shoot him. This tragedy happened not too long after the similar death of Trayvon Martin, and only protesters are taking action against the attack. The conflict with Michael Brown and the protesters in his favor has become irrefutable evidence that police brutality and racial discrimination has only gotten out of hand.
Michael Brown, an 18-year-old resident of Ferguson, Mo., was shot at least six times by officer Darren Wilson on Aug. 9, 2014. The police argue that Brown was shot during a fight for the officer’s gun and was only shot in self-defense, but all witnesses and the autopsy results disagree. There was no gunpowder residue on Brown’s skin, which indicates that he was not holding the gun or shot from up close, but rather from a distance away. This should disprove the claim that there was a fight for the gun. Furthermore, the autopsy shows that the inside of his arm was shot, meaning that Brown’s hands were in the air when the bullets went flying. Some may also argue that Brown and his friend, Dorian Johnson, robbed a convenience store just before the incident occurred, and that is why Wilson made the decision to shoot him. There was no robbery. The convenience store security camera footage shows that Brown and Johnson paid for the cigarillos. Regardless of this information, the Ferguson Police Department admitted that Darren Wilson did not know what happened at the convenience store when he shot Michael Brown. The death of Brown is obviously a case of racial discrimination.
“I think it is terrible that Brown was subjected to a brutal six shots; police officers should not have the right to do whatever they please,” said junior Danny Salvay. “They should be responsible for their own actions. The increasingly corrupt actions of the police have proven racism is still alive and well in the United States, despite most people’s arguments.”
With this occurring shortly after the Trayvon Martin ordeal, American citizens have had enough of the racial prejudice. In the days following Brown’s death, thousands of peaceful protests began. People with signs started to roam the streets of Ferguson and neighboring Missouri communities, reaching all the way to St. Louis. The police began to use tear gas to disperse the protesters, which was completely unnecessary and inflicted pain to the protesters. As the tear gas flooded the streets, people frantically began getting milk and dousing each other’s eyes. Officers also threw smoke bombs and any other items that they could use to hurt protesters. Some even report to being sprayed in their own backyards. As if smoke bombs were not already enough, police decided to shoot rubber bullets, even at those who were not protesting. Many people passing by attempting to get home were injured; a few even claim to being subject to racial slurs by the police. Although things are starting to calm down in Ferguson, none of this should have ever happened.
“I think that the actions of the Ferguson police department are completely unjust,” said junior Jessica Abgaryan. “I believe in equality for all, despite race.”
The national police force is the main source of law enforcement, and it is supposed to protect, teach right from wrong, and keep its citizens safe. Instead of preventing crime, police officers everywhere seem to be starting it. Since when does maintaining public order mean hurting the public itself? Police have taken racial discrimination too far, and this has gotten to a point where American citizens cannot stomach it anymore. In what world has murdering teenagers out in the open gone without consequence? The children of this country have always been advised to go to the police when help is needed, and to always listen to their instructions. What happens when one holds up their hands, and policemen shoot anyway? How may more innocent people have to die before it ends? When the police treat someone unjustly, he only has his word against the entire police force, and there is nothing that can be done about it. No one deserves to live in fear. Something is wrong if a policeman arouses feelings of apprehension instead of security. America has come a long way, and citizens will not stand by and let these instances of racial discrimination occur.
