My thoughts on Fuerguson and Beyond
I like many people have been following the case of Micheal Brown, the young man that was shot by Officer Darren Wilson. During the late hours of November 24, 2014 the Missouri grand jury decided not to indite Officer Wilson on several counts including murder down to manslaughter. The evidence that the jury investigated found no cause to put Wilson on trial, as it would appear he acted in self defense. Though my emotions ran high, I at first abstained from commenting on social media about the events for many reasons. However, as the media now is trying to make comparisons to the tragic shooting of a 12-year old boy in Cleveland has made me feel like I need to say my peace; and where else but my blog.
lts start with Ferguson. Here is what we know, either from surveillance photos, statements, and forensic evidence (given I am taking some license to create a cohesive narrative). Mr. Brown and a friend walked into a convenience store where he stole a pack of Swisher Sweet cigars (yes they are cheap, but theft is theft). He and his friend then were walking in the middle of the street at which point Wilson came up and asked them to move to the sidewalk. Then, depending on sources either Wilson or Brown instigated a struggle in or around the police car, in which shots were fired. Ballistic residue on Brown's hand would lean towards he went for the officer's gun at which point it was discharged. After this Brown ran from the officer, only to advance on him (yes, ALL autopsy reports show he was advancing on the officer) at which point he was fatally shot.
When the decision was made on Officer Wilson's fate, I knew the outcome would not be good. While I saw the faces of people angry and upset over the verdict, there were those that chose to react civilly and in the ways that our forefathers wanted us to act. Peaceful protest, shouting slogans and holding up signs. That's what they would have wanted. Letting your voice be heard both literally and through the ballot box (you can always try to get people out of office during elections). Then there were the fools that wanted to express their anger through violence. Assaults, looting, and vandalism. In one of the rare occasions I will paraphrase Al Sharpton, "You burnt down a business. Congratulations, you proved noting other than destroying a structure. Find a better way."
Now we have a young black kid, only 12-years old, that was shot by police officers in a park. He had an airsoft gun with the tip cut off (the tips of airsoft guns are orange, an easy identifier that they are fake). These guns are very realistic at first glance, and these officers acted in to a perceived threat once he raised his weapon. Should this kid have lost his life, absolutely not. But when do we quit putting the blame on law enforcement and start with education?
In both these cases we had law enforcement officers reacting to what they perceived as immediate threats. They are trained to use whatever force necessary to protect society at large. Brandish a what may or may not be a real firearm and point it at a cop? They are within their power to shoot you, as you present a possible danger to society. Talk back or act aggressive to a cop, and yes you may go to jail. I have had a few interactions with officers of the law in my day, and I have always acted respectful, even if I knew I was in the right. It is a lot better to plead you case in front of a judge than to an officer that is not in the mood for your attitude. Probably the most important part of this is these men and women put their lives on the line very day to ensure we are safe, never knowing if the next call the get will be their last or they will pull over some crazy person that will blow them away for a speeding ticket. As a friend of members of law enforcement, I respect them.
And I know that there are a lot of people angry over the grand jury decision. But I think that this young man puts it perfectly https://www.facebook.com/AngieMJ82/posts/10152594726678406?notif_t=close_friend_activity. Maybe it is time fore us to move forward as a nations. As a culture. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. The best we can do is try, Let's build a better nation for out children. We are 150 years from the Civil War, and 50 or so years from MLK; we deserve better than this.
lts start with Ferguson. Here is what we know, either from surveillance photos, statements, and forensic evidence (given I am taking some license to create a cohesive narrative). Mr. Brown and a friend walked into a convenience store where he stole a pack of Swisher Sweet cigars (yes they are cheap, but theft is theft). He and his friend then were walking in the middle of the street at which point Wilson came up and asked them to move to the sidewalk. Then, depending on sources either Wilson or Brown instigated a struggle in or around the police car, in which shots were fired. Ballistic residue on Brown's hand would lean towards he went for the officer's gun at which point it was discharged. After this Brown ran from the officer, only to advance on him (yes, ALL autopsy reports show he was advancing on the officer) at which point he was fatally shot.
When the decision was made on Officer Wilson's fate, I knew the outcome would not be good. While I saw the faces of people angry and upset over the verdict, there were those that chose to react civilly and in the ways that our forefathers wanted us to act. Peaceful protest, shouting slogans and holding up signs. That's what they would have wanted. Letting your voice be heard both literally and through the ballot box (you can always try to get people out of office during elections). Then there were the fools that wanted to express their anger through violence. Assaults, looting, and vandalism. In one of the rare occasions I will paraphrase Al Sharpton, "You burnt down a business. Congratulations, you proved noting other than destroying a structure. Find a better way."
Now we have a young black kid, only 12-years old, that was shot by police officers in a park. He had an airsoft gun with the tip cut off (the tips of airsoft guns are orange, an easy identifier that they are fake). These guns are very realistic at first glance, and these officers acted in to a perceived threat once he raised his weapon. Should this kid have lost his life, absolutely not. But when do we quit putting the blame on law enforcement and start with education?
In both these cases we had law enforcement officers reacting to what they perceived as immediate threats. They are trained to use whatever force necessary to protect society at large. Brandish a what may or may not be a real firearm and point it at a cop? They are within their power to shoot you, as you present a possible danger to society. Talk back or act aggressive to a cop, and yes you may go to jail. I have had a few interactions with officers of the law in my day, and I have always acted respectful, even if I knew I was in the right. It is a lot better to plead you case in front of a judge than to an officer that is not in the mood for your attitude. Probably the most important part of this is these men and women put their lives on the line very day to ensure we are safe, never knowing if the next call the get will be their last or they will pull over some crazy person that will blow them away for a speeding ticket. As a friend of members of law enforcement, I respect them.
And I know that there are a lot of people angry over the grand jury decision. But I think that this young man puts it perfectly https://www.facebook.com/AngieMJ82/posts/10152594726678406?notif_t=close_friend_activity. Maybe it is time fore us to move forward as a nations. As a culture. Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong. The best we can do is try, Let's build a better nation for out children. We are 150 years from the Civil War, and 50 or so years from MLK; we deserve better than this.