Police Brutality In Ferguson

Understanding the Ferguson, Missouri events can be very complex and difficult. There are many layers and overlapping events that mesh together to make up the Ferguson issue. This is also an issue that did not start nor end in Ferguson, MO but continues to be relevant in our lives today. This issue of police brutality is evident all around America, even in my hometown of Burlington, Vermont. This issue of police brutality has been a huge cause for riots, protests and political conversations within the past several years, especially through the help of social media. Throughout this paper, I will reflect on the events that occurred in the small city of Ferguson, MO and I will integrate them into my work as a future social-worker. Prior to mid-August …show more content…
The night day, a few hundred protesters stood outside the Ferguson Police headquarters, which was the first protest of many in the city. Many held signs and were chanting “Don’t shoot me” while holding their hands above their heads. Later that night, a candlelight vigil was being held in his name. Soon after the vigil, people turned to violence to express their emotions regarding this event. Many witnesses reported seeing people vandalize police cars and kick in windows of shops. In certain areas of the city, officers had blockades to prevent people from entering, and tear gas was reportedly being used by the police in other areas. This is what is known as the Ferguson Unrest. There has been three major waves of these riots and protests, which are triggered by certain events that have happened regarding this case. The first wave was immediately after Brown’s death, the second wave was when Wilson was not indicted for the death of Brown, and the last wave was the one yea anniversary of the …show more content…
After hearing the initial headlines, which read, “White police officer kills unarmed black man in Ferguson, MO”, it is hard to not think that the police was entirely in the wrong. The media often words headlines in such a way to grab attention and to stimulate emotions. As an eighteen year old right out of high school, I heard the headline and already formed an opinion on the situation. I thought that Wilson was entirely in the wrong and the black man was completely innocent because he was unarmed. I did not have all of the facts, but I had assumed I knew the gist of the situation. As for people I was close to, they did not really talk much about it. I do not remember my friends or parents discussing the events that occurred. Perhaps they were just apathetic to the situation, or were confused on the events of the situation. Also, during this time, I was not attending school, so I did not have an outlet to discuss it in a history or current events class. I was not well exposed to the situation and that’s why only now am I hearing both stories of the