Fifteen days ago Mike Brown was murdered. He was murdered for nothing more than walking down the street. Fifteen days ago the city of Ferguson erupted vowing to not stand for this injustice, or injustices like it anymore. Many organizers, community leaders and protestors on the ground in Ferguson, showed the world what was going on in real-time. Yet, many major news outlets didn’t cover the story. That is until Twitter became saturated with images and videos of police arresting and gassing peaceful protestors. Within a few days, due to the hard work of many on Twitter who actively worked to keep this horrible crime at the forefront, the world heard Ferguson’s cry. A police force equipped with military style weapons and vehicles, has brutalized the Ferguson community longer than many of us have been aware. The people of Ferguson have not given up or backed down. Instead, they have stood their ground and have forced a country to look within. Something it should have done long ago.
It has been fifteen days and we now know the name of the officer who murdered Mike Brown. Darren Wilson was the officer who stood over the body of that young man. Darren Wilson shot Mike Brown six times. One of those shots in the top of his skull. Darren Wilson claims he was in fear of his life and that is why he killed Mike Brown. According to multiple eye witnesses, Mike had his hands up. His last words, “I don’t have a gun. Stop shooting.” Darren Wilson executed Mike Brown. Darren Wilson is free while Mike Brown’s mother prepares to bury her son. If you are wondering why I’ve used Darren Wilson’s name so much, it’s because people need to know it. His name should be engrained in the minds of all who want justice served.
A Grand Jury has convened to decide whether or not Darren Wilson should be indicted. There are only three black jurors out of the twelve. There are only nine votes needed to indict Darren Wilson and there is a very real possibility he won’t be. Even if he is indicted, there are multiple hurdles to jump through to get him convicted. With an autopsy that seemingly proves Mike Brown’s hands were up, multiple eye witnesses and all the photos to counter the lies being told, Darren could still be found innocent. The badge he wears that is supposed to be a symbol for protection of the people, is protecting him. That badge may very well lead him to an acquittal, if he’s even indicted. Along with the Grand Jury convening, Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General, and some of the the Civil Rights Division’s most experienced prosecuting attorneys were deployed to Ferguson. The Department of Justice launched an independent investigation into the death of Mike Brown and the Attorney General assured residents that they would be fair and thorough. What’s important to note is the death of Mike Brown is not just a Ferguson issue. This is an American issue.
We have continually seen through history how much the lives of black people don’t matter. How old slave codes, that have long been outlawed, still find their way into the laws of today and affect how we’re treated. People have also continually tried to downplay the racism that continues to plague this country. One celebrity in particular, who was subsequently ripped on Twitter, stated that she felt bad for people who think they’re doomed. That, that thinking is why we are failing. Love is all we need and we’re all human and blah, blah, blah. I wish people would stop spewing that, “we’re all one human race” crap. That’s never been the case and it never will be. Also, this whole notion that, “if these blacks would pull up their pants and dress better, they’d be respected” is bullshit. Dr. King marched in a suit and tie, didn’t stop him from being assassinated. Four little girls, in their prettiest dresses, walked into a church. That didn’t stop racists from bombing it. Medgar Evers, Rosa Parks, the Little Rock Nine, Representative John Lewis and countless others marched in dresses, suits and ties. It didn’t stop them from being harassed, hosed, arrested, beaten or killed. Please, miss me with your respectability politics bullshit. We are continually told to be peaceful when we’re wronged. Black people are fed up.
Monday, August 25, 2014, the day Mike Brown was supposed to start college, he will be laid to rest. Mike Brown did not deserve to die. Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, another young man who was murdered, wrote a beautiful letter to the Brown family. She stated what so many of us are feeling in the black community, “If they refuse to hear us, we will make them feel us.” My heart goes out to the Brown family and to all those who have been killed at the hands of racist police and racists in general. Keep fighting the good fight Ferguson. The world is watching.
steelmagnolia88 