           On the evening of August 9, 2014 Michael Brown, a colored 18 year old, was fatally shot by Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson. The questionable nature of the killing immediately sparked protest throughout the predominately black Missouri city, challenging police brutality toward african american citizens. The media flocked to the riots, covering the story in almost everyday possible, however most appeared bias to some extent. Rolling stone Journalist Tim Dickinson reveals the truth behind the protests in his short photo essay, Ferguson, Uncensored. The piece features photos from Scott Olsen who used visual elements and various symbols to expose the true emotions and motives on the front lines. The fifteen photo compilation subtitled “images the police don't want you to see” certainly does not disappoint.

 Image one of the gallery depicts a small church from within the isles. Viewers attention is immediately directed toward an older, colored man seated in the crowd. The gentleman gazes past the camera t with a rather somber expression. His cheeks and forehead feature deep wrinkles further amplifying the emotion. What can be seen of the audience appears left out of focus, directing all attention to the gentleman. This man was not chosen at random to be featured, his expression exemplifies African Americans exhaustion with mistreatment. The race as a whole has been drafted into a fight for equal treatment spanning back generations. Even in 2016 colored children are forced to look at their nations history and learn they were once regarded as inferior. Let us not forget the great injustice our nation committed against black citizens. Racism has taxed a percentage of Americans for far too long, backing them into a conner. This is shown in the man’s expression which does not evoke any urge to fight, but rather a desperation for peace, reminding the world of Ferguson protesters true intention, equal treatment..

Olsen’s fourteenth image shows a young colored man standing in the street with a white gas mask strapped firmly to his face; an unfortunately common sighting throughout the protests.  Police chose to use tear gas often, prompting demonstrators to wear masks as a precautionary measure. The fact that citizens felt the need to seek protection while simply arguing their own rights symbolizes the fear carried by many colored citizens everyday.  It is no secrete that certain police officers will act harsher toward colored individuals, purely out of prejudice. Citizens of a country which claims to promote freedom and democracy should not have to live daily life in constant fear of mistreatment based purely color. They should feel comfortable taking the mask off, to live without a constant fear of those assigned to protect them. Unfortunately, with current law enforcement standards that is not the case.

Symbolism aside the use of a gas masks throughout the protests was certainly not unwarranted. Police and other special forces utilized tear gas in an attempt to control the violence and disperse large crowds. Many demonstrators however were not lucky enough to have protective gear, and suffered accordingly. Image number twelve of the gallery presents viewers with just one of these victims. A woman, effected by the gas, rests on her knees while another colored citizen can be seen pouring water into her eyes in an attempt to help. In most forms of literature water holds symbolic value as a cleanser of the soul. After all, without water there is no life. This image gives the liquid a cleansing value both literally and fugitively. The victim of the gas clearly appears to be in some pain, the water acting as her only form of relief. While certainly open for interpretation, the image appears to represent the necessity of cleansing our selves and our nation as a hole. News outlets everywhere questioned the methods utilized by protesters. Images of mass looting and armed robberies flashed across American televisions, depicting those simply standing up for their rights as malicious animals. Yes, some may have taken it too far, but while blatant acts of violence are certainly hard to justify perhaps law enforcement received a very small taste of their own medicine. Mistakes have been on all accounts, but if America wants to improve the nation as a whole must work toward an end of racial injustices. Simply ignoring the topic or arresting protesters only puts a bandaid over the issue of prejudice America has faced for years. The people and their protectors must collectively seek improvement, or those simply born a different color may never find relief. 
