The events that occurred following the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri on August 9, 2014 was the start of a very powerful social movement to end racial inequality. The community reacted immediately, as they were fed up with the inequality coming from the justice system. Riots, violent outbreaks and looting took over the community as tensions between the police and the citizens continued to rise.  The fact of the matter was that a white police officer shot a killed an unarmed African American teenager and that enraged the predominantly African American city (Drehl 3). Most African Americans no longer put their trust in the people that were supposed to be the ones keeping them safe. According to Harrell, racial inequality can be broadly defined as the racially equitable system of dominance, power rooted in historical oppression of subordinated groups that the dominant group views as inferior, deviant, or undesirable. The dominant group creates and maintains structures and ideology that preserve their power and privilege while excluding subjugated groups from power, status, and access to resources (qted by Glossary 1). The pictures in the Ferguson, Uncensored, By Time Dickinson, article illustrate these very tensions happening in today’s society and the raw emotions of people experiencing it first-hand. 

Ever since the creation of the United States of America racial inequality and racism has been a cause to tension and divide between the people. 

Long before the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri the country was on thin ice surrounding racial inequality. Seeing the raw emotions of the people through the article Ferguson, Uncensored showed the direct impact on their life this is causing. In the image “No Tears” shows a young child using her blanket to cover her face from the tear gas police used to fire at the protestors (Dickinson 1). This image shows that no matter the age, everyone in the community of Ferguson was impacted. 

Many movements have ignited over the past few years in response to the racial inequalities. The most popular is Black Lives Matter. This movement has been recognized by celebrities, politicians, and people all over the country that are looking for a change in how African Americans are treated in the justice system. There have been countless deaths of innocent black men and woman, just because of their race. It does not end at Ferguson. Other people that have been victims of bigotry in the police community include Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner and Walter Scott. This is not mentioning the countless other that have been victims but have not made headlines.  Between the years 2006 to 2014 a white police officer killed a black person at least twice a week in the United States (Lucas 8). This statistic is one that caused a separation between African Americans and police officers.

Throughout the protests and riots in Ferguson the words “Hands up don’t shut” became their way of expressing innocence. Protestors would raise both there hands above their head as a peaceful protest. 

The hate that has been presented towards African Americans by the people they are supposed to trust has created tremendous divide in communities all over America. Ferguson Missouri is the most popular example of how bad the tension really is. The people of Ferguson no longer trust the police. 

The hate and inequalities towards African Americans does not stop at the justice system, but it is evident in the workplace, as wells as many stores and restaurants.  

This past election one thing that had been brought up multiple times is President-Elect, Donald Trump, views of minorities. In order to be a progressive country and make it “great again” we need a president who will put an end to the inequalities that are splitting our nation. However, on multiple occasions his words have proved that he may be a part of the problem, not the solution. After the results came out there has been an increase in hate crimes spreading across America. Having people in power, for example police officers, that have a racist mindset can cause others to think it is okay to act a certain way.  At a high school in Minnesota student graffiti in the bathroom things like “Go back to Africa” and “Make America Great Again”. It did not stop there, the bathroom door was also covered with graffiti stating “Whites only,’ “White America” and “Trump” (Squeqila). 

Racial Injustice and racism is an issue in today’s society and that had been is illuminated throughout the current election and the justice system. Once the racism ends at the higher up positions it will give the rest of society the opportunity to follow in that lead. 

If one is not a part of the solution they are a part of the problem. Together the nation can come together and put an end to racial inequalities and racism. The people of Ferguson were fighting for social justice and what they know is right.
