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 and killed an unarmed African American teenager, which enraged the predominantly African American city (Drehl 3). All across America most African Americans no longer put their trust in the people that are 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 86). The pictures in the Ferguson, Uncensored, by Tim Dickinson, article illustrate these very tensions happening in today’s society, like the lack of trust in the government, and the raw emotions of people experiencing it first-hand. While these images only depict the present situation in America there is still a past riddled with inequality and a future that is headed down the same path. 

From the beginning, the United States of America has had racial inequality and racism become a cause of tension and divide between the people. This issue has been reoccurring over the years in different forms and always stays as a prominent matter but no real change has provided a long-lasting solution. One prime example of the government being responsible for a divide between the people is the Separate but Equal Act. This act justified the separation of African Americans and whites in places such as schools, restaurants, transportation and housing (McFarlin 244). Although the 14th amendment guaranteed equal protection to all citizens, a separate legal doctrine was created making it legal to have racial segregation on the terms that the separate facilities were equal (McFarlin). The facilities provided to the African Americans were rarely equal to those given to the whites. This resulted in tremendous inequality when it came to; education, health care, housing, employment and transportation (Zonderman 3). This eventually led to frustration towards the government. African Americans were left with less than nothing in most cases while whites enjoyed the luxuries that, to them, seemed like basic needs. The history of America is full of unfairness against minorities that has impacted the future of America. Throughout the history of the United States, tensions have been produced, leading back to the government’s involvement.

Long before the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, the country was on thin ice regarding racial inequality. This infuriated people and made it easier for them to react quickly and violently. The predominantly African American community was essentially a powder keg waiting to explode and Darren Wilson, the police officer who shot Michael Brown, was the spark that ignited it (Altman 25). The raw emotions of the people throughout the article, ‘Ferguson, Uncensored’ showed how drastically it impacted their lives. The article referenced a number of children, which further plays with people’s emotions. To see the children impacted by the tragedies can help people grasp the effects of this devastation.  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, each individual apart of the community of Ferguson was impacted. Another image called “Turned Away,” displays a mother holding her child, walking in the opposite direction from the police after they were turned away (Dickinson). Written on the mother’s chest are the letters, FTP, which stands for “Fuck the Police,” this statement is evident many times throughout the article to show the anger of the people from Ferguson. The young girl also has writing going down her arm that states, “No Justice” (Dickinson). This photograph shows how distraught the mother and daughter are and the sadness they share with and for their community, dealing with this tragic time. All they want is “justice” for Mike Brown and for each and every person that is affected by the justice system.

Many movements have ignited over the past few years in response to the racial imbalances. The most popular is Black Lives Matter and this movement has been recognized by celebrities, politicians, and people all over the country that are looking for a change in how African Americans, and minorities, are treated in the justice system (Altman 22). The Black Lives Matter movement began in March 2012, after George Zimmerman, killed a 17-year-old, African American boy, Trayvon Martin. The activist movement was created because Zimmerman wasn’t arrested and didn’t face any charges for the crime. A group of college students therefore knew they had to do something to prevent this injustice from happening again, thus Black Lives Matter came about (McClain 2). There have been countless deaths of innocent black men and women, due to their race, and this movement wanted to put an end to this. Many people with a minority background have been victims of the bigotry in the police community. Some other names include; Sandra Bland, Eric Garner and Walter Scott, not to mention the countless others that have been victims but have not made headlines (McClain).  Between the years of 2006 to 2014, a white police officer has killed two black people a week in the United States (Jackson 8). This statistic proves that the incident that occurred in Ferguson is not an isolated incident yet a bigger issue. The deaths of African Americans by police officers adds fuel to the already burning fire.

Throughout the protests and riots in Ferguson, the phrase “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot,” became their way of expressing innocence and a way to protest in peace. This was a movement that came directly out from the events of Ferguson. It is sad to think that we are living in a world where people have to constantly prove their innocence while preforming everyday acts like walking down the street in their own neighborhood. Protestors would raise both their hands above their head in peaceful protest, this was also used as a way to remember Michael Brown. Celebrities, politicians, and citizens all across America have shown their support of the ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” movement (Jackson 5). The current president, Barack Obama, has made countless press releases showing his support to the people of Ferguson. While talking about the Black Lives Matter movement Obama stated, “Nobody wants to see police officers, when they’re doing their job unfairly” (qtd in Rhodan). He has used the Black Lives Matter movement as a platform to speak about the racial aspects in criminal justice plaguing the country. He even reflected on his own personal encounters with the police from when he was younger. Obama recounted the time he was pulled over by a police officer and not given a reason as to why he was pulled over (Rhodan 1). While this might not seem like much to one person, to minorities this act of racism is something they deal with daily. It is simple injustices like this that have caused so much controversy to occur about how minorities are tested within the justice system. Steps should be taken to make amends and also show that all people are equal and should be treated with the same fairness.

In the article, ‘Ferguson, Uncensored,’ an image titled “Hands Up, Don’t shoot,” illustrates an African American male standing alone in front of a group of policemen, all with their guns pointed directly at him (Dickinson 1).  This is a perfect demonstration of the racial unfairness that is prevalent among police forces and the minorities. The man is clearly standing there with his hands up, showing he does not have a weapon and that he is not looking to harm anyone. However, due to his race, the police officers feel threatened and it provokes them to raise their weapons. Once again the phrase “Fuck The Police” is apparent in the image and also shows the substantial steps backwards this community is taking with their relationship with the police department. This phrase originates from the song “Fuck Tha Police,” by N.W.A. This song was released in 1988, and proves that this problem has been around for many years. It highlights the strain between the black community and police and it also protests police brutality (Edgar 224).  The constant fear that these people carry with them in their day to day lives needs to come to an end. No person should be questioned continuously in their own town when no real threat is present. Their lives need to return to order and they need to feel comfortable in their town without the constant worry being held over their heads.

The hate that has been presented towards African Americans by the people who they put their trust into, has created a tremendous divide in communities all over America. Ferguson, Missouri, is the most popular example of how bad the tension has become surrounding this issue. The people of that town are fearful and no longer trust policemen to protect and provide safety for themselves and their families. This has created something that Heather MacDonald has dubbed the “Ferguson effect”. This is when “police officers back off proactive policing, causing an increase in violent crime across America” (MacDonald).  The damaging aftermath from Michael Brown’s death resulted in policemen not doing their jobs to the fullest. They were so afraid of the negative attention officer Wilson obtained from the incident, that it kept them from fulfilling their duties to the best of their abilities. After two decades of violence decreasing, it started to increase again after 2014, not-so-coincidently after the events that had occurred in Ferguson. “Arrests in St. Louis City and County, for example, fell by a third after the shooting of Michael Brown” (MacDonald). This was mostly because police officers did not want to have their career to be in jeopardy or be negatively portrayed in the headlines. Which is the result when a shooting, much like Michaela Brown’s, occurs.

  During this past election, one thing that has provoked controversy multiple times is President-Elect, Donald Trump’s views on minorities. He has stated his opinion throughout his campaign and caused many people to question his motives. 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. Many people have described his comments as indefensible. Republican house speaker, Paul Ryan states, “Claiming a person can’t do their job because of their race is sort of like the textbook definition of a racist comment” (Reilly 89).  This is one of many examples of the racist remarks Donald Trump made in the public eye. After the results of the election came out there was an increase in hate crimes spreading across America. To have people in power, for example, police officers that have a racist mindset can cause others to think it is reasonable to act a certain way.  At a high school in Minnesota, a student sprayed graffiti in the bathroom with the phrases, “Go back to Africa” and “Make America Great Again”. The bathroom door was also covered with graffiti stating, “Whites only,” “White America” and “Trump” (Stienmetz 22).  Impressionable teenagers see this negative behavior from the role models they look up to and rationalize their own poor actions. This can evolve into a bigger issue because the more of this bad behavior they are exposed to and witness, can make it justifiable in the future.

Racial injustice is an issue in today’s society and has been illuminated throughout the current election and the justice system. Once racism ends at higher levels, it will give the rest of society the opportunity to follow in their footsteps. Since this country was built with such a profound issue present, it is going to be long journey to put an end to it. These people are more than willing to conquer this challenge to be liberated and accepted as equals. The Ferguson Uncensored article is a perfect illustration of how a community as a whole can be affected by one unjust act. The people of this town have been through an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering, which led them to be afraid to walk the streets of their own home. People from all over were able to get a glimpse of Ferguson’s cry for help and agree that now more than ever is the time for change. The people of Ferguson were fighting for social justice and their fight is a representation of the freedom they have been longing for.  If one is not a part of the solution they are a part of the problem, together our nation can come together and put an end to racial inequalities. This issue is not on the path to change due to the 2016 election results. This country needs a leader to initiate the change to carry it out throughout the rest of this nation’s future. Racism has been an issue plaguing our country since the beginning and continues to do so, unless our country comes together as one and finally puts an end to this injustice.
