Sabria Chowdhury Balland :
“What we need in the United States is not division. What we need in the United States is not hatred. What we need in the United States is not violence and lawlessness, but is love and wisdom and compassion toward one another and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country, whether they be white or whether they be black.”
—Robert F. Kennedy
What we’re seeing in Ferguson these days is not exactly what the above quote states. To look at the matter from a broader prespective, this is not the reality from what has been seen for a while in the United States with regards to the untimely and utterly senseless killings of children, particularly of African American descent. Sad but true.
What we are seeing in the Michael Brown case are all too reminiscent of what had been seen in the case of Trayvon Martin. Conflicting eyewitness accounts of what may have transpired, hazy accounts of the circumstances, lack of evidence as to who attacked whom first…all factors leading to the lack of comprehension as to why these children have been killed. Statistically, African American males are four times as likeky to get shot by the police force than their white counterparts. Let’s seriously think about that for a moment.
One factor which immediately springs to mind is this: is there a presumption of guilt involved, coupled with deep-rooted notions of racial profiling where particularly males of the African American community are involved? To deny this vehemently would be naive.
The “facts” leading to the death of Michael Brown show that he was involved in an unarmed robbery and that police officer Darren Wilson was in the viscinity. However, interestingly enough, the police were not notified of the robbery. What Officer Wilson allegedly saw were two black teens jaywalking and for some inexplicable reason, under circumstances unknown (ones which may forever remain so) began shooting at the teens, killing one of them. Contrary to his version of what transpired, the autopsy report found no indications that there was a struggle and that Wilson was not obliged to shoot Brown on the grounds of self-defence.
So, is society expected to accept that Michael Brown was executed for jaywalking? Is that what the United States stands for in 2014, ironically with an African American family inhabiting the White House?
One of the most disturbing aspects of this case is the fact that it has reversed completely the trust the American people have in their police force, a trust which has always been very profound in the fabric of American society. It is not uncommon for Americans to mistrust politicians but their sentiments towards the police force has generally been one of complete faith. Until Ferguson.
The excrutiating pain which has resulted from the deaths of these innocent children is one which not only affects their families and loved ones. It is a pain which resonates through all of Anerican society at the moment. Is this who we have become? Violence has always been a well integrated factor in American society. But what can possibly be said when that violence is directed towards children of other specified racial groups, the cherry on the cake being that the senseless violence is committed by members of law enforcement? If the very entities which are supposedly existent to provide security turns against it, what can possibly be left to hope for? Whatever happened to “protect and serve”?
Whether the true and actual facts leading to Michael Brown’s death will ever be known are unclear and perhaps doubtful. What is clear however is that Ferguson is the result of society saying “enough is enough”. No more Trayvon Martins. No more Michael Browns. No more any of the children who have so sadly and unnecessarily been robbed of a chance to live full lives.
There is no clear reason as to why the police force in the United States is equipped with weapons which are more suited to a full blown army. This is also an interesting factor which has had light shed on it since the killing of Michael Brown. It is almost as though thlaw enforcement entities are ready to kill even before being given a reason to use their best judgement, which was certainly not the case here.
Officer Darren Wilson is getting an opportunity to tell his side of the story. Michael Brown is not so lucky. He deserved to get that chance as did all those who have shared his fate. Enough is enough. Rightfully so.
(Sabria Chowdhury Balland is a contributor to The New Nation)
