Daily Times

“What we need in the US is not division. What we need in the US is not hatred. What we need in the US 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 are seeing in Ferguson these days is not exactly what the above quote states. To look at the matter from a broader perspective, this is not the reality from what has been seen for a while in the US 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 is all too reminiscent of what has 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 who 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 likely to get shot by the police force than their white counterparts. Let us seriously think about that for a moment.
One factor that 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 vicinity. 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 that 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 US 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 US people have in their police force, a trust that has always been very profound in the fabric of US society. It is not uncommon for US citizens to mistrust politicians but their sentiments towards the police force have generally been one of complete faith. Until Ferguson.
The excruciating pain that has resulted from the deaths of these innocent children is one that not only affects their families and loved ones. It is a pain that resonates through all of US society at the moment. Is this what we have become? Violence has always been a well-integrated factor in US 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 the law enforcement agencies? If the very entities that supposedly exist to provide security turn 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 is 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 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 US is equipped with weapons that are more suited to a full blown army. This is also an interesting factor that has had light shed on it since the killing of Michael Brown. It is almost as though the law enforcement entities are ready to kill even before being given a reason to use their best judgment, 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.

The writer is an English and French professor and columnist residing in the US and France. She can be reached at scballand@gmail.com