Student Reactions to Ferguson

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MADISON ETHAN:

What are your thoughts on the conflict in Ferguson?

I think that there is so much going on and it is a little hard to unpack at times. First, there is the tragedy of Mike Brown’s death and how people are responding to that. Second, there is the way the police are handling the investigation which seems unsatisfactory to me. Finally, there’s the way it all connects to the greater police state in the US. My thoughts are that we need to attack the police state, but we need to remember Mike Brown as an individual.

What do you know about the recent events taking place there?

I know that depending on which source you get your media from it will change what you “know.” I know that a white police officer shot an unarmed black teen that was only jaywalking. I know that has led to protests and extreme police response to those protests. I know that there is a lot of conflict in the area. However, any other information really has to be assessed in court. I can say which ones I believe, but its not quite “facts” yet.

How are media sources handling/covering this conflict? Is there specific bias?

I think that each news source has some clear bias. More traditionally conservative news sources are retelling a story benefitting the officer. More traditionally liberal news sources are retelling a story benefitting the prosecution.

Are you planning on making any contributions to spreading news of Ferguson to the Blake community?

Definitely. As a member of Justice League, I want to get some larger discussions and involvement opportunities formed. I’m also always doing something on social media to talk about Ferguson.

How can members of Blake become educated and involved?

Read and watch things from multiple sources to understand the Mike Brown case. But also read resources talking about race in America and its intersection with the criminal justice system. In the library is a book called The New Jim Crow about just that. To get involved, just look on the Internet or ask around. There are lots of things going on.

Are the protestors going too far?

No. As a whole, they are expressing decades of pent-up anger about the oppression they face that have been unleashed by the death of Mike Brown. It’s also unlikely that the police investigation would be fully impartial without constant attention to it.

How could police forces have handled the protests differently?

Honestly, I think that the police officers shouldn’t need to handle the protests really. Protestors themselves have stopped any looting. The police posted there are mostly to inspire fear and give a false sense of control. If anything, police should be there to assist protestors in expressing their rights to free speech and free association.

Why are journalists being threatened by Ferguson police force?

Because our system wants to hide the skeletons in its closet. If there were nothing to hide, there wouldn’t be a problem with media.

Was Michael Brown a criminal? Is Darren Wilson?

Mike Brown was jaywalking. Not a criminal offense. Darren Wilson killed a teen. A criminal offense. This is the case in the simplest form. However, different rules apply to police officers. And different rules apparently apply to young black males. We have to wait for the court to state their ruling, but I’ve made my decision.

Was his death an issue of race?

If this were a singular case, I would say probably not. But in the context of a society in which 14% of the population is black and 1/3 of arrest-related deaths are black men, even though there is no significant difference in crime rates between the races, this is just one example of broader racial oppression bordering on extermination.

How is racism still present in modern day society?

Yes. Find yourself some statistics. There’s too much to say here.

Is racism present at Blake?

I’m sure every student at Blake can think of at least a couple racist incidents. I’m sure students of color can think of a few that happen to them every day. Blake is part of a society that is racist and society conditions us to be racist. Blake doesn’t escape society by being a private school.

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ZEAM PORTER:

What are your thoughts on the conflict in Ferguson?

I questioned social progress and if oppressors get to dictate said progress, can you even call it that? A sign I held up a week ago was being raised in the air in the ’60. “Black Lives Matter”

How are media sources handling/covering this conflict? Is there specific bias?

Media/News coverage is dictated by corporations/ people with high privilege and is not for marginalized groups. All news is bias, and if someone tries to break through the barriers of lies, they end up blacklist and/or dead. Fox news is purposely giving false information and perpetrating stereotypes (this is called disinformation).

How can members of Blake become educated and involved?

Thats a scary question. Many people at Blake will never have to worry about being gunned down for the color of their skin or for their gender expression; most  have the privilege of staying silent. In my humble opinion, white people shouldn’t raise their fits, shouldn’t put their hands up and say don’t shoot, that almost makes other people’s struggle trivial. What many members CAN do is learn, do research give voice to the countless people who die everyday at the hands of police brutality. Boycott Fox News, go to rallies and respectfully participate while stepping back, you should not be the face of this campaign.  This issue is SUCH a huge conflict with many factors; people can help by demanding a better and more diverse education. Speak with your teachers, have debates in class, read books by people who differ in race, gender, and sexuality than you. Don’t tokenize your friends with identities that are not in the majority, recognize your privilege. Read up on what it means to be an ally, decide for yourself if you even believe in that term, Question sources that disregard a certain voice. Be conscious. Stay awake, or wake up. Realize that no one is perfect, dont think you are better than anyone for doing social justice work, realize that there is no simple answer or solution and that becoming educated and involved means stepping out of your comfort zone.

Are the protestors going too far?

Are the police? Our are officials when they filibuster? Is our news going to far? Is protecting yourself going too far?

How could police forces have handled the protests differently?

Dont harass pocs (people of color) and then stay quite when white protesters scream actual violent cheers. Some see a police officers badge and get flash backs to the 5 point star the KKK used. Dont use tear gas that is not even allowed in war, dont wear more armor than soldiers fighting in other countries right now, wear front facing cameras, don’t racial profile… I could go on.

Why are journalists being threatened by Ferguson police force?

Because their are people with power and money who want to keep things the way they are (especially the ones that profit from it) even if those systems oppress many identities.

Was Michael Brown a criminal? Is Darren Wilson?

Yes, Michael Brown was a black male, black males are automatically criminalized. His blackness made him a threat. Racism causes this criminalization and some have the nerve to create a medical -phobia for it. (Negroephobia- mask created to hide the term racism) Darren Wilson executed an unarmed black man, you tell me.

Was his death an issue of race?

Yes. White murders are escorted to jail untouched yet black people are murdered for no reason or petty crimes. Wilson is on payed leave right now, while a police officer in another state killed a dog and got fired immediately. Black males deal with people crossing the side walk when they walk down the street OR get followed for being in the wrong neighborhood. Yes, this is an issue of race and those who say otherwise are the reason I pray my child is not male-bodied.

Is racism present at Blake?

Yes, racism is present within us all, we have been marinated into it -its part of american culture. We watch tv and only see white characters presented with having a wide range of emotions and not in ridge stereotypes, our politicians debate whether other human beings should have basic rights, our text books mostly portray pocs as being barbaric or fighting for their rights and rarely gives credit to all the thoughtful and life improving contributions pocs have made. Students and teachers alike call others “exotic” , ask to touch other’s hair, assume some are on financial aid, roll their eyes when there is a school-wide talk on race, and make heart-breaking comments on social media. BUT that is not to say this is everyone or that Blake is not a place of continuous growth and positivity. Our head of school, teachers, and many students are thoughtful and aware of privileged, racism,  what it means to be an ally and work hard to create a safe space for all.

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WILL WATKINS:

I think that what’s happened in Ferguson exposes a long problem that the African-American have had with the police and just confirms the divide and racism that has long existed in Missouri and just shows that racism is still present even though we are blind to it. I think that the media has done a decent job in reporting on this case of extreme tragedy.

Is racism still present at Blake?

Blake does a good job and racism is present anywhere white people are at Blake it is, but it’s kept to an extreme minimum.

 

What are your opinions toward ferguson?
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What are your opinions toward ferguson?