Opinions Editor Ryan Obradovic explores stereotypes associated with Ferguson
By: RYAN OBRADOVIC
Opinions Editor
The decision of the Michael Brown case has everyone up in arms in a difference of opinions.
Some say the decision is justified and Officer Darren Wilson was doing his duty as a policeman to protect his own life, while others believe the criminal justice system is corrupt and are tired of the discrimination and mistreatment by police.
Some of those that believe the latter have engaged in peaceful protests, respectively displaying their distaste for the verdict.
On the other hand, some are choosing to destroy the city they live in by looting, fighting, killing and setting fires to businesses.
When the riots first began, anger was an understandable reaction to the horrible news of Brown’s death and people developed their own opinions, even though details of the case were not fully known.
However, after time went on the riots continued even though details surfaced, leading people to believe that Wilson was innocent.
Even after the verdict was made confirming Wilson’s innocence, the riots escalated to war.
It’s perfectly fine for someone to disagree, question and challenge authority, but destroying a city will not bring justice to anyone.
The question is are those people really mourning the death of Brown or are they creating an excuse to go on a crime spree and terrorize St. Louis?
The peaceful protests are supposed to raise awareness of the discrimination and harassment the African-American community faces.
Throwing Molotov cocktails at police and setting their cars on fire is not helping to solve the problem.
Those taking part in the criminal activity are only strengthening the stereotypes associated with them.
This situation was a perfect time to show not only St. Louis, but also the United States and even the world that stereotypes are not true and everyone can work to gain equality.
People from all around looked onto our city to see if we could make history for this country.
They saw an opportunity for change to be made through the death of Brown; a better name for the African- American race while clinging onto the hope of equality for everyone.
Instead, the world saw the exact opposite. They saw barbarians on the street making a disgrace of themselves, the African- American community and St. Louis as a whole.
No matter if someone is black, white, Hispanic or Indian, if they destroy property and set cars on fire they will be looked at as menaces to society.
It is not because someone is black that they are being punished for this, but it is because they are breaking the law.
Positive change will not come with destruction of property. It will come from destroying the ignorant views of those who believe blacks are inferior.
The only way to do that is to continue with peaceful protests and changing for the better to survive in this brutal society.
Violence is never the answer for anything. Wars are “won” by violence, but when so many people die on each side there is no real winner.
This war going on in Ferguson is just the same. People can fight the police with violence and break the law, but when that adrenaline high fades away, those who fought have dug themselves, other community members and people everywhere a deeper hole to climb out of.
I pray the people of Ferguson and those everywhere who are striving for equality to do so peacefully.
Show the world that minorities are the same as everyone else and should be treated as such.
Rise up with a peaceful rebellion and prove that “stereotypes” is just a word.
