LETTERS

In a blink, a judgement effects a nation

Posted 12/2/14

To the Editor:

When a grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson, Missouri Police Officer Darren Wilson on November 24, 2014, a match was thrown upon a keg of social explosives. The reaction among …

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LETTERS

In a blink, a judgement effects a nation

Posted

To the Editor:

When a grand jury decided not to indict Ferguson, Missouri Police Officer Darren Wilson on November 24, 2014, a match was thrown upon a keg of social explosives. The reaction among Americans can be drawn upon a dividing line of demarcation determined by the degree of pigment in one’s skin. The majority of African Americans feel that the officer’s action was an example of a presumption of the heinousness and overall threatening nature of black people in general, which provoked the use of deadly force. The majority of white Americans feel that the officer reacted justly to a menacing and non-compliant suspect who legitimately endangered the officer’s life.

The apparition of injustice has tainted United States history since the Sons of Liberty first thirsted for independence. No one can state that in our adversarial and imperfect judicial system that justice is always served. Yet, we as a nation strive for justice and fairness and in comparison to other countries across the globe are more successful at attaining that goal.

However, especially within the black community African Americans still feel the scales of justice weighted against them. This sentiment ignited the fuse of protest and upheaval throughout the country. While in Ferguson itself, vandalism, thievery and arson raised the protesting to the level of rampant criminality. There is no justification for lawlessness and destruction no matter what one’s societal complaint might be. However, if black Americans still believe that they are unfairly targeted as presumptive criminals 50 years after the Great Society Programs commenced and 150 years after Emancipation, then a constructive dialogue about this heartfelt inequity seems warranted.

The Ferguson Grand Jury was tasked with making a judgment based solely upon the evidence presented and they decided not to indict. Incidentally, three of the jury members were African American. We must have faith that our judicial system worked in the matter of Michael Brown. Simultaneously, we must address through positive discourse and not demonstrated anger the inequities felt by our fellow Americans who happen to be black. Perhaps then the apparition of injustice will finally fade away.

Christopher M. Curran

West Warwick

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