Hands up Don’t Shoot

By: Faith Burrell

In Ferguson, Missouri Mike Brown was shot and killed by a white police officer named Darren Wilson. Many people thought this was unfair and protested, soon these protest turned into riots.

The Ferguson community is frustrated with the shooting, riots, and looting stores. Peaceful protesters were treated unfairly. They had rubber bullets shot at them and tear gas thrown at them. “My opinion is that what’s going on is unfair and I don’t see why they think its right to have a police officer murder an innocent person walking down the street,” said Aliya Byers 7^th grader at Northwest Middle School. The media said that Mike Brown was bigger and stronger than the officer. Most people thought this was the reason he was killed. “I think the officer shot Mike Brown because he felt intimidated by him,” Aliya Byers said. The people of the Ferguson community and many more thought officer Darren Wilson was wrong for killing Mike Brown. “I think the officer was wrong because he didn’t need to shoot an unarmed teenager especially since he wasn’t doing anything wrong or against the law.” Aliya said.

There were other ways to deal with this altercation. Many people believe the officer should have tazered Mike brown instead of shooting him nine times. “I think there was another way of handling that situation because if the officer really wanted to take him down he could have tackled him,” Aliya said. Most people believe the rioting and shooting was very unnecessary in Ferguson. “I think its ridiculous for the rioters to tear up their own neighborhood. Also I think the shootings were wrong and unnecessary.” Aliya said.

The tragic situation left the Ferguson community furious and wanting answers. “I think it was a very sad situation regarding those who broke into homes, some people lost their lives but I think there is a bigger issue”, said Dr. Mitchell principal at Northwest Middle School. “My honest opinion is that I don’t feel like he deserved to die like that.,”, Dr. Mitchell said. The shootings and riots have affected many people in the Ferguson some people lost their lives. “My opinion is that is sad you don’t loot and burn down you community, no one can convince me that just because Mike Brown was done wrong that people should burn down churches”, Dr. Mitchell said.

African Americans are not the only ones offended by Officer Wilson’s actions.  “I’m feeling like what has happened in Ferguson is something that has been sitting under the surface for a long time in most interactions with the police for people of color aren’t positive. I believe there are too many people losing their lives”, said Mr. Roush Caucasian Teacher at Northwest Middle School. “Police officers are put in extremely dangerous positions there are too many guns in our country. The officers that go into these communities operate under the assumption that every 15 -30 year old has a gun”, Mr. Roush said.

Ferguson needs someone in power that understands the problems and hardships within the community. “I feel that this is extremely important in successful leadership and again we know that the powers that lead in Ferguson are not in tune with the majority the people”, Mr. Roush said. We can only hope that Ferguson will get the help they need to become a safer environment for the community.