Article Summary: The Case Of Michael Brown

Michael Brown was shot and killed on August 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri which is a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri. Michael Brown, an 18 year old man, was fatally shot by Darren Wilson, a 28 year old police officer. Michael Brown was African-American and Darren Wilson is white. Since the shooting occurred there have been protests both peaceful and violent. These protests revolve around two things, perceived racial profiling and police brutality.

At 12:01 p.m. on August 9, 2014, Officer Darren Wilson drove up to Brown and Dorian Johnson in the 2900 block of Canfield Drive. Officer Wilson ordered Michael Brown and Dorian Johnson to get off the street and onto the sidewalk. It was reported that Brown and Wilson exchanged words through the window

The author states that, “It broke the camel’s back of the killing of teenager, Michael Brown, we’re tired of the racist police department.” Know where in this article does it state that Officer Wilson shot Mr. Brown because he was black. The community and the author are assuming this is why Mr. Brown was shot. The article provides some economic and geographic data on the Ferguson area but this article mainly talks about issues the author describes as, “racial undertones.” Whether that be with the police, school system or local governments. The author clearly states that the problem is racial and has several claims to back his theories but only shows the point of view of individuals that agree with him. In other words the author is showing one side of the

Ferguson’s economic shortcomings reflect the struggles of much of the region. Its median household income of about $37,000 is less than the statewide number, and its poverty level of 22 percent outpaces the states by seven percentage points.

3. Turnout for local elections in Ferguson has been poor. The mayor, James W. Knowles III, noted his disappointment with the turnout — about 12 percent — in the most recent mayoral election.

4. There is also some frustration among blacks who say town government is not attuned to their concerns.

The author provides these points to show why the black community of Ferguson in what he states as “fed-up.” The author is implying that because of this divide of blacks and whites in the local government and police force it is why the community feels there are racial implications. The author again did not provide ant stats that show if there is an equal amount of distrust in the local governments or police force from black communities that have a large black police force. This article is assumption driven and offered little to no concrete facts to back the claims of the community.

Article Two: Ben Carson Thinks Ferguson Shooting Had 'Nothing to Do With Race, Catherine Thompson, August 25,