Sanchez 1

Sanchez, Miriam
English 1A
Professor Taylor
1/19/2015

Watch Racism Die Down or Speak Up?

Racial Discrimination till this day is a big part of society. Although there have been great
challenges that have opposed the growth of racial discrimination its still an opponent in todays
civilization. The individual who has stirred such impacts till this Martin Luther King Jr. who was
the leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movement. This leader not only was combating
racial inequality but were using non-violence to reach his message towards humanity.
Acknowledging his sacrifices there were no longer segregations between both races. Yet,
although he has made a great impact towards equal rights, discrimination is still occurring
against different races.

On August 9 ,2014 a African American student Mike Brown was shot and killed
for no ideal reason. Some of you may be thinking the cause was led on to be a rivalry between
gangs, or maybe even an accident. Sadly, it was not. A white police officer by the name Darren
Wilson had been the one to pull the trigger for no leading cause causing a shock witnesses, media

which led on to waves of protest in Ferguson. So what lead to this Altercation? Is it racial
discrimination?

There have been no reports that Mike Brown had been armed or had given the officer any
signs of misconduct. Although, from Officer Wilsons point of view he says that Mr. Brown
reached into the vehicle and fought for his gun. But from further investigation it shows that there
was never a armor to begin with. Which is the leading cause of this controversy in Ferguson. Its
the fact that an unarmed African American student was shot by a white officer with no leading
cause. Not only was that injustice but as well a private autopsy shows that Mike Brown was shot
at least 12 times. Including two from the car and 10 more down the street Mr. Brown sustained at
least six more wounds, including at his forehead and the top of his head, which suggested that his
body was bent forward at the waist.

This has contributed to a Racial Tension in Ferguson concerning all the protest from the
African American community especially having to be known that Officer Darren Wilson would
not be facing any charges. The evidence itself and the entire criminal justice system have lost
credibility in their own eyes. Due to years of racist policies it has led Ferguson residents to lose
all faith that the case would be handled fairly based on the juries word.

In Ferguson, Missouri the populations is 67% African American while the rest are
white .Estimates have shown that African Americans are at higher risks of being pulled over by
a cop while white Americans are not. Although theyre the ones who are constantly stopped,
white citizens are more often caught carrying illegal items, like weapons or drugs while the

minority of African Americans are not. Statistics have shown that 1 in 3 white people carry
contrabands while 1 in 5 African Americans are found guilty. The Ferguson Police Department
disproportionately targets African Americans for traffic stops minor infractions, and use of
force. About 85% of African Americans are accounted for vehicle stops as well as 93% being
arrested and 88% were subjected into being involved with use of force by police officers.
Does this seem like a coincidence? How only African Americans are being targeted?

During 2013, Ferguson had experienced 483 African Americans who were arrested while
only 36 White Americans had been arrested that year. As well 92% of searches and 86% of car
stops involved African Americans. These following patters dont seem to portray being a
coincidence. This shows the tension Ferguson is facing today towards the epidemic of racial
discrimination. Officers are not only triggering innocent people but as well are basing the ones to
be the problem by the color of their skin.

Based on these facts and observations as well as social media it has been concluded to many
African American that this was an act of racism. In which it is pretty self-explanatory that this
had been an act of injustice towards the family of Mike Brown and himself. Not only did we not
hear his part of his story based from his fatal death. But to this day many would not forget the
mistreatment that has happened in Ferguson concerning those that are in the law enforcement
having to be our source of protection instead of being the leading cause for innocent peoples
deaths.

When will racial discrimination stop? When will someone not be judged by the color of
their skin but by their character? Martin Luther King Jr. once said and I quote I have a dream
that one day this nation will rise up and live out the meaning of its creed; We hold the truths to
be self-evident, that all men are created equal delivered at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington
D.C. Yet, proclaiming such a powerful speech and moving words till this day races seem to
think they are more superior than one another. The legacy of historic discrimination continues
to weigh on the present.

In order to solve racial discrimination, we must further analyze the causes of the
problem. Racial bias seems to be one of the most important claim, individuals still act on it and it
still woks to worsen inequality. So what can we do to fix this problem? Should we wait on it till
it dies down? Possibilities of letting it die down are long gone. Racism is something that
shouldnt be tolerated whatsoever. Everyone is equal no matter the color of their skin, their
sexuality, appearance, religion, beliefs. Taking in consideration of these important factors it leads
to us fighting against discrimination. Everyone has a voice and an opinion and we should use it.

If Martin Luther King Jr. didnt fight for his race and lead the African American Rights
Civil Movement possibilities are that racism today would be worse than its foreseen. This is
why we must not wait till it dies down. We have an opportunity to make a change whether it
takes years for racial discrimination to end we should take a risk. Some of the leading ideas
would be to speak up when youre witnessing discrimination towards others. Be aware of how
tour actions might affect others whether it was intentionally or unintentionally. As well interrupt

offensive jokes or stories that seem to be portraying racial discrimination. And most importantly
discuss issues of racism and diversity with children, teens, and adults.

Taking in consideration of these ideas, we can make a change in todays society. And
fight for equal rights that all ethnicities deserve. And not be judged based off of our color of skin,
sexuality, religion, ethnicity etc. Because we were not born to be racist, racism grew by the greed
of human kind and as we started it, we can once put an end towards it.

Citations

Buchanan, Larry. "What Happened in Ferguson?" The New York Times. The
New York Times, 12 Aug. 2014. Web. 11 Feb. 2015.
<http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/08/13/us/ferguson-missouri-townunder-siege-after-police-shooting.html?_r=0>.

Caulfield, Philip. "Ariz. Teacher Fired for Defending 9-year-old against

Racists." NY Daily News. NY Daily News, 02 Oct. 2014. Web. 05 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/ariz-teacher-fired-sticking-9year-old-racist-bullies-article-1.1960714>.

Cook, Lindsey. "Racial Tensions in Ferguson Started Long Before

#DontShoot." US News. U.S.News & World Report, 14 Aug. 2014. Web. 02
Mar. 2015. <http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/datamine/2014/08/14/racial-tensions-in-ferguson-started-long-before-dontshoot>.