In one of the more tragic summer scenarios, we remember the fretful days in Ferguson, Missouri. Remember this brief timeline, extracted from USA Today…
On Saturday, Aug. 9th, a police officer encounters 18 year old Michael Brown and a friend as they walk down a street. Brown is shot to death as a result of the encounter.
The next day in a St. Louis County Police press conference, the police chief says Brown — who was unarmed — physically assaulted the officer, and during a struggle between the two, Brown reached for the officer’s gun. One shot was fired in the car followed by other gunshots outside of the car.
That evening, a candlelight vigil to honor Brown later turns violent. More than a dozen businesses are vandalized and looted. More than 30 people are arrested and two police officers suffered injuries.
As the days continue, the situation intensifies… Looting and violence continue. Local school is cancelled. Death threats are made to the police. Reports surface that Brown had been involved in a minor robbery the day of his death. Hundreds gather outside police headquarters to demand justice for Brown’s death. Over the next two weeks, the demands for justice escalate, as does the violence. Remember Brown was unarmed. Also, Brown is black; the officer is white. Injustice is assumed.
The FBI gets involved. The NAACP gets involved. The reverends Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton make appearances. Witnesses claim Brown had turned his back and was walking away — maybe even having his hands up, in some sort of surrendered posture. For weeks the protests and demands for justice loudly continue… in Ferguson’s streets, the media’s lead stories, and in social media’s passionate rants.
This past week the St. Louis Post-Dispatch posted a copy of Michael Brown’s autopsy. While some were notably frustrated by the leaked report, the confirmed autopsy shows Brown was impaired by THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. It also shows that Brown was shot at close-range, not walking away, and his arms were not raised. Brown’s blood was found on the officer’s uniform and inside the police car. While the autopsy does not give a complete account of the total truth, it also calls into question the claim that the killing was unjust. This report — solely a single piece of the investigation, although a significant piece indeed — does not substantiate claims that the shooting was racially motivated.
Please note that the Intramuralist is not suggesting what actual motives were in play. I do not claim to know. But just as I do not know the totality of the motives, neither do the Sharptons, Jacksons, any potentially opportunist activists, nor the citizens of Ferguson. Hence, I have more questions…
As we await the grand jury’s proceedings, what happens if the grand jury fails to indict the police officer?
And if the claims of injustice are proven to be either wrong or inconclusive, where will the Sharptons and Jacksons of the world be then? Will they continue to cling to what they want to be true?
One of the Intramuralist’s observations is that persons are often quick to assess and react with certainty, prompting emotion to permeate truth. This then does not allow for the wisdom that comes from patience and prudence, as there is minimal tolerance for the time necessary for all the facts to unfold. I get that; it’s easier to assume and react than it is to be quiet and wait. It’s harder still to admit we may be wrong.
My prayers remain with Brown’s family, for comfort in their ongoing grief… and for wisdom…for each of us.
Respectfully…
AR