Living in “the bubble” of Aspen, I have personally never witnessed any racial discrimination or violence first hand, but in keeping up with the news on TV, I do see violence across the nation and in the world on a daily basis. One case, which is still widely debated, is the case of Michael Brown being shot by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson Missouri. To many people, it is a clear case of injustice and racial discrimination, while many others feel that the justice system acted correctly and appropriately. I was unsure as to which side I favored until many of the facts of case came to light. After days of deliberation, prosecutor McCulloch announced that the grand jury found Darren Wilson innocent of all charges. After his announcement, McCulloch shared many of the facts that the grand jury considered with the general public.

“Officer Darren Wilson shot and killed unarmed black teen Michael Brown,” was the phrase that I heard most often from the media to describe the case against Wilson, and every word of that phrase is true. However, when considering the evidence released from the grand jury deliberations, the above phrase seems to leave out some other important truths.

According to the “Narrative Report” by the office of the medical examiner, and CNN,  Michael Brown was captured on video stealing a box of Swisher Sweet cigars from a convenience store and then shoving the clerk out the way as he left the store. Officer Wilson saw him on the street carrying the box, and attempted to arrest Michael Brown.  Browns blood and a bullet found inside Wilson’s patrol car lead investigators to believe that Brown’s hand was shot while inside of the car. Wilson testified that Brown punched him in an attempt to get his gun while reaching through the car window. Wilson had bruises on his face to substantiate his claim. Wilson later chased Brown, until Brown turned and charged back. Wilson then shot Brown several times including a shot to the top of Brown’s head which was the shot that killed him.

After considering the facts above, I cannot find a connection to Brown’s death and racial discrimination. The grand jury decided that the officer was acting to defend himself, and although the death of Brown may be tragic, he was killed while attacking an officer of the law, according to evidence presented to the grand jury and cited above.

Upon hearing the verdict of the grand jury, some residents of Ferguson and the surrounding areas were so enraged that they began to protest violently in the streets of Ferguson. 25 businesses were burned to the ground, hundreds of gun shots were heard, and 12 civilian cars and 1 police car were incinerated according to the Daily Dot. The damage done to Ferguson has caused devastation to the community at large, but perhaps has done even greater damage to black and white relations. Anyone can go online and read the countless and diverse opinions. One African American man blogged, “Violence may not stop violence, but it beats dying with your hands up.” A white woman answered, “I heard all the stories, he charged the cop, he’s a thug.”

In a few days, most businesses and schools will close to celebrate Martin Luther King Day. Martin Luther King Jr is considered by many to be the greatest civil rights leader in American history and lead many peaceful protests.  I would have liked to have seen a prominent black leader take the reins of the crowd when the verdict was released. Ferguson could have used the inspired words of the Nobel Prize winning King on that horrible night of pointless violence.

Perhaps if the protesters of Ferguson could have heard the words of the “I have a dream” speech, they might have not thought to burn and loot, but to stand together instead, as King preached.

Although, I personally have never witnessed racial discrimination, I have no doubt that it does exist. Many people do and will continue to believe that Michael Brown’s death was a case of racial injustice. While I do not support racism in any way, I think that the riots and violence demonstrated in Ferguson does nothing to stop it, and if anything, probably set back race relations, and the work of true civil rights leaders, like Martin Luther King.