The Justice Department’s Ferguson Report: What WE already knew and what WE can do!

Did racism play a key role surrounding the untimely death of Michael Brown?

You betcha'!

From the time the Democrat Prosecutor muddied the waters handing over conflicting evidence and witness testimonies to the Ferguson grand jury, WE knew the ugly truth despite the right wing media's and politicians' blaming the victim and denying that racism exist. (See An Inconvenient Political Truth link below.)

Well, the conflicting evidence and witness testimonies tied the Department of Justice's hands in being able to charge Officer Wilson, but the findings provided no doubts as to whether or not racism played a role in Michael's death. 

Following are a handful of the Department of Justice's findings. More details are provided in the Sources links below:

• 7 racist emails issued by officials employed by the Ferguson Municipality including police officers, court supervisors and commanders even racist emails defaming the President of the United States!
• Black motorists were twice as likely as whites to be searched but less likely to be found in possession of contraband such as drugs or guns
• Blacks in Ferguson were 68% less likely than others to have their cases dismissed by the Municipal Judge.
• Blacks were used in the criminal justice system to buoy the city’s economy and balance the budget
• The practices uncovered by federal investigators have violated residents’ Constitutional Rights of due process and equal protection under the law.
• Blacks were subject to unfair stops and arrests for minor offenses like “manner of walking” on a roadway!?!?

No  good can come out of oppression  through racial discrimination.

When one group of individuals oppresses the rights, opportunities, and/or freedoms of another group of individuals, mistrusts, a low sense of worth, feelings of isolation, frustration and, ultimately anger are sure to follow!

  

On the upside - WE can take action to combat racial oppression:

Sign petitions and...

Fight Racism Now - Put anti-racism on the politicalagenda

fightracismnow.org/

Petition ·Require Ferguson and St. Louis County and City ...

https://www.change.org/.../police-chief-jon-belmar-require-fe...

After Ferguson, We Must Change Policeand Court Practices ...action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/change-police-and-court-practice...

...there's more

1. First and foremost, keep Selma alive - vote in every election - national or local/midterm or general. When WE don't vote, we give up a chance to select congressional reps, governors, mayors, city council members and in some states attorney generals, prosecutors, and judges. These are the officials who determine political agendas and hire individuals who decide our rights, opportunities, freedoms and the racial tone under which we are governed. Remember - in cases where court and judicial officials are not elected, they are appointed by the individuals WE do elect! 
2. Continue peaceful demonstrations.
3. Explore and share anti-racism resources on your social networks -  national organization names, local anti-racist organizing groups, workshops, conferences, papers and articles. (See Setting an Anti Racism Table link below.)
4. Join anti-racism and/or anti-discrimination organizations such as CALLL, the Anti-Racist Alliance,  the Center for Social Inclusions, Colorlines, Poverty and Race, Racial Equity (See Resource links below.)
5. Participate in anti-racism and/or anti-discrimination campaigns such as the YWCA  Stand Against Racism, Fight Racism Now- Put anti-racism on the political agenda campaigns. (See Resources links below.)

SOURCES

Justice Department: No Darren Wilson charges - CNN.comwww.cnn.com/.../ferguson-darren-wilson-justice-department-report/

The seven racist e-mails the Justice Department highlighted ...

www.washingtonpost.com/.../the-seven-racist-e-mails-...

Justice Department: Ferguson violated blacks' civil rights ...

www.slate.com/.../justice_department_ferguson_violated_blacks_civ...

An Inconvenient Political Truth: That St. Louis Prosecutor Is ...

www.thenation.com › Blogs › John Nichols


RESOURCES

Anti-Oppression Resources | Washington Peace Center

washingtonpeacecenter.net/antioppressionresources

Anti-Racist Organizing - Setting an Anti-Racist Table

anti-racist-table.weebly.com/anti-racist-organizing.html

CALLL | Collaboration on Antiracism Learnings, Legacies ...

www.nationalcalll.org/

Anti-Racist Organizations/Dismantling Racism - National ...

noacentral.org/page.php?id=22&subid=270

Anti-Racist Alliance

www.antiracistalliance.com/

YWCA's Stand Against Racism

standagainstracism.org/

Spread the word via the links above.