21 Numbers That Will Help You Understand Why Ferguson Is About More Than Michael Brown

[sheshe2]

The shooting death of unarmed black teen Michael Brown has sparked nationwide protest and outrage as the country continues to grapple with its history of racial discrimination and police brutality, especially against African-Americans. Brown's name is one of the latest additions to a long list of black males killed by officers and vigilantes in a narrative that is becoming all too familiar to many people of color.

The incident in Ferguson has not only highlighted longstanding racial tensions in the suburb itself, but has also laid bare the disparities facing black citizens in the entire country. While the Brown shooting again raises questions about the prevalence of racial profiling and police misconduct, it also reaches far beyond that, stressing ongoing issues of economic inequality, housing discrimination and unequal access to adequate education.

Some wonder why this incident seems to be the tipping point, but a quick look at the numbers can drive the point home:

snip

$99 million
The budget of the St. Louis County Police Department for 2014.

This number doesn't include the value of the Pentagon's 1033 grants, which since 1997 have flooded local police departments with $4.3 billion in gear, including surplus military-grade equipment at wholesale prices. In 2013, the program sent $449 million of military equipment to local law enforcement agencies. St. Louis County received 12 assault rifles, 6 pistols, 3 helicopters and 2 night vision pieces, according to data obtained by the New York Times. (You can find out what exactly your local authorities got from the Pentagon here).



Read More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/22/ferguson-black-america_n_5694364.html?utm_hp_ref=mostpopular

Numbers....

[Cha]

1. I'll take Michael Brown's age.. "18" from your link, she..

"Some wonder why this incident seems to be the tipping point, but a quick look at the numbers can drive the point home:"

18

"The age of Michael Brown, the unarmed black teenager killed by Officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson on Aug. 9. Brown reportedly was confronted by Wilson because he was walking in the street, "blocking traffic." Brown was a recent high school graduate and was scheduled to start classes at Vatterott College, a Missouri trade school, just two days after he was killed."

And..

6

"The number of shots fired into Brown's body by Wilson during the incident, according to a preliminary autopsy. Two of the bullets struck Brown in the head, while four struck his right arm. Wilson claims that Brown assaulted him and was reaching for his gun, forcing Wilson to use lethal force. Eyewitnesses have said that Brown had his hands up at the time of the fatal shot. The episode has served as a broader reminder that police officers generally are trained to kill targets when they shoot."

Furthermore..

86%

The percentage of traffic stops in Ferguson that targeted African-Americans in 2013, according to a racial profiling report by the Missouri Attorney General’s Office. African-Americans were targeted for 92 percent of vehicle searches, though searches of white suspects were more likely to turn up contraband (34 percent of searches of white suspects found contraband, versus only 22 for black suspects).

Coincidentally, 86 percent is also the percentage of African-Americans who think city police are usually tougher on African-Americans, according to a recent HuffPost/YouGov poll."

Thank you for your OP, she.. very important information that we've been learning about over the last two weeks but that escapes those who are clueless as to why this could happen and suggest it could not even be about racism.. Looking at you, Rand Paul. "Whitesplaining" how it could not even be about racism while trying to hold on to his racist fan base.

Michael Brown

[sheshe2]

2. If...

Wilson claims that Brown assaulted him and was reaching for his gun, forcing Wilson to use lethal force.

If that is true and I do not believe it is, then it started in the car. That means the "officer" and I say that word with the utmost distaste unlocked his weapon in the vehicle. He was ready to use lethal force when he told Michael to get on the sidewalk. Seems like murder was on his mind. From what I read, my take, Michael was stalked and shot to death. Excessive force there was no FUCKING need to shot that child, that young man six damn times.

No incident report and one huge cover up!

Rest in peace Michael. You were another target for a racist to do murder. We have to stand for you now, we all do. If justice is not served, then I have lost all faith in our system.

I thank President Obama for sending AG Holder and the FBI to find the truth.

[Cha]

3. From so many witness accounts Darren Wilson murdered an unarmed Michael Brown

in the street with his hands in the air. There was no way he needed to fire those last two fatal head shots.. no matter what went on at the window of the police car.

It's a case of police brutality gone lethal again against Black people in the US.

So grateful the President and AG Holder are on the job, she.. I saw a clip of Holder on the L O'D show saying that the DOJ is standing with the People of Ferguson, MO.

[sheshe2]

6. Agreed Cha!

However if it started at the car and Wilson unlocked his weapon there. Then it was deadly force from the beginning. You do not unlock unless you plan to use it and he did.

[sheshe2]

4. WTF! Why does St Louis need this!

$99 million $99 million $99 million $99 million $99 million $99 million $99 million $99 million
The budget of the St. Louis County Police Department for 2014.

Hello DU, why does any police force need this? What is wrong with this picture!!!!!? How about we feed the children. How about we educate the children! Why are we spending so many dollars to murder the children and enable those that do?

[daleanime]

5. Amen....