St. Thomas students joined the hundreds of people protesting decisions to not indict police officers in Ferguson, Missouri, and New York City following the deaths of two African American men. Across the country and even internationally, thousands have joined in peaceful demonstrations, walk-outs and marches attempting to shut down highways all to protest allegedly racist police killings. However, in Ferguson’s case, protests have also caused violent outbreaks, looting and riots.
The issue has extended beyond the controversial shooting of an African American teenager. To some, it has become about fighting back for injustices they have suffered, which has led to violence. To others, it is about creating equality for all people of all races.
Perhaps this issue can be traced back to the time of Martin Luther King Jr. There was a movement for equality, and those who peacefully banded together created social change. But the current protests show that problems of discrimination still remain, namely racial profiling. What we have learned from the past can still be applied today: Peaceful actions, rather than retaliation and aggression, are the most effective for creating change.
Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “law and order exist for the purpose of establishing justice, and when they fail in this purpose they become the dangerously structured dams that block the flow of societal progress.” Many people believe the Ferguson and New York City decisions failed to execute justice. The decision can be seen as stopping societal progress because to some it is allowing continued racial profiling. However, violent reactions to the jury’s decision are equally destructive to societal progress.
In order to solve any societal problem, there must be change on both sides of the issue. Violence and hatred may make some people feel powerful, but in the end, it will only create tension on both sides and won’t solve any problems. Nor will outrage effectively change the minds of others if the actions of a small percentage of violent protesters hinder the progress the majority of peaceful protesters are working toward.
To pursue the flow of societal progress and make changes to end discrimination, people must be willing to agree that the problem exists. Additionally, people on both sides must be willing to communicate to fix the problem. King also said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
People of all ages and races are participating in peaceful demonstrations and showing they are passionate about making a change in our society. In response, President Barack Obama signed an executive order for increased police training with officer-mounted cameras, so their actions can accurately be recorded. Nobody can change history or take back injustices that have occurred, but hopefully these actions can prevent future injustices from happening.
These protests will not immediately change people’s minds about race. This has been a problem throughout America’s history. But they can help everyone realize that we should not assume things about all people of one race. Individuals should be thought of as people, not simply part of a certain race. There is no easy fix for this problem, but taking part in peaceful demonstrations, whether to stop discrimination against your own race or show solidarity for others, is the effective way to call for communication and participate in changing the societal problems against races.
Claire Noack can be reached at noac8702@stthomas.edu.