That's the trade magazine I saw at Dobbs last week as I was getting an oil change. Believe it or not, Ferguson landed on the front page of 'Tire Business', which I'm told is a national publication for, you know, the tire business. The last two and a half weeks have been a blur, but I never got used to seeing the story top headlines in the national media. day after day. Things are much quieter now, but the story isn't going anywhere. Yesterday my dentist asked me about. Over the weekend I stumbled upon a pro-police rally on my way to get lunch. And every day at work we talk about what's going on, what's next, how do we advance the conversation. Since my post last week, I have continued to spend time in Ferguson, covering the situation in local schools, the continued protests (almost entirely peaceful now), and the broader implications of what happens next. What I said then still holds true-- there is no consensus. Some call this the new civil rights movement, some say it's time to let the Grand Jury run its course, others just want to get on with their lives after weeks of disruption to local businesses and schools. Late last week this group of protestors gathered on West Florissant. They marched with signs, some with hands up, then returned to the this designated gathering place (designated by police) and circled up to pray. I've been amazed by some people who we see protesting day after day, all night long.
This week, police are wrapping up their operation at 'Command Post', just a few blocks away from where that picture was taken. That's where the National Guard moved in to protect those law enforcement officers. The Guard is now gone, and businesses can resume normal operation. Before I go, I would like to send my deepest thanks to everyone who reached out to check on me these last few weeks. Especially to the friends and family who put up with the unreturned texts and phone calls, the missed birthday parties and cancelled plans. You are simply the best! Thank you.
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Everybody in Ferguson wants answers.
Everybody wants answers about Ferguson. It must be human nature to put things in a box and tie a bow around it. That’s not going to happen here. When I first arrived in North St. Louis County last Monday morning, I saw guns and fear staring back from the line of police officers. It was 3 a.m. and the super moon was shining down on us. The riots of the night before were new territory for most of the cops, definitely for me. I noticed a black man standing nearby, who appeared to be a civilian, tenderly raising his hands as he approached the barricade. My photographer, also an African-American, hung back closer to our news vehicle while I approached the uniformed group of men I subconsciously viewed as protectors. I was reminded in that moment that not everyone in our country gets to grow up feeling the same way. Since that morning I’ve learned a lot about Michael Brown and a lot about race in the city I call home. The atmosphere in Ferguson has varied so much in that time. Sometimes right before my eyes on the QuikTrip parking lot, other times in dramatic fashion as the sun goes down and a small group of unruly protestors clash with police. Each person I speak to has a slightly different reason for ending up there-- angry over the death of Michael Brown, weary of the injustices of poverty and race in America, curious and sad because their community has been forever altered. It has been difficult to witness and even harder to summarize in the 90 seconds we have for our live reports. I’ve heard so many people from other parts of St. Louis, the United States and now even the world, wondering the ‘why’ behind the unrest unfolding in Ferguson. I don’t have an easy answer. There isn’t a simple explanation or root cause of the ‘problem’. What I do know for sure is that there is no consensus. And there is no sense in grouping people together based on their color or location. In fact, that is unfair and lazy and a disservice to all involved. The points of view and perspective in the crowds in Ferguson vary greatly. Everyone sees our world with a different lens. Everyone wants a better, brighter future for the next generation. My request to you: be curious and insatiable in your consumption of information. Get it from many outlets and keep a healthy skepticism for all. Remember most of the journalists on the ground are working hard for the truth, far removed from the media monster pundits are so quick to vilify. But most of all, entertain the notion of empathy. I wish everyone could hear the way a young mom described her frustration that the QT burned down because now she has nowhere to buy milk for her baby in the middle of the night. I wish you could feel the anger and fatigue of a grandmother in Ferguson as she explained the conversation she still has with her now grown sons. “Take the ticket,” she tells them. “Never argue with police, always keep your hands visible because you could be shot and nothing done about it.” And yesterday, a woman and her young daughter, walking to the bus stop headed for kindergarten. She held back tears as she shared the lesson she isn’t prepared to teach…asking simply, “how do I explain racism to my little girl?” Maybe these accounts are far from your reality. Maybe you can't relate or don't fully believe or understand them. That's okay. Just remember that they are real for the people living in Ferguson and so many other places in the United States. This story is one that affects us all. As hard as it may be, don’t shy away from the tough conversations spurred by the death of a young black man. They will make us better and our communities stronger. Happy Friday, World Wide Web!
Sending good vibes for everyone out there who is especially ready for the weekend right now (myself included). I've been tired all week. I guess that's what a trip to Vegas will do to you! I've been trying to catch up but sometimes you just need a few days off. So the purpose of this post is to put it out there-- I'm really going to commit to writing here more consistently. I'm going for once a week. Don't want to jinx myself by saying that, but deadlines are good, right? The posts will be part-work life, part-personal, but all about what's going on in my corner of the world. I hope someone other than my mom will enjoy it... And speaking of my mom! I'd like to wish my parents a very Happy Anniversary today! Married in 1981, so that means 33 years together, standing by each other through the ups and the downs. My view of marriage has definitely evolved over the years, and I have so much respect for their relationship. They are the foundation of our family of six and I owe so much to them for the sacrifices they've made to provide for us. Prime example: catching these tasty trout so we don't go hungry. Can't thank you enough, Mom & Dad! Have a great weekend, everybody. -erau |