The Universal Images of Ferguson

The Universal Images of Ferguson

Through social media the rest of the world saw and became connected to the protests of Ferguson. The images posted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram gave the rest of the world the first look at what was really going: repression by state security forces.

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The Ferguson protests went global for a simple reason, the images, that were being spread like wildfire through various media outlets, are universal. Uniformed men hiding behind masks holding attack rifles looks the same around the world. The similarities do not stop at the armed forces, the picture of a man throwing a tear gas canister back at the police is nearly identical to a young Palestinian man throwing one back at the IDF.

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Ferguson cops are so eager to use their rubber bullets, tear gas, and military grade sound cannons on protesters and citizens of Ferguson,that it brings up the question of how we can call our country the home of the free or land of the brave? This situation has quickly escalated to the point where America has become no different than any other repressive state.

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It is clear that Ferguson is more than just another chapter of American racism, it has transformed into a much larger movement: a movement, or battle, for dignity and human rights. The Ferguson protests have become apart of the global movement against police state repression. Ferguson has opened up the minds of many of America’s youth, because of it’s large presence on social media, to the many inhumane, immoral militarized responses of governments around the globe.

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What is so dangerous about the Ferguson protesters, they are protesting for basic human rights. Instead of their public servants protecting them, they are shooting them down in the street, unarmed, or spraying them with tear gas. Why are they being punished for wanting to know the truth about what happened with Michael Brown. Without justice and peace for all, what leg does America have to stand on? Michael Brown will be a name for the history books. Ferguson will be taught in classrooms for it is the turning point in the bloody fight against police violence.