On the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, we prepare to express gratitude for he many blessings that have been bestowed on us as Americans.
While many of us will do so, there is a significant portion of the American people that will not be feeling particularly thankful this Thursday.
Rather than gratitude, their overwhelming sentiment will be anger that justice has been denied.
Whatever one might feel about the guilt or innocence of Officer Darren Wilson, and whether he was justified in shooting unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown, a tragedy occurred.
Ferguson, a predominately African-American city with a predominately white leadership and police force, is the embodiment of the abiding grievances that lie just beneath the surface in American society.
Should we bow our heads this Thanksgiving, and along with showing our gratitude, dedicate ourselves to ensuring that the bounty we enjoy is equally attainable for all of us, regardless of race, creed, color or sexual orientation?
What would Bob Moses and the protesters from the 'Freedom Summer' of 50 years ago say about last night's riots? Are things better than they were then? How are they different?
What have Michael Brown's parents said?
Post your thoughts and comments below.
What have Michael Brown's parents said?
Post your thoughts and comments below.
I think to a point it has gotten better, but all of our minds aren't in the right place. There is some racism that shouldn't be happening. I think the stereotypes are the worst racism today and 50 years ago it was if you were African american you can't have the same rights as whites do, that is the difference between today and 50 years ago.
ReplyDelete-Zac
I think that he would think that we are better off now than we were 50 years ago but still with everything going on in Ferueson one might think that we are not as good. If the protestors and rioting would stop there might get what they want.
ReplyDeleteI think Bob Moses and the protestors would be mad that this is how they are rioting, because today were only talking about the riots and how there wrong and not the reason why they are rioting. I think things are better today than 50 years ago but still could be better. Things are different by that african americans have alot more rights. Lane Dougherty
ReplyDeletei thimk that he would think that we are better now than what it used to be 50 or so years ago i feel like that if the rioters and protestors stop they would probablly get what they wanty
ReplyDeleteI think Bob Moses would see not many changes in the ways people treat each other. They would say that blacks and whites do treat each other better but there is still riots just like back then. And they would think justice was not severed in this case but the violent riots were not the wises thing to do. For violence causes a negative impact on people.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Bob Moses and the protesters from the 'Freedom Rides' of 50 years ago would say that the riots were too violent. During Freedom Summer, they along with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) got a lot accomplished with peaceful protest. The rioters should use peaceful techniques that many learned during freedom summer such as going limp when being arrested. Things are not much better than they were then, there is much violence. In both cases justice was not served, however. During Freedom Summer, the African-Americans were not given the right to vote, and now a police officer shot a man six times, while the man had his hands up as said by numerous witnesses, that many witnesses are not likely to all be lying. -Trenton
ReplyDeleteI think that Bob Moses would say that the riots last night didn't have a purpose to accomplish. I think he'd agree for the fact that they are protesting and what they're protesting for, but not the way they're going about it. The reason for him creating his group and going down to the south had a reason, a purpose to be fulfilled where as these riots are just to show anger and frustration. I do think that things are better than they were then. The only thing I think that we really see now a days has to do with people assuming these shootings are a race issue. Some indeed are, while others aren't. Things are different in the fact that the problems that are present aren't restricting people.
ReplyDelete-Megan.
I think He would say that they were unnecessary but the ruling was unfair. He would've said that they need to protest peacefully and not riot. Things are not better than they were then, obviously, because people are actually rioting instead of peacefully protesting. They're looting and causing mass violence.
ReplyDelete-Ian
I think that he would be displeased with the rioters because they have no cause for what they are doing and are not trying to accomplish anything. When he was around he was fighting for the right to vote and protested peacefully until he achieved his goal. John Groom
ReplyDeleteI do not know what he would say he is dead and we will never know but in my own words I would think that things are different for sure 50 years ago the freedom riders were fighting for the rights of African Americans. What we have now in Ferguson is people destroying their city for honestly no reason but their is also people in Ferguson that are peacefully protesting for racial equality, I think bob would agree with them but for everyone else destroying everything I don't believe he would agree with them. TIMMMMMMMMMMMMEH
ReplyDeleteBob Moses is very much alive. http://www.towntopics.com/wordpress/2014/11/19/civil-rights-activist-robert-moses-launches-freedom-summer-events/
DeleteI think Bob would be disappointed in the actions done by the rioters I don't think he would agree with the decision made by the jury but he would have protested in a different way. Some people think that America is separated into two but at the end of the day we are all the same no matter your race or sex. - Corey Ballinger
ReplyDeleteAshley 5:
ReplyDeleteI think that everyone should celebrate Thanksgiving. Even though not everybody has the same things to be thankful for, we have still gone a long way in the past 50 years. There is still a lot to be accomplished but, for now, we should be thankful for what we do have.
Matt Suit. I think bob would not like to see the actions of the protestors or the riotors america is at two different spots in this one are rioting because of the grand joury and the other group agree with the desicion to not have the officer go to trial.
ReplyDeleteI think old Bob would have disagreed with the decision but not protested in this violent way. But we can all celebrate Thanksgiving and enjoy our time with our families.
ReplyDelete-Connor Wentzell
I think the protestors from Freedom Summer would completely disagree with the riots going on in Furgeson because what they went through was for a non violence between the races and for equality and peace to occur. Not violence. I believe that then and now are two very different situations as in the way we view things. Back then black people had hardly any rights and were treated like animals, now a days black people do have rights but are still looked down upon in some factors.
ReplyDelete-Nicholas Morgan
Bob Moses and all the other volunteers would be extremely disappointed by the way that these protesters handled their frustration. Protesters back in the 60's were the ones who were persecuted and were brutally beaten for peaceful protest. They knew that it would have a larger impact by not being violent. In the 60's the protesters were the victims, and I think they would be disappointed to see that the protesters are now the cause of all the violence. They also would be disappointed that innocent people are being effected when they had no involvement. Although things have gotten better in the sense that African-Americans are now able to have a part in their society and they do not face restrictions due to the race. They are different, however, by things are a little more complicated now. It is different now more so in the idea that everyone has a natural bias. It is common that everyone has a racial bias, and it is nearly impossible to rid them, which makes judgment more difficult to do with out a bias.
ReplyDeleteCourtney Price
Bob Moses would be pleased with everything that is going on. Not because there are riots, but because if we look back at what has happened in the past 50 years, since the start of the freedom summer movement, we have had a black president. And ironically enough, out of all of the states, Mississippi has the most black high ranking officials of any state. We cant look at Ferguson as a set back in the civil rights movement, but proof that we have more to do as a country. -Connor Yezierski
ReplyDeleteBob Moses would not be proud because he taught and practiced non-violent protests. Times have gotten better from when Bob Moses was a child or kid. But things still aren't in the ideal position.
ReplyDelete-McKenzie Thomas