What to Take Away from the Ferguson Decision

By Bethany Holtz on November 27, 2014

Photo Credit: European Pressphoto Agency

When my editor sent out our weekly article suggestions Monday night I thought that there was little to no chance that I would be using any of my Thanksgiving break to write an article, but decided to skim the list just in case. At the bottom of the list was a suggestion to write about Sunday night’s American Music Awards. Since I had been raving about my favorite performances to anyone that would listen, I thought that I could channel my enthusiasm into a quick article. I was feeling very accomplished for the night before Thanksgiving break. Not only did I finish all my work due before I left and homework due after break, but I cleaned my apartment and wrote a rough outline for my AMA article. Later in the night, however, I would get a reality check to remember what is truly important in the world.

My wake up notice came from none other than my best friend from home. We had been texting back and forth periodically over the last several days to decide what we wanted to do together over break. She had spent her fall semester in Africa and neither of us had seen each other for weeks. So when her texts were less than enthusiastic about finalizing our long awaited reunion I asked her what was up. What she told me made me realize that in a time when I should be reflecting on just how grateful I am for everything I have, I had become absorbed in my own little world.

My friend shared that she was disappointed by the Ferguson verdict and that her somber mood was rooted in that. I had briefly seen the new headline on my Facebook feed but decided I had other interests. When my friend brought up the topic I realized how naive I had been. I was quite frankly ashamed that I thought my attention could be better spent rewatching AMA performances to accurately describe the music and dance routines.

I’m not going to take a side on the Ferguson decision because I wasn’t there at the time of the incident and I believe the only way that one can truly have the right decision in this sensitive case would have been to watch the entire unfolding with unbiased eyes. Since I can’t do that personally and I can’t rely on today’s media to present me nothing but the facts, I want to remain neutral. I do, however, think that there is a positive message we can all take away from this case regardless of what side we fall on.

We live in a country that prides itself on freedom and democracy, yet I can turn on the nightly news any day of the week and find an example of someone using their freedom to misjudge another person. We judge people left and right, whether it be based on race, religion, or socioeconomic status. Some of us are more at fault than others but I’m sure that we can all think of an instance when we judged someone based on what they were wearing or what kind of car they were driving.

America prides itself on being one of the greatest countries in the world yet we fail to realize the privileges and blessings we have around us because we are fortunate enough to live here. What if we used our money, power, and drive to better our country and the world abroad instead of being concerned about remaining an economic power or having the best of everything? We do a lot of great things as a country and a nation but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

Every single person in the world has value and more often then not we seem to forget that. We are all Americans and all humans. I challenge you to find the value in everyone and treat them as if you see that value in every action and word they do and share.

Photo Credit: www.freedomandjoy.org

As we all travel home to celebrate a holiday founded in being appreciative of all the things that we have, show your friends and family just how much you really do appreciate them. And better yet I challenge you to show a complete stranger that you appreciate them, whether that be helping an elderly citizen carry their holiday groceries, or donating a few dollars to a homeless man on a street.

Let’s take this opportunity to stand up for equality for all. Show the world that we live the messages we preach. Remember united we stand, divided we fall.

 

Information gathered from: The Wall Street Journal (http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2014/11/25/thousands-protest-ferguson-decision-in-new-york-city/), and the New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/us/ferguson-grand-jury-weighed-mass-of-evidence-much-of-it-conflicting.html?ref=us).

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