Who wins after the riot?

This is a scene from Ferguson, MO. The Grand Jury has spoken and in a decision which surprised no one, voted to not indict Officer Wilson of Murder!

The eye witness testimony was contradictory at best. It was proven that at least two of the witnesses at the scene lied to police. Finally, the autopsy of Mr. Brown left little doubt as to the facts of the case.

Do we need to look at the facts of the case again? I think not. The social implications of this incident are clear but it seem that the people of Ferguson seem to miss the point. Yes, the death of an 18 year old is sad. To his family, it is a personal tragedy. In a larger sense, any death of a young person is a tragedy.

But, Let's look at what we know. We now know that the police officer was responding to a call. We also know that the young man attacked the police officer. Should officer Wilson have let himself be killed? I don't think he signed up for that.

Mothers always believe that their children are Angels from God. That is the way life is. Mr. Brown's mother has, in her grief been shouting from the rooftops that her son was innocent of any crime and was gunned down without cause. I can understand that. She is a mother.

What I don't understand is outsiders coming in to town as the carpetbaggers of old and bringing the people up to a frenzy. I don't understand when the President of the United States allows his Attorney General to go to Ferguson and convict officer Wilson with his words before the investigation is completed.

Now, the Grand Jury has spoken. STATE charges will not be brought. But, the Justice Department is looking into the possibility of bringing Federal charges against officer Wilson. Would this have happened if the roles were reversed? Would any of this happened if the roles were reversed?

I do not believe we would be talking about this incident at all if  the skin color of the "players" were reversed. I hate even writing that. I do not judge people by the color of their skin. I do not like using skin color as a descriptor. But, maybe I am not sophisticated enough for the nuance of today's society. I'm just a simple sailor.

In the past few months, there has been a lot of talk about Dr. King. Dr. King is rolling over in his grave as he sees that we, as a society have not evolved one bit since the 1950s and '60s. This senseless rioting and looting. The wanton destruction hurts no one except the residents of the communities in which it takes place.

The grand jury decision was easy to predict and so was the reaction of the people in poor communities who are being manipulated by opportunistic publicity seekers with their own agendas. Certainly, these outside forces do not in any way have the welfare of the good people of Ferguson, MO at the heart of their motivation.

I remember the 1967 riots in Newark, New Jersey. It was a horrible sight. The city of Newark is still trying to recover from that hot summer. How long will it take for the Country to recover from this event?

One thing is proven. Racism is alive and well in America and it's not just for Minorities any more.

A sad state of affairs.

As always...