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Howard Shelton sitting across the street from the Police Station

On August 8, 2014, a young African American man named Michael Brown drew his last breath and said his last words. “I don’t have a gun, stop shooting!”

Ferguson, Mo. police officer Darren Wilson did not stop though. And on that same day a young man named Michael Brown drew his last breath, and died. The autopsy said Brown had bullet wounds in the hands, chest, and a fatal shot to his head.

“They [Ferguson police] don’t shoot to wound,” one young Ferguson citizen, Howard Shelton said. “Now mind you, they don’t shoot to wound, they shoot to stop the threat.”

Shelton has been involved with protesting in his town since Brown was shot. He goes to the city meetings, and tries to stay informed on the situation.

Brown’s death struck many as racism, while according to the Ferguson police, Officer Wilson said it was self-defense. Others have another opinion on it.

“To some people it could be a race thing, because, one thing I will say is, other places and other cities I have gone to, especially the south, people are racist. Like they say ‘I’m a racist.’ It’s like: okay, I know that. I know where we stand,” Shelton said in regard to what he thinks about racism in his town and state.

“Missouri people don’t do that. Like, if they are racist they say ‘Hey!’ and give you a dirty face when you look away.”

When he was asked about why the police officer shot Brown, he said: “I think the only way that would be just is if the police officer’s life was in danger.”

Recently after Brown died, people demanded the name of Wilson. A middle-aged woman, and citizen of Ferguson, Angelique Kidd, shared her story after his death and said, “I didn’t even get involved until the next Tuesday when Chief Jackson was going to come on TV and give us the name of Darren Wilson, and he didn’t. So I went outside and wrote ‘WHO SHOT MICHAEL BROWN’ on my car windows, and seven cop cars stopped in front of my house.”

Later Kidd said, “I’ve never even had a speeding ticket here.”

After police did not release Wilson’s name, protesting started on the corner of Caddifield, and Canfield, the streets where Brown was shot. Police responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and a five-second rule. The five-second rule was put into place to stop protesting. If a citizen stands on the street for five seconds they are immediately arrested by the closest officer and put in the Ferguson Police Department until further notice.

“There’s a distrust,” Kidd said. “There is a bigger and bigger gap between whites and blacks.”
Shelton reflected further by saying, “We all are human, and we all deserve to be treated fairly. No body should be able to shoot anybody, and get away with it.”

Recently, after the protesting died down a tension was visibly there between the citizens and police according to on scene reporting. Graffiti was everywhere on traffic signs, streets, grass, and bus stops. All saying “Hands up, don’t shoot.” Or “R.I.P. Mike Brown.”

The family of Brown has been raising money for victims of police brutality.

The Brown family was not contacted when Michael Brown died, according to Shelton. “His mom didn’t know until she got off of work,” Shelton explained. “She got home and didn’t know it was her son on the street.”

He went on to say, “At the end of the day those officers just want to go home, and people in the streets just want to go home.”

Shelton said in the end it all comes down to treating others with respect and cites the traditional golden rule.

“The constant battle is going to have to stop by us pointing out and acknowledging the fact when we see something unjust. We go so far by just putting our head down and pretending like we don’t see things. That helps add to the cycle. Speak up. I mean, because we are all the same. Treat people the way you want to be treated, and that’s what it’s come down to. People don’t want to give each other with the respect that they demand,” he said.

On October 28, Police Chief Jackson said he would step down, and then, on October 30 he said he would “stay and see this through.” Which really describes how back and forth this whole thing seems is.
The shooting in Ferguson has struck up many more protests about injustice, and issues in America, and even all over the world. There was a rally held in Des Moines for Brown and the Brown family to show they were supported.

Social Media sites like Twitter and Tumblr have been turned into live action news sites for those who are involved. Citizen journalism is taking a powerful role in alerting the public on new happenings and updates.

When asked what North could do to help, Shelton said one word, “Inform.”

Getting educated about the topic and informing others. Don’t just sit and listen. Help figure out how to make the world a better place and keep this from happening again. Don’t stay silent. Get involved by opening your mouth and speaking against the problems in the system in today’s society.

When The Oracle reached out to the Ferguson Police for comment, it was turned down and redirected to a media representative via email. No reply was received by the time the publication was sent.