The protests in Ferguson Missouri over the police shooting of Michael Brown don't show any signs of slowing up anytime soon. In the midst of it all, we've now gotten to the point where the protests have become some kind of show, with the media seeming to revel in telling their viewers or readers that they were tear gassed or hit by rubber bullets.
We saw a similar situation during the protests on behalf of Trayvon Martin and the Jena Six, where it almost seemed fashionable to march in the streets. The problem is that in none of these situations was there any kind of long-term, meaningful policy change that resulted from this mass of community action.
Will this be the same in Ferguson, Missouri?
In this conversation, I speak with Criminologist Dr. Chenelle Jones from Ohio Dominican University, who says that, according to her research, nothing substantive came out of the massive protets on behalf of Trayvon Martin.
Dr. Jones also talks about the presence of police captain Ron Johnson, a black man who's been "put in charge" of the situation in Ferguson. She openly asks whether he is truly part of meaningful change, or is one who is there to put a black face on the tear gas and rubber bullets being fired onto the protesters in the city.
The interview is interesting, and Dr. Jones has some great insights. While she advocates for justice for Michael Brown, she gives us a great deal to think about.
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