By Matthew Smith-Petersen

In the city of Ferguson, Missouri the news of a white male officer who had shot and killed a black 18-year-old male has shocked the whole world. According to the "New York Times", the officer, Darren Wilson, was just on a regular night shift in Ferguson, and while driving down the street, a black male, Michael Brown, confronted him. The black male charged him, and the officer drew his firearm and shot and killed Michael Brown. The family’s side of the story, including that the officer was too shifty with his weapon and fired at an unarmed man that turned out to be fatal. The family of Michael Brown has been mourning through the last weeks.
Meanwhile in Ferguson, riots have wounded the city. After the jury decided that they would not be able to take the case into court, the streets turned bad. Also according to the "New York Times", people rushed the streets, flipped cars, and burned buildings. There were approximately twelve local businesses that were raided and then set on fire to burn. However, the protests are not just happening in Ferguson; all around the country protesters are fighting not just for Michael Brown but also for the structure of this city to be renewed.
The protests happening in Ferguson have become a big debate. Justis Vesper, a junior at Audubon High School, said, “They [protests] are unjustified and I want it stopped. This officer shot and killed a man [while] in the line of duty. He was defending himself and fired his weapon as a defense.”
Following the grand jury verdict to not indict Darren Wilson, the officer has resigned from the Ferguson Police Department. Vesper said, “It was probably the best decision for him because it will calm things down.”
Some may think the current generation is different; that they handle some of these things in a better fashion. Vesper said, “We handle it better than the older generation, we don’t really see race.” The Michael Brown shooting and resulting riots could quite possibly create a nationwide problem. Vesper said, “It could turn huge with protesters and riots, I just hope it is stopped soon."
Meanwhile in Ferguson, riots have wounded the city. After the jury decided that they would not be able to take the case into court, the streets turned bad. Also according to the "New York Times", people rushed the streets, flipped cars, and burned buildings. There were approximately twelve local businesses that were raided and then set on fire to burn. However, the protests are not just happening in Ferguson; all around the country protesters are fighting not just for Michael Brown but also for the structure of this city to be renewed.
The protests happening in Ferguson have become a big debate. Justis Vesper, a junior at Audubon High School, said, “They [protests] are unjustified and I want it stopped. This officer shot and killed a man [while] in the line of duty. He was defending himself and fired his weapon as a defense.”
Following the grand jury verdict to not indict Darren Wilson, the officer has resigned from the Ferguson Police Department. Vesper said, “It was probably the best decision for him because it will calm things down.”
Some may think the current generation is different; that they handle some of these things in a better fashion. Vesper said, “We handle it better than the older generation, we don’t really see race.” The Michael Brown shooting and resulting riots could quite possibly create a nationwide problem. Vesper said, “It could turn huge with protesters and riots, I just hope it is stopped soon."