Social media has become a powerful tool in the 21st century. Nowadays, it’s become a habit to go on Twitter, Tumblr, and other sites to catch up to what’s happening in the world. We open our eyes and drink in different cultures; we are updated on political situations occurring worldwide, unite with strangers with stories that are all too similar to our own. But social media is a double edged sword, also used to divide and blind its users, turning valuable information into a twisted point of view, to heighten the strength of the ignorant, and to further the negative stereotypes and their flawed knowledge. And there is no better example than with what’s happening at this very instant in Missouri.
Tensions are high in Ferguson, Missouri, after the murder of eighteen-year-old Michael Brown, who was shot to death by Officer Darren Wilson, on August 9th, 2014. Reports show that Brown was unarmed, on his way to visit his grandmother, and was shot at least 6 times with his hands in the air. Forensic expert Dr. Michael Baden concluded that he was shot twice in the head, and at least five times in the arm. Almost instantly, protestors began to crowd the streets, demanding justice as well as vital information over Brown’s murder, and the police force retaliated violently to their calls. Reports have swarmed in the situation, bringing into light the efforts of the Ferguson police force to silence the protest, to the point of throwing tear gas and setting a midnight curfew. But the protests have continued despite their often violent attempts to silence it. Information has become scarce and harshly divided due to the lack of published data. Many are pointing out the shortage of true facts, but others are throwing details left and right, often without the necessary proof to validate it.
Articles have been published related to Brown’s murder, focusing on the resistance of publishing the officer who killed Michael Brown, the excessive force the police officers used such as tear gas, rubber bullets, the arrival of tanks, and the weapons and armor the police carried while the protestors were mostly peaceful, chanting “Hands up! Don’t shoot!” in Brown’s honor. News networks like CNN that were in the area during these protests emphasized on the heavy artillery of the police and the protestors not acting. Supporters of Officer Wilson weren’t too far behind, either. Friends of Wilson have come out defending his actions, stating that Wilson stopped Brown due to a call of a robbery from a convenience store, who later on punched him, tried to take his gun. Wilson had not other choice but to defend himself. This information strongly contradicts to what Police Chief Tom Jackson in an interview that Wilson did not respond to the call, but stopped Brown because he was jaywalking.
A video released by the officers of Ferguson, showing Michael Brown apparently stealing a pack of cigars, as well as Brown supposedly having a criminal record, contrary to what the St. Louis County Prosecuting Office have stated that he didn’t, have raised waves of doubt and anger, not only by the protestors but throughout social media. Which brings to question: is the force using this bit of information to their advantage to validate the shooting, or are they blaming the victim? According to Amel Ahmed of Aljazeera America, the delayed information of Daryl Wilson’s name as well as the video, spurred enough tension in the community. In an interview with Marc H. Morial, president of the National Urban League, a civil rights group that advocates for the African-Americans, Morial quoted him saying the “Ferguson police were successful in shifting discourse from an unarmed teen to a strong-armed thug killed by the police…The kid stole a box of cigars. When did we start executing people for shoplifting?”
Despite growing doubts, this did not derail the protestors not their supporters. They have continued to publish their personal accounts with photos and videos of their lives during this difficult time, the police force having prohibited any news networks like CNN to recover information to the point of being threatened. Twitter, Tumblr, and Vine are often used to update the rest of the world, and now many outsiders are depending heavily on these sources to receive information. This is when the social media became essential for this case.
By publishing their stories, they have promoted a movement in solidarity of their purpose to bring justice for Michael Brown. This has become not only a protest for him, but against communities who have been abused by police force and unjustly profiled. This movement is creating a community, and uniting people to an almost international extent. Russian students at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow are protesting , and Tibetan Buddhists arrived to show their support.
But that’s not all. Hashtags like #iftheygunnedmedown have become viral in Twitter and Instagram because of the majority of major news networks have chosen a photo of Michael Brown wearing a tank top and making a hand gesture that has sparked controversial theories, while only a minority used a photo of him in cap and gown at his high school graduation. Young African-Americans posting two pictures of themselves-one in proper attire such as in graduation robes, and another dressed in what appears to be a less favorable pose- asking the readers what picture would the media use use if they were killed? To combat the stereotypes the media displays to dehumanize them.
Other supporters of the residents of Ferguson are posting pictures and articles related to the event to raise awareness; they’re raising funds for the Brown family, teaching children while school was shut down, and collecting food or other essentials to give to the residents who are almost cut off from the rest of the world, due to the police force blocking and prohibiting anyone from entering or leaving the town. Many are also publishing their own ways of showing support to the protesters, like Lee Edward Colston and Keith Wallace in Philadelphia. They portrayed Michael Brown’s death in LOVE Park, lying on the ground for an hour in front of the iconic statue.
While the social media has shown us a darker side of humanity, it has also shown us that despite the doubts, the hatred, and confusion, there can be good, and that it is up to the people to stand up in their own way. When looking at controversial situations such as the happenings in Ferguson, it’s important when looking for information to or anything else related to the protests, be sure to check the references, investigate any sort of information that may seem questionable or that appears to be poorly proven. Look for as many different points of views of the story as you can before deciding where you stand.
If social media is to become a weapon, let it be the kind that sheds the truth.
Disclaimer: Credits of photos go to Twitter and Tumblr.
References:
- Lewis, Rennee. Ferguson Raise Question on Media Criminalization of Blacks.”
http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/8/14/ferguson-media-iftheygunnedmedown.html
- Robles, Francis & Bosman, Julie. “Autopsy Shows Michael Brown Was Struck at Least 6 Times.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/18/us/michael-brown-autopsy-shows-he-was-shot-at-least-6-times.html
- McManus, Tracy. “Social Media Movement takes on photo portrayal of Ferguson Shooting Victim.”
- Fiorillo, Victor. “Ferguson Protest: Tourists Pose with “Dead” Teen at LOVE Park.”
- Boyle, Louise. “One young man’s life cut short – another’s changed forever: Video shows cop Darren Wilson standing over body of Michael Brown.”
- Lopez, German. “Ferguson Police Chief: Michael Brown Stopped for Jaywalking, Not Robbery.”
http://www.vox.com/2014/8/15/6007055/mike-brown-robbery-shooting-unrelated
- Williams, Aja. “Michael Brown had No Criminal Record, Police Say.”
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/08/14/michael-brown-no-record/14041457/