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Michael Brown, police brutality and racism: Let's stay focused on the big picture

1,856 views · Published 19 August 2014 · 9:51 · Indexed 26 October 2026

Channel: The Dr Boyce Watkins Black Excellence Channel · 2014 · People & Blogs

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In this video, I give my "after take" on the situation with Michael Brown being shot by officer Darren Wilson.  My point here is not to speak on things I don't know, but to focus on the things that I do know. 

One thing I know is that police brutality and misconduct is a nation-wide problem, and police terror is an issue that has to be confronted. As we speak on what happened with Michael Brown and his situation, I argue that we should also focus on ensuring that this movement is not just a pile of wasted energy with no long-term and sustainable product. 

My goal is not just to fix the tiny police department in Ferguson, Missouri.  My goal is to focus on all of the Fergusons that exist throughout America.  There have been several other black men killed by police since Michael Brown died, but they were not fortunate enough to receive any media attention.  So, rather than running from case-to-case and expressing energetic outrage with no sustainable product, I propose that we maintain our focus on the larger issue. 

Dr. Cornel West, Carl Dix, Jerome McCory and Michelle Alexander have named October to be the month of resistance against Police Terror and Mass Incarceration.  I encourage those who are passionate about the fight for justice for Michael Brown to also battle equally hard for the thousands of other Michael Browns you will never get a chance to see on CNN.  

This movement in Ferguson must not be a moment in Ferguson, and it must not remain in Ferguson.  In order for us to be taken seriously and for us to truly protect our sons, we are going to have to dig to the root of this issue and focus on long-term solutions to the severe problem of police misconduct in America.

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