WASHINGTON, December 4 (Sputnik) — The Ferguson protesters have shined a light on institutional racism prevalent in the American society, experts on race relations have told Sputnik.
"Ferguson protestors are on the cusp of a steadfast movement calling out the systematic racism embedded within U.S. society that allows for Black lives to be unjustly taken at the hands of law enforcement with little to no reprimand," multicultural media specialist Jessica Ann Mitchell told Sputnik Wednesday.
"The protests have in no way been marred by violence. To believe this is to believe anti-Black propaganda spread by local officials, agencies and media in hopes to discredit the movement," Mitchell said.
According to Mitchell, the lives of black people are not valued on the same level as other races.
"Ferguson protestors are putting the U.S. on notice that Black lives matter and there is going to be a consistent push to make sure Black lives are protected and valued," Mitchell said.
"Race is a complex issue in America. It is woven deep into institutions like the criminal justice system. Because it is so complex, many white people do not see it, but minorities see it every day. The Ferguson protests are a reminder that we have not solved this problem," Blazak said.
Although some measures on the part of authorities may indicate that individuals are less racist, state institutions are actually hard to change, the professor explained.
In August, Michael Brown, an 18-year-old African-American, was shot dead by white police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri. A grand jury decision on November 24 not to indict Wilson sparked nation-wide protests that US police responded to with tear gas, batons and flash grenades.
