PHOTOS: Adrian C. Garcia and SaraJI
Where we go from here will decide how Michael Brown is remembered in history
“One day the world will know my name.”
Six gunshots rang out. Then Michael Brown’s body lay for four hours soulless in the middle of Canfield Drive. At his funeral, his family spoke about Mike’s desire to be impactful in the world. Shortly after that declaration, his modern day lynching would be the revolutionary spark needed to awaken mass participation in the struggle for justice (for all soldiers killed by the police gangs) and liberation (from the racist and oppressive police state). Ferguson was not an isolated incident. It was a spark that has ignited people in cities all across the county.
We continue to stand at a critical junction. Meaning, will true revolution and revival be sparked in this country, or is this another moment? To make this transformational, I believe we need more people to be engaged and resisting this police.
Over more than 100 days, people from all across the country and around the world have worked tirelessly to shift this moment into a movement. People are fearless in expressing their anger and frustration with the system. Social media continue to play a critical role for rebellions in the 21st century.
The moment is here. We have been successful in making it something more. However, we have not tipped the rock of oppression over the cliff. Moving forward there are a few things we must do. It is imperative that we organize new people into the movement.
Our struggle is an international one. We live in a world where global is local, and it’s imperative that we connect our struggle with the struggles around the world. Continued development of a historical analysis, research and studying of past rebellions is also critical to developing the best strategy. It is important to remember that we have not begun to experience the retaliation from the State (think Jim Crow, crack, and mass incarceration).
Six shots and 4 hours later, Mike Brown will be forever remembered in history. But it is up to us to decide if it will be for a revolution or just another moment.
