Michael Brown's mother may run for Ferguson city council

Lezley McSpadden says she is considering a run for a City Council seat in Ferguson, the city where her son Michael Brown was fatally shot by a police officer.

McSpadden was among four people who took part in a panel discussion about issues raised by Brown's death on Monday night at Harvard University.

She was prompted to mention her potential candidacy by Benjamin Crump, another panelist who is an attorney for the family. Crump urged McSpadden to discuss what she was considering.

"What I'm contemplating is running for City Council of Ferguson," she said, drawing applause and a call of "Run, Lezley, Run" from the audience of several dozen.

"There are several people back home that are willing to help me get that going and make sure that I'm treated right," McSpadden said.

Crump chimed in with encouragement. "What a legacy that would be — elected to the City Council and supervising the same police department that killed Michael Brown," he said.

[SOURCE: Saint Louis Times Dispatch]

Where's the Tea Party, Conservatives, and militias in Ferguson?

Where's the Tea Party, Conservatives, and militias in Ferguson?
By George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com

On the surface the question of where's the Tea Party, conservatives, and militias in Ferguson might sound absurd. That is unless you are me. When Cliven Bundy the tax cheat faced off against federal authorities earlier this year the Tea Party and the militias road to the rescue. How dare the government over reach by trying to make someone pay money they legally owe. Those bastards! How dare they try to oppress a real American by sending in jack booted thugs normally known as federal agents.

Now if you follow the logic of these Tea Party groups, conservatives, and militias then it reasons that they should be in Ferguson defending the rights of the people of Ferguson. Aren't they being oppressed by their local government? I mean isn't trying to shut down the media the act of oppressors? Isn't that why they claim to need all of those weapons? You know to stand up against government tyranny and government over reach.

They are supposed to stop jack booted thugs and what's more jack booted than this:

When I first saw the pictures of cops in Ferguson I initially thought I was watching coverage of the situation on the Ukraine until I saw young black men.

Where is the Tea Party decrying the loss of constitutional rights for the people of Ferguson? I'm really wondering why they are not there. I mean isn't what's going on in Ferguson the essence of their tin foil hat fantasies?

Could it be that they can't find Missouri on a map?

Could it be the fearsome appearance of the Ferguson police?

Or could it be that they only defend "Real Americans"? (dog whistle)

George Cook AfricanAmericanReports.com

Ferguson, Missouri a perfect example of what happens when blacks don't vote.

When I first started blogging I had a blog titled Let's Talk Honestly and I think it's time to talk honestly about the town of Ferguson Missouri. First I want to give my condolences to the young man's family and to voice my support for those who are PEACEFULLY protesting. But now back to talking honestly. How is it possible that a town that is predominantly black can only have one black elected black official? There is an answer and it's one some may not like but I think it's the sad truth. George Cook AfricanAmericanmReports.com.

In light of the Michael Brown shooting we are hearing a lot the town of Ferguson Missouri. It is a town of about 20,000 people that is 70% black. It is also a town with only ONE elected black official.

During a interview on NPR the town's democratic chair Patricia Bynes who is African American made the following statement when asked why there was only one black elected official.

...Well, anything other than a presidential election there is low voter turnout. And the African-American community has been disenfranchised for a very long time. When you have people who are worrying about can I get a job - can I get to work - can I put food on the table - when election day on Tuesday comes around, that is the furthest thing from their minds. And the whites that live in the community - they participate. And so they vote for who they want for counsel and mayor, and they don't always put practices in place that are best for the majority population there.[SOURCE]

While Bynes made what some may consider valid excuses they are just that, excuses. Our ancestors faced death and some did die to get us the right to vote and if nothing else we should repay that sacrifice by voting. How can you have tremendous power and cede it to someone else?

The only way a town that is 70% black can only have one black elected official is a complete lack of political involvement and engagement by the black community.

We know that black voters are there because in the chairs statement she says that they come out for presidential elections. But they obviously don't understand that local elections are the ones that impact your daily life.

Some will say that because of racism or the gold boys network it's hard for people to get involved politically. I'm not going to deny that but the low voter turnout in Ferguson shows that racist don't have to hold blacks back because they are not trying to move forward.

Because of that low voter turnout they have a police force that doesn't reflect the diversity of the community it serves and a local government that seemingly is not worried about the black communities concerns.

The people in Ferguson have to do better if they want better and stop with the damn excuses on election day.

I sincerely hope that the tragic death of Michael Brown spurs more political involvement in Ferguson and other communities. I also it becomes an example of what happens when African Americans don't participate politically.

George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.com

Civilian & police accounts of Michael Brown's shooting conflict

A friend and witnesses say Missouri teen Michael Brown was unarmed and had his hands in the air when a Ferguson police officer shot and killed him, but of course police dispute that account.