On November 24, 2014, Prosecutor McCulloch announced the grand jury’s decision on the Michael Brown case that has gripped the nation from Ferguson, Missouri. The grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson. The response has been overwhelming thus far. The immediate reaction saw protesters expressing their outrage and 3.5 million tweets (52,200 tweets per minute during the peak) mentioning Ferguson. Eventually, the great debates began questioning the ultimate lack of trial despite McCulloch’s long defense and claims of conflicting information. The conversation has also questioned the choice of McCulloch as the prosecutor for the case and attempted to analyze McCulloch’s motives. Today, we’re left picking up the pieces from the aftermath of the rather lengthy announcement, which included …
On November 24, 2014, Prosecutor McCulloch announced the grand jury’s decision on the Michael Brown case that has gripped the nation from Ferguson, Missouri. The grand jury decided not to indict Darren Wilson.
The response has been overwhelming thus far. The immediate reaction saw protesters expressing their outrage and 3.5 million tweets (52,200 tweets per minute during the peak) mentioning Ferguson. Eventually, the great debates began questioning the ultimate lack of trial despite McCulloch’s long defense and claims of conflicting information. The conversation has also questioned the choice of McCulloch as the prosecutor for the case and attempted to analyze McCulloch’s motives.
Today, we’re left picking up the pieces from the aftermath of the rather lengthy announcement, which included blaming the media for unrest. The rest of the world got in on the Ferguson watch as it has been since Michael Brown’s death in August. (If you missed it, North Korea has also gotten in on the action, calling America the “graveyard of human rights.”)
The public outrage has led to protests throughout the nation, but many teens, young adults and HuffPost Teen bloggers have also expressed their reactions on social media. One of the prevailing things I noticed on that fateful night was the high volume of teens who were speaking out and explaining why this isn’t just about one of our peers — it’s a bigger societal indication about civil rights and the racism that still exists in America. It’s about the reality that America hasn’t made as much progress as we’d like to believe.
But at the end of the day, I believe we can look forward to our future with hope. My first draft of a post I began writing about the grand jury decision included a line that said, “America has lost to itself.” After seeing the reactions from teens who will one day lead America, I quickly revised my thought. There is hope in the way that teens and young adults today refuse to let racism slide and in the way we’re willing to stand up for justice and what is right.
America has lost, but it has also won in so many powerful ways. I hope the following reactions from teens and young adults convince you of the same. (Warning: some mild language.)
Many of us were appalled by McCulloch’s announcement and some of the reactions.
excuse me did he just blame social media for the worlds problems like no
— Justina Sharp (@bentpieceofwire) November 25, 2014
So Officer Wilson wasn't indicted because witnesses varied on what angle his arms were raised? #Ferguson
— Jamie Gleklen (@jglek) November 25, 2014
This is so disheartening. #FergusonDecision
— Jackson Barnett (@jacksonbarnett) November 25, 2014
Disgusting to see people taking advantage of the situation. Looting and violence is unacceptable in a community that is hurting for justice.
— Garrett deGraff (@Garrettdeg) November 25, 2014
We can't let them get away with this shit. We can't let this become another page in a history book that gets tossed under someone's bed.
— Leo Sheng (@iLeoSheng) November 25, 2014
Ferguson police… I knew you were trouble when you waited hours to release the verdict. #FergusonDecision #JusticeForMikeBrown #Ferguson
— Morgan Levy (@RBF_Reporter) November 25, 2014
there is a difference between defending your opinion + destroying property because you feel like expressing it
— Justina Sharp (@bentpieceofwire) November 25, 2014
It's sad to see the battleground Ferguson has literally become. Be aware of the livelihoods you affect with violent protests.
— Isabel Song (@IsabelSong) November 25, 2014
It took minutes for Darren Wilson to shoot and kill Mike Brown.
It took seconds for millions of people around the country to call bullshit.
— Leo Sheng (@iLeoSheng) November 25, 2014
When the world makes no sense I feel so small. #ferguson
— HauntedSunshineGirl (@hauntedsunshine) November 25, 2014
We see what this really means for America and racism.
Ferguson doesn't end with an indictment or a trial. It ends when racism in america finally dissolves. #Ferguson #JusticeForMikeBrown
— Morgan Levy (@RBF_Reporter) November 25, 2014
This case isn't about a black man being shot by a white officer, it's about a race of people living in a society where they are expendable.
— Garrett deGraff (@Garrettdeg) November 25, 2014
None of us are free until all of us are free. Stand with Ferguson. Don't forget Michael Brown.
— Allison ✨ (@wendla_b3rgmann) November 25, 2014
— Camryn Garrett (@dancingofpens) November 25, 2014
"America is not everything that it could be. I'm confident that we can make progress." literally yes
— KAMI BAKER (@Peeta_is_aBAKER) November 25, 2014
This isn't the end, nor is it the beginning. Our country's been like this for centuries. White politics have always won against black folks.
— Leo Sheng (@iLeoSheng) November 25, 2014
The fact the people even have to TWEET #BlackLivesMatter is upsetting. It's already implied for white people. No one questions it.
— Camryn Garrett (@dancingofpens) November 25, 2014
If you think about it. My generation is growing up in the social equivalent of the 1960s, social rights history is being made as I type
— JBird (@JShearrow) November 25, 2014
I am not worth more than my friends of color because my parents are white.
— Jackson Barnett (@jacksonbarnett) November 25, 2014
"Opened old wounds." The black community has been bleeding for hundreds of years.
— Garrett deGraff (@Garrettdeg) November 25, 2014
For me the hardest part about becoming an adult is realizing that the world is not a fair place. It has been the hardest lesson.
— Jessica R. Williams (@msjwilly) November 25, 2014
Am I'm still expected to stand up and say the pledge tomorrow? When it clearly doesn't apply to everyone? #Ferguson
— Camryn Garrett (@dancingofpens) November 25, 2014
Dear America,
I hope these images forever haunt us as a reminder of the progress that always needs to be made. pic.twitter.com/SUWeLOsC86
— Isabel Song (@IsabelSong) November 25, 2014
A murder isn't even going to trial. We have so much to fix in this country. BLACK LIVES MATTER. #FergusonDecision
— Tyler Oakley (@tyleroakley) November 25, 2014
And in the end, we look to our future.
I don't want to leave America-I want to grow up and make a difference.
— Jillian K. (@JillGeeRAWRd) November 25, 2014
Have hope for a brighter tomorrow, through hard work, we can achieve great progress.
— Garrett deGraff (@Garrettdeg) November 25, 2014
Basically all I want to tell you people is to stay informed and to stay aware and to stay awake in this world
— KAMI BAKER (@Peeta_is_aBAKER) November 25, 2014
“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.”
― Martin Luther King Jr
— HauntedSunshineGirl (@hauntedsunshine) November 25, 2014
This generation, OUR GENERATION, needs to change this. We see all this injustice; it's been our entire lives. We have to change it.
— Jillian K. (@JillGeeRAWRd) November 25, 2014
There is goodness in the world and I'm telling you we have to fight for it every single day
— KAMI BAKER (@Peeta_is_aBAKER) November 25, 2014
I’m left with one conclusion. I have to believe that our generation will be better. We have no other choice and no other way to move forward. It will not be easy, nor will it happen quickly, but it is the fight worth fighting. Rage against the civil injustices that continue to plague America.
And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
–Dylan Thomas, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (final stanza)
Source –
30 Powerful Reactions to the Ferguson Decision From Teens and Young Adults