Abstract

This Article discusses the August 2014 fatal shooting of Michael Brown and the April 2015 death of Freddie Gray in the context of a larger national problem: high frequencies of police brutalization towards ethnic- and racial-minority individuals. The Article proposes two broad solutions to combat the pervasive police brutality and the riots that follow these heinous incidences. As a long-term solution, this Article proposes that all Americans be included in society by way of earning a living income and maintaining a certain standard of living, which necessarily involves affordable housing and quality education. As a more short-term solution to mitigate the negative effects of post-shooting rioting, this Article suggests the facts of the case be presented in a neutral light that both seeks truth and recognizes the feelings of the family and the community.

Keywords: Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Ferguson, police brutality