By Aja Cooper, Staff Writer

Published Aug. 27, 2014

I remember growing up and hearing the inspiring stories of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement.

The marches, protests, and practicing of civil disobedience so that the world could become aware of the changes that needed to take place both captured my imagination and inspired me to dream larger than I ever had before.

Sadly, all of the great accomplishments of the African-American community’s push for equality have been called into question over the last week as Michael Brown, an unarmed 18 year-old kid was shot and killed by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

The explanations of the shooting appear to be so tangled that Disney’s Rapunzel would be frustrated. 

Dorian Johnson, an eye witness and close friend of Brown, told officials that his friend was an innocent victim gunned down by Darren Wilson, the officer in question, for no apparent reason.

Johnson’s story, however, has not been accepted by everyone and is currently competing with multiple other eyewitness accounts that vary significantly.

As a result, many citizens have participated in protests in Ferguson with the goal of bringing justice for Michael Brown.

This situation, to me, is very similar to the events that sparked the Civil Rights Movement. 

With that being said, it’s becoming hard to separate the past from the present since the events are mirror images of one another.

The large crowds in Ferguson, police officials taking extreme measures that resemble that of an occupying military force, police dogs, and the releasing of tear gas in the hope of causing people to disperse from the area they were protesting.

It’s heartbreaking to think that we, Americans in 2014, still have to be concerned with tragedies and poor race relations that divide people, communities and government institutions.

I’d like to believe that racism is nothing, but a fading memory of the past. 

These last couple of weeks, however, have led me to believe that it is still very much alive.

How does one justify the murders of young, unarmed, African American men such as Emmett Till, Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and others whose stories were not as widely publicized?

Now, let me be clear, I am not saying that race is the underlying factor in every situation. 

Yet, I find it undeniable that race often plays a silent and deadly role regarding public reactions and stereotypes.

And it should be noted that the looting and violence taking place in Ferguson during a time such as this isn’t helping society progress.

In fact, it actually creates more tension and prevents authorities from hearing the messages citizens are trying to convey. 

This, unfortunately, results in an even more dangerous environment for those trying to peacefully voice their grievances.

These peaceful demonstrations are beautiful expressions of disappointment and should be embraced on every college campus across the country.

Luckily for our campus, a rally took place on the EUC lawn this past Tuesday, August 26th.

The members of the Pi Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will be one of the many groups in attendance on Tuesday evening.

Their presence is very key, since the national chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity will be covering all costs of Michael Brown’s memorial and funeral services.

UNCG senior and Pi Zeta Chapter president, Jordan Jones stated that he and the chapter were happy to hear that their national headquarters decided to take over the financial responsibilities Michael Brown’s family will face in laying their loved one to rest.

“This kind act demonstrates our motto, ‘First of all, Servants of all, We shall transcend all.’ We will be participating in the rally Tuesday, because we need the community to know that we are at the forefront with them, demanding change for the better,” said Jones.

Hopefully, for all of us, Michael Brown’s sad death will prove to be a rallying call for future action regarding civil rights.