What Is The Similarities Between The Fergusson Riots And The Civil Rights Movement

The Fergusson riots refers to the civil unrest experienced in the state of Missouri in response to the alleged police killing of unarmed black teenager, (Kennedy & Schuessler , 2014). On the other hand, the Civil Rights are refer to a period in American history when a social movement arose calling for recognition and protection of human rights after the civil war (Kennedy & Schuessler , 2014).

Though separated by a gulf of time both incidents have served to evoke strong racial sentiments. In both the issue of racial discrimination and the disenfranchisement of the black ‘man’ are core. While the Civil Movement era was fighting against entrenched racial segregation policy the Fergusson riots are a response to perceived police profiling and excessive force against blacks. There also exists similar embracing of non-violent protest by both groups including placards and T-shirt messages. Police use of intimidation technique in attempting to control the crowds transcend the times. While in the Civil Rights era the police used dogs, todays police have gone hi-tech. use of rifles, water cannon and teargas achieved similar ends.

While the similarities abound aplenty so do the differences.

The use of social media to shape social perceptions and police response is a stand out difference. While such technological developments are recent they have been key to the Fergusson riots as police attempt to exude restraint. The organization of both movement is also dissimilar. While in 1950s society was united in calling for an end to racial discrimination, in Fergusson the views are split. One gets the feeling that the police use excessive force across the board, not only to blacks. Coupled with the apparent predominantly white police force in a black majority township the ugly theme of race rears

up.
Personally, participation in the civil disobedience efforts would be as an effort to call for the demilitarization of the police force and to uphold human dignity. Irrespective of circumstances there can exist no reason to shoot an unarmed person.
In a period of 14 years, the drop in auto theft by 96 percent (Barro, 2014), begs one to take a closer look at the cause. The technological developments seem to be the key as technology has made auto theft difficult, less profitable and increased chances of arrest (Barro, 2014). Use of engine immobilizers has literally killed auto theft of modern models. As most criminals are unable to counterfeit ignition keys newer model cars are safe, leaving only old cars vulnerable to theft. This is pinpointed by taking a look at the patterns of thefts. Overwhelming majority of the thefts occur to cars without immobilizer, leaving criminals to steal a narrowing pool of cars.
Reduction in value of old cars has further eroded gains, if any existed, for stealing cars. Since most cars are typically stolen for their parts, old cars part are less valuable. Selling them to scrapyards has increasingly become difficult to carry out. As one has to submit a photo during sale, police are able to apprehend the culprit after identifying stolen cars.
Reduced thefts have freed police to go after organized gangs that have the capability for counterfeiting ignition keys. This further helps to reduce car theft as the people with the potential to cart away newer models find themselves behind bars for longer. While the reliability of older cars remains the major reason for thefts, eventually such cars will become too aged to be worth the attendant risks (Barro, 2014).