Account for and comments on possible causes
In the following section, we have highlighted some important points for answering the first part of the exam question. We have written some ideas about each source that are useful when dealing with the topic of possible causes of the Ferguson riots.
All four sources cover the topic of the Police Shootings in Ferguson, Missouri but in different ways. While the video material provides facts and information connected with the events, the newspaper articles are commentaries and thus present both the authors’ opinions on the causes of the Ferguson riots, and some possible solutions to the complex issues surrounding them.…
...
Elijah Anderson’s article
Elijah Anderson’s article uses a fairly objective tone when analyzing the events with an accessible language to all types of readers:
“The eruption of protests and violence has been a long time coming” (l. 5).
However, the arguments are emphasized through strong words and a critical tone with regards to America’s treatment of black communities:
“America has continued to isolate poor black people in economically depressed neighborhoods under increasingly oppressive police tactics that breed distrust and hostility.” (ll. 6-8)
His approach is also theoretical, debating theories like the “broken-window”, which he expla…
...
Ishmael Sistrunk’s article
By comparison, Ishmael Sistrunk’s article adopts a very personal perspective, resorting to private accounts that validate his arguments.
As a member of the black community in the North County, the author appeals to the public by sharing his personal experiences with police officers. He talks about being pulled over numerous times by officers for no real reasons:
“Between the ages of 16 and 25, I’m certain that I was pulled over more than 50 times. There were a handful of …
...
Input for comments
When writing your paper, you should consider the different opinions and decide what you think about the topic. In this instance, you could for example ask yourself the following question…
