The tension between the black and white communities in Ferguson, Missouri continues to grow as Officer Darren Wilson proceeds through trial for the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9^th. Officer Wilson, a white police officer, reportedly shot Brown, an unarmed African American, after a physical struggle between the two broke out near Wilson’s police cruiser, according to CNN. Some reports say that Wilson began the confrontation and continued to fire at Brown although he had stepped away from the scene with his hands in the air. Other reports from Fox news claim that Brown had taunted and physically attacked Wilson, causing him to shoot his firearm in self-defense. Many news reports, including those from CNN and Fox, claim that Brown was shot five to ten times, although no number has been absolutely confirmed. St. Louis Country Police Chief Jon Belmar stated there were “more than just a couple” shots fired.

The predominantly white police force in Ferguson and the surrounding county has received harsh criticism and retaliation from the community, much of which is African American. Riots broke out in Ferguson as the community expressed their anger towards what they believe was a hate crime by Officer Wilson. An already racially split community continues to grow increasingly separate as the Ferguson case develops. This case is but an example of the racial split seen in the U.S. even decades after the Civil Rights Movement.

An outsider in this case does not see an officer that shot a man. Instead they see a white adult male who opened fire on a young, unarmed African American. The distinction between white and black has turned this case into less of a matter of justice and more of a matter of finding the racism beneath the fatal confrontation.

The evidence against Wilson is undeniable; five to ten bullets in an unarmed man is unnecessary and unacceptable. However, the evidence against Brown cannot be ignored. Officer Wilson, as well as other sources, claimed to have been physically intimidated and assaulted by Brown, which is said to have led to the shoot-out. Wilson, a smaller white man, may have felt threatened by Brown, who was a sizable, strong young man. The panic and confusion of a confrontation could have led to the use of the firearm, although the shots should have ceased once Brown had surrendered. Whether or not Wilson intentionally murdered Brown in hatred or accidently opened fire in panic, the public will never know.

Regardless, the struggle between the black and white communities is one that can only be solved by both parties. Hate crimes should not be committed if the country wishes to ultimately find peace between races. However, the African American community cannot openly assume that all assaults made by the white community are hate crimes. This assumption is discriminating in itself. Although it is true that African Americans have been oppressed far more than white males, it does not justify the assumption that every crime is a hate crime. Every case must be looked at justly and fairly if we can say that all are innocent until proven guilty.