Reporters at St. Louis Public Radio interviewed more than 20 people for this project. Some spoke to us alone, others alongside friends and family. All were directly touched by the inequalities that #Ferguson’s eruption showcased to the world. Several themes emerged during the interviews. Those themes became the chapters of this project.
Our goal was to allow the people we interviewed to speak for themselves, giving their thoughts, observations, fears and hopes with minimal editing or interjections. We thank them for their time, honesty and trust.
To support work like this at St. Louis Public Radio:
Seven chapters weren’t enough. Rather than cut reflections that didn’t fit neatly into our chapter themes, we created this extra chapter that, we feel, is well worth a listen.
Listen
Aziza Binti
Filmmaker and public speaker
Chapter 1: Where Were You When…?
That's somebody's child
Viewed
Chapter 2: Experiences With Police
A car full of old women
Viewed
Chapter 5: What Has Changed?
It just seemed so distant
Viewed
Chapter 6: Hopes For #Ferguson
What's happening to the education
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
He was a big brother to them
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
Blackity black black extra black
Viewed
Shalon Gates
Ferguson resident, educator
Chapter 1: Where Were You When…?
That could be my son
Viewed
Chapter 3: ‘The Talk’
Just a way of life
Viewed
Chapter 4: Living In Ferguson
We always felt safe
Viewed
Chapter 4: Living In Ferguson
Mom, why did people burn buildings?
Viewed
Chapter 4: Living In Ferguson
A perfect home for us
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
We talk a lot about choices
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Macc Walker
Ferguson resident, retail worker
Chapter 1: Where Were You When…?
You couldn't get to your house
Viewed
Chapter 2: Experiences With Police
Because of my hair
Viewed
Chapter 4: Living In Ferguson
Stay here and ride it out
Viewed
Chapter 6: Hopes For #Ferguson
It's not about just Ferguson
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
Come together for one cause
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Chapter 8: More Reflections
You misjudge us
Viewed
Rianna Curtain
Student
Chapter 1: Where Were You When…?
History was repeating itself
Viewed
Chapter 2: Experiences With Police
Look innocent
Viewed
Chapter 5: What Has Changed?
Everything's the same
Viewed
Chapter 6: Hopes For #Ferguson
That's my perfect world
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
Shot seven times
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
Feel through your feelings
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Chapter 8: More Reflections
Everywhere you go
Viewed
Pamela Powell
Ferguson resident, county courts staff
Daniel Isom
Former St. Louis Police Chief
Chapter 1: Where Were You When…?
Not just an ordinary incident
Viewed
Chapter 2: Experiences With Police
Everyone wants to go home safe
Viewed
Chapter 3: ‘The Talk’
Yes, sir. No, sir.
Viewed
Chapter 5: What Has Changed?
Some significant changes
Viewed
Chapter 6: Hopes For #Ferguson
A bigger piece of pie
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Chapter 8: More Reflections
A different way
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Chapter 8: More Reflections
The newer generation
Viewed
Kayvion Calvert
Student
Chapter 1: Where Were You When…?
That could've been me
Viewed
Chapter 5: What Has Changed?
Everything's the same
Viewed
Chapter 6: Hopes For #Ferguson
Policing their own communities
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
Shot seven times
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
Feel through your feelings
Viewed
Chapter 8: More Reflections
Everywhere you go
Viewed
Christopher McNeil
Educator
The Rev. Traci Blackmon
Faith leader
Chapter 1: Where Were You When…?
Hundreds of young people
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Chapter 2: Experiences With Police
That's just what our girls do
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Chapter 3: ‘The Talk’
How to survive a system
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Chapter 5: What Has Changed?
How much ground the church lost
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Chapter 6: Hopes For #Ferguson
My hope...
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Chapter 8: More Reflections
The pain was palpable
Viewed
Brittini Gray
Organizer and healer
Chapter 3: ‘The Talk’
A disservice to our children
Viewed
Chapter 5: What Has Changed?
Operating within the system
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Chapter 5: What Has Changed?
Burnout
Viewed
Chapter 6: Hopes For #Ferguson
Support for our youth
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Chapter 8: More Reflections
Capacity for love
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Chapter 8: More Reflections
Not sufficient to say 'death'
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Chapter 8: More Reflections
Complicit and complacent
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Halbert Gates
Ferguson resident, engineer
Chapter 3: ‘The Talk’
Just a way of life
Viewed
Chapter 4: Living In Ferguson
We always felt safe
Viewed
Chapter 4: Living In Ferguson
Mom, why did people burn buildings?
Viewed
Chapter 4: Living In Ferguson
A perfect home for us
Viewed
Chapter 6: Hopes For #Ferguson
Businesses bring the residents
Viewed
Jamie Dennis
Program Director, Save our Sons
Michael Brown Sr.
Father of Michael Brown Jr.
Marissanne Lewis-Thompson
Andrea Y. Henderson
Chad Davis
Jeremy D. Goodwin
Nancy Fowler
Carolina Hidalgo
David Kovaluk
Brian Heffernan
Shula Neuman
David Kovaluk
Maria Altman
David Cazares
Fred Ehrlich
Holly Edgell
MacK Korris
Bob Cronin
Kae Petrin
Lindsay Toler
Brent Jones
Alex Rice
