Unfortunately, the group that fits the description in the title appears to be “almost everyone.”

I. The Michael Brown Side.

• Brown was young. He had his life ahead of him. It is tragic that he died.
•  Whatever he did, it would not warrant a death sentence in the justice system.
• He was shot dead, and he did not have a gun or a weapon on him.
• He was black, shot by a white officer, in a town where African-Americans, for a variety of reasons, do not feel respected, believe they are often harassed, and feel subject to racial discrimination.
• Brown was shot at multiple times. The average individual can see no reason why that would be necessary.
• Eyewitnesses report that at the time of the fatal shooting, Brown posed no threat to the officer that would justify the use of deadly force.
• Important, powerful, respected African-American officials and leaders trusted by the majority of black Americans have stated that that racism is rampant in U.S. society generally, and the justice system specifically.
• Brown’s body was left lying in the street for hours, in what seemed to be a gesture of disrespect.

The items above do not include the many cynical, dishonesty, manipulative interpretations of the event and false or deceitful assertions that have been used by activists, journalists, advocates and politicians to distort public perception. Bill Maher, for example, flatly says that Brown was murdered. That is not a fact, and no one who didn’t witness the shooting is justified in stating that it is a fact. Continue reading →