Ferguson Missouri Blog

Directions:  Follow the fact gathering and media analysis steps.  Answer the essential question in at least one fully written paragraph, using specific evidence and  fully explained reasons to support your stance on the topic. 

Essential Question:  Should the Grand Jury have indicted Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of  Michael Brown?
    Possible Questions to consider when answering the Essential Question: 

1. What role does race or race relations play in this situation?  Should race have a significant role in this situation why or why not?  
2. How are police viewed in American society, and how do you think they should be viewed? 
   
3. Are the protests justified?  Are violent protests justified?  
4. Should Officer Ferguson's indictment be based on moral or legal reasons (explain your answer)?  
   

Fact Gathering:  What actually happened in Ferguson Missouri this past August?  Identify as many facts as you can find on what happened between Officer Wilson and Michael Brown.  For example:  What did Brown do? What did Officer Wilson do?  What did eye-witness accounts say and how do they differ?  Be sure to identify your sources (which websites did you gather your facts from?).   

Media Analysis:  Find at least three different news sites and analyze how they cover the events in Ferguson Missouri today.  Use the following questions to guide you:  What is the headline in the news site?  What images are being presented on the site?  Are the news sites emphasizing different aspects of the situation in Ferguson (if so explain what and how)?     

***Extra points will be awarded to students who respond to other student posts.***