In August of 2014, riots broke out in the city of Ferguson after the killing of Michael Brown. Brown, an African-American, was shot and killed by a white police officer, Darren Wilson. Later, Wilson was not indicted for the shooting. This killing sparked many protests around the world and brought up many racial and social injustices evident in society today. Violent protests tore apart many buildings and businesses in Ferguson and surrounding areas while many peaceful protests happened all over the nation. These protests, peaceful and violent, brought up the idea of changing ways in order to better society.

¨I feel like in a way it has made our community stronger,” senior and resident of Ferguson Becca Pendleton said. ¨When I drive through the streets and see the boarded up buildings that were looted and destroyed it reminds the people of Ferguson that we got through the tragic incident and that all we can do now is keep building our community back up.¨

The Ferguson Police Department has undergone changes since the protests and riots. An investigation showed racial bias among the people arrested by the mostly white police force. Since then more African-American people have been put into a position of power in the local government including city council members. Officers have since been given body cameras to wear while on duty after alleged police brutality cases.

“Last August when the issue first happened, a lot of people were saying it was Michael Brown’s fault and cops would never blatantly kill someone like a criminal,” sophomore Anna Reavey said, “Now that many corruptions in the police force like brutality towards innocent people have surfaced, many have began to voice their opinions.”

Police brutality has become a common topic of discussion today. The case involving Brown and Wilson shed a new light on police brutality and now more cases of police brutality are appearing more frequently. Many are pushing for change to avoid these issues.

“The non-local customers didn’t come back as often and we got hit a couple times,” sophomore Bon Jang said, who’s family member owns a business in Ferguson. “People are less friendly and there are more police around.”

The local economy has also changed and continues to change after the string of protests in 2014. Many businesses were put into financial trouble after protesters looted and stole from different local shops. Some local businesses received funding from groups dedicated to helping local business and were able to keep doors open to customers. There were still businesses forced to close due to the major financial problems they faced.

“I think now we’re all just more mindful in terms of race relationships,” world and U.S. history teacher Sue Clark said.