Steve Mensing, Editor
♦ All yesterday I fielded calls from friends in Salisbury and Rowan County. Like many persons across the United States they were curious about what might happen in Ferguson, Mo. Would there be violence? I responded that I thought so. All the seeds were present in Ferguson if an indictment did not come down against Officer Darren Wilson. From what I saw several factors were at play capable of spawning violence that city:
• Individuals who do not know how to express their anger in constructive ways and resort to violence.
• Persons because of personal histories and experience with some in law enforcement have learned not to trust them.
• Folks who jump-to-conclusions about others’ culpability without having thoroughly examined a case’s evidence.
• The presence of organized groups who desire to foment disturbances. (Several folks on TV said they desired to set off the “revolution”)
• “Christmas in July” individuals who look for looting opportunities.
Are there any persons living in Salisbury who fit the above descriptions? I suspect some folks fit the descriptions except for organized groups to foment disturbances.
So do I think a spillover from Ferguson could happen here? Likely not.
I’m sure some persons in Salisbury strongly identify with what occurred Ferguson, but whether they would support violence is another matter.
Unforgettable Video: Heartbroken Michael Brown’s Mom Reacts to Ferguson Verdict:
