Mike Brown’s Blood

Mike Brown’s Blood August 29, 2014

When Rev. Traci Blackmon picked me up from St. Louis International Airport last week, she was in a state of exhaustion that allowed her to be little more than present. A hospitable local clergywoman, she had been working on the front lines of the Ferguson demonstrations, organizing several of the local rallies demanding justice. I could see why she was one of the most respected pastors in the area. She told me how she had been establishing safe havens and healing circles in churches for those too traumatized to march among the armored vehicles that lined the streets. Much of her work was behind the scenes, coordinating efforts between property owners, politicians, and police officers for long-term solutions to the war zone that Ferguson had become.

She had also been challenging newcomers.

“The question I’ve been asking people is ‘Why are you here?’” she told me, clearly extending the question to me as well.

My answer was simple. I was in Ferguson because I felt an irresistible call from the Spirit to go; I could not not be there; I was there because Mike Brown felt like my distant relative and a kind of gatekeeper of my children’s fate if nothing changes. But my answer to her second question was much harder to find.

“What’s the difference between Mike Brown’s murder,” she asked, “and any of the other murders of unarmed black people at the hands of police? Why is his murder causing this kind of response?”


“What’s the difference between Mike Brown’s murder,” she asked, “and any of the other murders of unarmed black people at the hands of police? Why is his murder causing this kind of response?” I was a bit stumped. I wondered if it had to do with the unique makeup of the Black community in St. Louis. Maybe this time the police had done wrong to people who had simply had enough. Perhaps their fiery courage was enough to kindle the world’s courage.

“I think it’s the blood,” she answered for me. “They left him lying on that street for four hours. Everyone was forced to absorb it.”

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