I feel a littlebittybit intimidated by this discussion. You Kids obviously all have earned a Doctorate in Sociology, and I just have a B.S. The main difference between a BS and a BA in Sociology is the difference between dissecting a cat in Biology Lab, and sort-of learning Spanish. Plus, I am full of B.S. Which did you do? Discuss amongst yourselves. One thing I noticed is, that the Establishment in Ferguson is all white, while the citizenry is 70% black. I figure there is resentment and contempt for authority because of some (perceived)negative effects from it. I can understand why, in a relatively high-crime area, the law enforcement personnel might become jaded and callused. However, if it were the other way around--black domination, white majority citizen base--and tough cops--the whites might not be comfortable with that, either. Meanwhile, in areas like where I live that don't begin to have this type of situation, the good citizens harshly condemn the "ghetto behavior". Yet, this community which is 94% Caucasian, has had a number of people shot by police through the years, and though some were questionable, they were all cleared as justified! No demonstrations, no backlash----and no reform! Seems like one characteristic value of the Southern USA Bible Belt is to Respect Authority--almost to a fault. Years ago(1960's-70's, there was a Sheriff in the next county who was notorious for "Kinging" young guys he caught while on patrol. Just beat the heck out of them with his flashlight, and let them go. He lost the election, but ran again and was re-elected. Never got in trouble for it, and lived well into old age.
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