,LOOT+ ,BACK 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,CRIME?,9C4 

,TEXT 3 

,PREFACE 

  

,FIVE YE>S AGO TODAY1 POLICE (FIC] ,D>R5 ,WILSON MURD]$ ,MI*AEL ,BR[N1 A BLACK TE5AG]1 9 ,F]GUSON1 ,MISS\RI4 ,POLICE (FIC]S KILL Y\NG BLACK M5 EV]Y DAY 9 ! ,UNIT$ ,/ATES1 BUT ?AT DAY1 PEOPLE ROSE UP TO POLICE & :ITE SUPREMACY4 ,IT'S IMPORTANT TO REVISIT ! ,F]GUSON UPRIS+ TODAY1 TO TRY TO DI/+UI% BETWE5 ! EV5TS AS !Y OCCURR$ & ! WAYS !Y W]E MY?OLOGIZ$ AFT]W>DS1 & TO 9QUIRE AB\T :AT !Y /ILL HAVE TO TEA* US4 

,TO OBS]VE ?IS ANNIV]S>Y1 WE >E PUBLI%+ ! COMPLETE DI>Y ( AN AN>*I/ FROM ,/4 ,L\IS :O P>TICIPAT$ 9 MO/ ( ! MAJOR EV5TS ( ! UPRIS+4 ,?IS IS A VALUABLE HI/ORICAL DOCUM5T ILLU/RAT+ ! CONTRADICTIONS & T5SIONS )9 ! MOVEM5T FROM ! \TSET & POS+ IMPORTANT QUE/IONS AB\T :AT IT MEANS TO ACT 9 SOLID>ITY4 

,!RE >E C\NTLESS P]SPECTIVES FROM ! /RUGGLES ?AT EM]G$ 9 ,F]GUSON4 ,9 ! FUTURE1 WE HOPE TO PUBLI% O!R ACC\NTS1 FROM O!R VANTAGE PO9TS4 ,ALSO1 BE W>N$ ?AT ?IS TEXT 9CLUDES A TREM5D\S AM\NT ( VIOL5CE & TRAG$Y4 

,9 ONE PASSAGE1 ! AU?OR DESCRIBES A H>R[+ SC5E ON ,AUGU/ #af 9 :I* A FRI5D WAS HIT BY /RAY GUN%OTS4 ,! TEXT DOES NOT DESCRIBE :AT HAPP5$ TO ! FRI5D AFT]W>DS1 SO WE WILL DO SO H]E4 ,= DAYS1 A BULLET REMA9$ LODG$ 9 HIS HE>T AS HE LAY 9 ! HOSPITAL ON LIFE SUPPORT AT ! ?RE%OLD ( DEA?4 ,MIRACUL\SLY1 HE SURVIV$4 ,HE [ES HIS LIFE1 9 P>T1 TO ! C\RAGE & G5]OSITY ( /RANG]S :O HELP$ TO MAKE SURE HE REA*$ ! HOSPITAL1 AS WELL AS TO ALL ! FRI5DS :O SUPPORT$ HIM ?R\< ! >DU\S RECOV]Y PROCESS4 

,O!RS W]E NOT SO =TUNATE4 ,SIX PEOPLE :O PLAY$ AN ACTIVE ROLE 9 ! UPRIS+ HAVE PASS$ AWAY 9 ! FIVE YE>S S9CE ,MI*AEL ,BR[N WAS MURD]$4 ,DE&RE ,JO%UA & ,D>R5 ,SEALS W]E BO? F\ND %OT 9SIDE ( BURN$ C>S4 ,M>,%AWN ,MC,C>REL %OT HIMSELF \TSIDE ! FRONT DOOR ( ! ,OHIO ,/ATE ,H\SE4 ,$W>D ,CRAW=D1 ,JR41 MADE FAM\S BY A PHOTOGRAPH %[+ HIM LOBB+ A TE> GAS CANI/] BACK AT ! POLICE :O %OT IT1 COMMITT$ SUICIDE4 ,DANYE ,JONES WAS F\ND HANG+ FROM A TREE 9 HIS BACKY>D4 ,BASSEM ,MASRI1 A ,PALE/9IAN ,AM]ICAN1 IS ! ONLY ONE AMONG ! DEAD :O WAS NOT A Y\NG BLACK MAN4 

,SOME ( !SE DEA?S TOOK PLACE UND] SUSPICI\S CIRCUM/ANCES1 BUT !RE IS NO NE$ TO SEEK A SECRETIVE CONSPIRACY4 ,! CONSPIRACY IS \T 9 ! OP53 IT IS ! ALL-TOO-FAMILI> WORK+S ( A SOCIETY ?AT DEHUMANIZES1 IMPOV]I%ES1 9C>C]ATES1 & KILLS Y\? ( COLOR BY A WIDE V>IETY ( 9T]LOCK+ ME*ANISMS4 ,WE REMEMB] !SE SIX PEOPLE NOT AS VICTIMS1 BUT AS FI<T]S :O JO9$ HUNDR$S ( O!R PEOPLE ( ALL AGES1 G5D]S1 & E?NICITIES 9 MAK+ IT POSSIBLE TO RECOGNIZE ?IS AS ! TRAG$Y ?AT IT IS & BEG9 TO TAKE ACTION TO *ANGE IT4 

,! /RUGGLE CONT9UES4 

 ,LOOT+ ,BACK3 ,AN ,ACC\NT ( ! ,F]GUSON UPRIS+ 

  

,! WORLD IS FIRE3 A SUN1 HOT1 ELUSIVE1 EXPLOD+ & YET CON/ANT AT ! SAME TIME4 

,! WORLD IS WAT]3 C>V+ MILLIONS ( PA?WAYS ?R\< ! L& & \R BODIES1 DI/9CT & SUBTLE1 CONV]G+ & DIV]G+4 

,CONF\ND+ ALL ALGORI?MS1 IT VIOLATES ALL COMM&M5TS1 MORALITIES1 & RELIGIONS1 CONTRADICTS ALL POLITICAL IDEOLOGY1 & CON/ANTLY DEFIES DESCRIPTION4 

 ,F]GUSON 

  

,CONV]SATIONS BL5D$ TOGE!R4 ,/RESS WAS MORE ?AN A FEEL+2 IT WAS BULLETS RIPP+ ?R\< SOMEONE'S PRECI\S BODY1 A VIGIL1 GUNFIRE1 FLAMES1 POLICE1 A RIOT1 TE> GAS1 A MOB1 AN >GUM5T1 RACIAL T5SION1 & A PREEXI/+ 9T]P]SONAL PROBLEM1 ALL ( IT BOIL+ OV] AT ONCE4 

,WE LIV$ MOM5T TO MOM5T ?R\< ?OSE TIMES4 ,BY DAY1 WE TOOK OV] ! /REETS 9 WAYS WE HAD ?\<T IMPOSSIBLE4 ,AT NI<T1 WE LOBB$ BACK TE> GAS CANI/]S1 ?REW ROCKS1 F\<T (F POLICE & ! ACTIVI/S :O ATTEMPT$ TO CONTROL US4 ,AT TIMES1 ! COPS1 ! PREA*]S1 & ! ACTIVI/S LO/ ALL AU?ORITY OV] :AT WAS GO+ ON2 ?AT WAS :AT OP5$ ! WAY TO SOME?+ BIGG]4 ,IT WAS A *ANCE TO CONFRONT ALL ! PEOPLE & SY/EMS ?AT MA9TA9 A /RANGLEHOLD ON ! WORLD4 

,IT WAS ALL SO %ORT1 BUT IT W5T ON LONG 5\< TO BURN DEEP SC>S 9 ME & 9 SO MANY O!RS4 ,!SE >E BO? A CURSE & A BLESS+4 

,! PEOPLE :O FILL$ ! /REETS ( ,WE/ ,FLORISSANT1 ,S\? ,FLORISSANT1 & ,CANFIELD AFT] ,MIKE ,BR[N WAS MURD]$ W]E DRIV5 BY TOO MANY DIFF]5T MOTIVATIONS TO SUMM>IZE4 ,WE CAME \T = ,MIKE ,BR[N1 = \RSELVES1 = A WORLD )\T POLICE & RACISM1 = & AGA9/ 0:IT5ESS0 OR 0BLACKNESS10 = FRE$OM1 = RE=M OR REVOLUTION1 = ! RIOT & ! LOOT1 = ! HELL ( IT4 ,IT ALL DEP5D$ ON :O Y\ ASK$4 

,:AT FOLL[S >E MY OBS]VATIONS ( ! EV5TS & ! DYNAMICS AT PLAY DUR+ ! UPRIS+4 ,MU* ( ?IS IS D]IV$ FROM P]SONAL EXP]I5CES DUR+ ! FIR/ WEEK & A HALF AFT] ! MURD] ( ,MIKE ,BR[N 9 ,AUGU/ #b#a#d4 ,I REC\NT MY P>TICIPATION 9 ! REBELLION FROM MY VANTAGE PO9T1 9CLUD+ MY :ITE RACIAL COD+ & MY AN>*I/ COMMITM5TS4 ,)\T A D\BT1 !RE >E DIFF]5CES 9 P]SPECTIVE & LIV$ EXP]I5CE ?AT DI/+UI% ME FROM MANY ( ?OSE ,I MET--BUT !RE W]E ALSO MANY ?+S ?AT CONNECT$ US ACROSS RACE & EXP]I5CE4 ,9 MANY WAYS1 \R LIVES EXCE$ ! CONF9ES ( RACIALIZATION & POLITICAL ID5TITY4 ,9 O!R WAYS1 !Y DON'T1 & MANY BELIEVE SO F]V5TLY 9 ?OSE CATEGORIES ?AT !Y WILL USE VIOL5CE TO 5=CE !M4 

,?R\<\T HI/ORY1 PEOPLE HAVE RESPOND$ 9 A V>IETY ( WAYS TO DIFF]5T =MS ( CONTROL & DOM9ATION--TO COLONIZATION1 RACIALIZATION1 SLAV]Y1 & MORE4 ,SOME RESPOND BY MAK+ PEACE ) !IR OPPRESSORS & COOP]AT+ ) !M4 ,O!RS HIDE 9 ! HILLS1 MAK+ !MSELVES 9ACCESSIBLE TO ?OSE :O SEEK TO ASSIMILATE OR 5?RALL$ !M4 ,O!RS RESI/1 COLLECTIVELY OR 9DIVIDUALLY4 ,! PO9T IS TO FIGURE \T :AT Y\ WANT TO DO & F9D O!RS :O >E DO+ ! SAME4 ,PEOPLE :O EXP]I5CE ! SAME =M ( OPPRESSION WILL NOT NECESS>ILY REACT ! SAME WAY4 

,I %>$ A MULTITUDE ( 5EMIES & /RUGGLES 9 COMMON ) MANY ( ! PEOPLE ,I MET4 ,H[EV]1 \R EXP]I5CE ( !SE 5EMIES AS WELL AS \R PLACE 9 !SE /RUGGLES WAS (T5 V]Y DIFF]5T4 ,REPEAT$LY1 BLACK PEOPLE :O W]E UNAFRAID ( ! CONSEQU5CES ( ?R[+ D[N *OSE TO GO MU* FUR!R ?AN ,I DID4 

,MY EXP]I5CES ) ! POLICE & ! WORLD !Y 5=CE >E (T5 /RUCTUR$ DIFF]5TLY BECAUSE ,I AM DEF9$ BY P>T ( ?IS WORLD AS 0:ITE40 ,BUT ,I HAVE MY [N REASONS TO FI<T4 ,I DON'T ONLY WANT TO FI<T = FRE$OM = O!RS1 BUT = MYSELF AS WELL4 ,?IS P]SPECTIVE FEELS MORE G5U9E ?AN CLAIM+ TO FI<T = A L>GE RACIALIZ$ GR\P ( PEOPLE1 PEOPLE :O HAVE EQUALLY NUM]\S & POSSIBLY ANTAGONI/IC P]SPECTIVES ?AT ,I CAN'T SPEAK = OR HOMOG5IZE4 

 ,ON ! ,POLITICAL ,EXPLOITATION ( ,DEA? 

  

,IT'S EASI] = ACADEMICS1 POLITICIANS1 M$IA FIGURES1 & O!R DOM9ANT M\?PIECES TO SPEAK = ?OSE :O HAVE BE5 KILL$ PRECISELY BECAUSE !Y CANNOT SPEAK = !MSELVES4 ,AT ! SAME TIME1 ! CREATIVE WAYS ?AT ORD9>Y PEOPLE RESI/ 9 !IR DAILY LIVES >E NOT GIV5 MU* ATT5TION4 ,:5 ?IS DAILY RESI/ANCE BECOMES A MASS REBELLION1 ?OSE :O >E AFRAID ( LOS+ !IR P[] OR MONEY SEEK TO KILL IT4 ,9 AN UPRIS+1 PEOPLE COME ALIVE AGA9/ ! LIMITATIONS & SEP>ATIONS ?AT >E =C$ ON !M 9 !IR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES4 ,AN ESS5TIAL FUNCTION ( ! REPRESSION ( REBELLION IS TO 5=CE ! B\ND>IES ?AT KEEP ?+S ! WAY !Y >E4 

,MIKE ,BR[N'S NAME WAS US$ BO? TO DISP>AGE ! UPRIS+ & TO SUPPORT IT4 ,LOTS ( PEOPLE WANT$ TO SPEAK = HIM1 TO EXP& !IR PLAT=MS OR SUPPRESS O!RS' N>RATIVES4 ,9 DO+ SO1 !Y OBSCUR$ ! FACT ?AT PEOPLE FI<T = A DIV]SITY ( REASONS1 :E!R MOTIVAT$ BY P]SONAL EXP]I5CE1 OR FRU/RATION ) AU?ORITY OR OPPRESSION1 OR ! REALI/IC FE> ?AT :AT HAPP5$ TO ,MI*AEL ,BR[N C\LD EASILY HAPP5 TO !M OR !IR *ILDR54 ,WE DIDN'T NE$ TO KN[ ,MIKE ,BR[N TO KN[ ?AT :AT HAPP5$ TO HIM HAPP5S DAILY4 

,IT IS NOT ONLY ! POLICE :O KILL4 ,! POLICE >E JU/ ! LA/ L9E ( VIOL5CE & REPRESSION4 ,S*OOL1 FAMILY1 CAPITALISM1 ! *UR*1 & RACE ITSELF PRODUCE MO/ ( ! DAILY BATTLES ?AT PEOPLE FI<T LONG BE=E ! POLICE GET 9VOLV$4 ,(T51 ! POLICE 5T] ! SC5>IO :5 SOMEONE IS P]CEIV$ TO BE VIOLAT+ SOME K9D ( B>RI]4 

,! EXPLOITATION & MURD] ( BLACK & POOR PEOPLE BUILT ! F\NDATIONS ( MU* ( :AT IS CALL$ CIVILIZATION TODAY4 ,WE %\LD NOT =GET ?IS1 NOR ! PROLONG$ & P[]FUL RESI/ANCE TO IT4 ,?IS RESI/ANCE (T5 TAKES =MS ?AT >E NOT CONSID]$ P>T ( ! SORT ( 0FAIR & CIVIL DISC\RSE0 9 :I* WE TALK ?+S \T ) ?OSE :O OPPRESS US4 ,A CLASSIC EXAMPLE ( CIVILITY IS VOT+ = ?OSE :O OPPRESS Y\4 ,?OSE :O CONTROL ALL ! L& & CAPITAL W\LD PREF] ?AT WE DEBATE !M PEACEFULLY ?AN RANSACK ! WEAL? !Y HAVE--WEAL? !Y GA9$ FROM \R LABOR & ! LABOR ( PEOPLE LIKE US4 ,! PROPON5TS ( CIVILITY REMA9 ! GREATE/ SLAVE MA/]S 9 ! WORLD4 

,9 ,F]GUSON1 RESI/ANCE TO EXPLOITATION & MURD] TOOK AV5UES ?AT *ALL5G$ ! FALSE PEACE ( ! 0SOCIAL CONTRACT0 ( CIVIL SOCIETY1 ! SUPPOS$ AGREEM5T ?AT WE'RE ALL WILL+ TO LIVE PEACEFULLY TOGE!R 9 EX*ANGE = ! SUPPOS$ SECURITY & LIB]TY PROVID$ BY POLICE & O!R /ATE 9/ITUTIONS4 ,?IS CONTRACT WAS NOT CREAT$ = POOR PEOPLE1 BUT TO PROTECT ?OSE ) P[]1 CAPITAL1 & PROP]TY4 

 ,AUGU/ #i1 #bad 

  

,I AM AT ! OCEAN4 ,I DON'T KN[ H[ IT WORKS1 BUT SOMETIMES ! WAT] IS SO COLD & !N1 = SOME REASON1 IT'S W>M4 ,SOMETIMES ,I F9D POCKETS ( W>M?4 ,SOME?+ AB\T ! W9D BL[+ EI!R FROM ! OCEAN OR FROM ! L& HEATS ! WAT]1 OR SO ,I HE> FROM MY FAVORITE UNCLE4 ,TODAY WAS ONE ( ! W>M P]IODS4 

,/4 ,L\IS LIES ACROSS ! C\NTRY 9 ANO!R TIME ZONE4 ,I'M AVOID+ ! CITY1 LIKE ,I USUALLY DO 9 ! SUMM]4 ,!RE >E NO BEA*ES TO SWIM AT !RE1 REALLY NO WAT] TO SWIM 9 UNLESS Y\ WANT TO FE$ ! FLE%-EAT+ BACT]IA4 ,! AIR ITSELF IS TOXIC4 ,IF Y\ RIDE Y\R BIKE >\ND1 Y\'RE LIABLE TO 5C\NT] V>I\S HORRIBLE SMELLS FROM (F-GASS+ FACTORIES4 ,CANC] CALLS Y\R NAME4 ,NOT F> FROM MY HOME1 !RE IS A SMOLD]+ UND]GR\ND L&FILL FIRE ?AT IS HEAD+ T[>D A BURI$ CA*E ( URANIUM FROM ! ,MANHATTAN ,PROJECT4 

,IT'S H>D TO COMPREH5D ! OCEAN1 ?IS EXPANSE ( BO? NO?+NESS & VOLUPTU\S LIFE ?AT FL[S & EBBS RI<T 9 FRONT ( ME4 ,IT'S BEAUTIFUL & ,I CAN'T HELP BUT />E 9TO IT AS F> AS ,I CAN4 ,IT MAKES ME CONTEMPLATE :AT'S \T !RE & !N1 9EVITABLY1 WOND] AB\T MYSELF4 ,?IS WAT] HAS LIFE BEYOND MY IMAG9ATION4 ,! WAVES CRA% OV] & OV] UPON !MSELVES1 FE$+ ! NEXT ONE & ! NEXT ONE & ! NEXT ONE4 ,! WAT] NEV] TIRES4 

,WE GA!R \R ?+S & LEAVE ! BEA* = ! DAY4 ,AT MY AUNT'S H\SE1 ,I READ ! NEWS FROM HOME4 ,MIKE ,BR[N1 ANO!R BLACK KID1 HAS BE5 GUNN$ D[N BY POLICE4 ,MY M9D RACES ?R\< ! C\NTLESS PO/]S WE HAVE MADE & :EAT-PA/$ AB\T PEOPLE MURD]$ BY POLICE4 ,I ?9K AB\T ALL ! TIMES COPS HAVE FUCK$ ) ME1 >RE/$ ME1 BEAT5 ME4 ,I ?9K AB\T ALL ! TIMES MY FRI5DS & ,I HELD DEMON/RATIONS TO SUPPORT PEOPLE--FRI5DS OR COMRADES OR /RANG]S--:O W]E BEAT51 LOCK$ UP1 OR MURD]$ BY ! /ATE4 ,I ?9K ( ALL ! BULL%IT WE'VE HAD TO DEAL ) FROM ! POLICE1 NEV] GETT+ A *ANCE TO /ICK IT TO !M4 ,WE'VE WRITT5 LETT]S TO PRISON]S1 YELL$ \TSIDE ! JAILS1 SUPPORT$ /RUGGLES 9SIDE PRISONS1 BROK5 ?+S4 ,SOMETIMES IT WAS FRUITFUL1 BUT (T5 IT FELT LIKE A M]E :IMP]4 ,IT ALWAYS FELT LIKE WE W]E YELL+ AT A BRICK WALL4 ,(T5 WE W]E4 

,I GO ON ) MY DAY1 BUT FIR/1 ,I MAKE SURE TO ASK FRI5DS BACK 9 ,/4 ,L\IS AB\T ! KILL+4 ,!Y HAVE HE>D ! NEWS2 !Y >E GO+ TO A VIGIL ?AT HAS BE5 CALL$ 9 RESPONSE4 ,H\RS LAT]1 !Y TELL ME H[ !Y /OOD >\ND A BLOOD/A9$ PAT* ( ASPHALT ) HUNDR$S ( PEOPLE1 MANY CRY+1 TRY+ TO FIGURE \T :AT TO DO4 ,! GUNFIRE ( ANGRY PEOPLE KEPT ! POLICE AWAY = MANY H\RS4 ,EV5TUALLY1 9 A %[ ( =CE1 ! COPS BR\<T \T ! DOGS4 

 ,AUGU/ #a-#a#a 

  

,BLACK NATIONALI/ LEAD]S ,AN?ONY ,%AHID & ,ZAKI ,B>UKI SEEK TO PACIFY PROTE/]S ON ,S4 ,FLORISSANT SO ?AT ,F]GUSON ,POLICE ,*IEF ,JACKSON CAN SPEAK4 ,!Y FAIL & ! *IEF LEAVES ! /AGE4 ,! POLICE /ATION IS LOCAT$ ON ,S4 ,FLORISSANT2 ?IS IS :]E PEACEFUL DEMON/RATIONS1 CIVIL DISOB$I5CE1 & PRESS CONF]5CES ORGANIZ$ BY ACTIVI/S & NON-PR(ITS >E HAPP5+4 ,! TWO CR[DS--! ,W4 ,FLORISSANT R[DIES & ,S4 ,FLORISSANT ORGANIZ] TYPES-->E (T5 AT ODDS ) EA* O!R4 

,MY EMOTIONS RUN WILD1 EXAGG]AT+ & EXTRAPOLAT+4 ,?IS OCEAN IS AN ABYSS ?AT ONLY GR[S D>K] ONCE Y\ />E 9TO IT4 ,N[ IT /RIKES ME AS AN 5DLESS EXPANSE ( COLD WAT]1 A P[]FUL =CE ?AT C\LD KILL ME ) LITTLE EF=T4 

,! WORLD IS BEAUTIFUL1 OR IT C\LD BE1 BUT IT ALL JU/ FEELS LIKE A SEA ( MIS=TUNES4 ,ON L&1 WE'RE LIKE AN OCEAN ( BODIES1 MOV$ BY WAVES & TIDES1 A CR[D 9 A SPACE ?AT IS TOO TI<T4 ,WE PU% & PULL AGA9/ ONE ANO!R4 ,SOME ( US EAT2 MANY />VE4 ,WE ALL BREA!1 OR TRY TO4 ,BUT !RE'S NOT REALLY ANY UNITY BEYOND ?IS4 ,SOME PEOPLE PR(IT (F O!RS' DEA?S1 & !Y BREA! LIKE ! RE/ ( US4 ,MANY ( US /RUGGLE AGA9/ IT 9 \R [N WAYS1 COLLECTIVELY OR 9DIVIDUALLY4 ,BUT WE TIRE EASILY--HI/ORY RUNS ITS TIDE RI<T OV] US & WA%ES EV]Y?+ AWAY4 ,IS !RE NO ESCAPE8 

,LAT] ?AT NI<T1 TEXTS & CALLS COME 94 ,! /REETS ( ,F]GUSON >E EXPLOD+4 ,AN UNRULY CR[D IS DISOBEY+ CALLS = PEACE4 ,! POLICE & ! USUAL POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS >E AT A LOSS4 ,! POLICE BR+ 9 RE9=CEM5TS4 ,!Y BR+ \T ! DOGS LIKE IT'S ! #a#i#eS 9 ! ,S\?4 

,! OLD WORLD ( PA/ BLACK REBELLION ?AT WE SAW 9 BLACK & :ITE PHOTOS IS 9 FRONT ( \R EYES 9 FULL COLOR4 ,IT NEV] DISAPPE>$2 IT ONLY MORPH$ 9TO SOME?+ MORE P[]FUL--! NEW <ETTOS1 OV]FL[+ PRISONS 9 :I* SLAV]Y IS LEGAL1 POLICE MURD]S1 WAGE SLAV]Y1 SPE$+ TICKETS1 G5TRIFICATION1 EVICTIONS4 ,IT'S H>D TO IMAG9E LIFE 9 ! #a#i#eS4 ,! #a#i#eS DAYS ( FIRE1 ! #a#i#eS WAT] CANNONS1 ! #a#i#eS DOGS B>K+ & MAUL+ PROTE/]S1 ! #a#i#eS LYN*+S3 WE ?9K ( !M ALL 9 BLACK & :ITE1 RELEGAT+ !M TO ! PA/4 0,Y\ W\LDN'T UND]/& ! TR\BLES BACK !N4 ,?+S W]5'T AS VIVID !N AS !Y >E N[40 ,I CAN'T IMAG9E ! WORLD BE=E1 BUT ,I KN[ ?AT PEOPLE SAW AS VIVIDLY !N AS !Y SEE N[4 ,!Y F\<T TOO? & NAIL4 ,WE WILL TOO4 

,! M$IA TALKS AB\T A VIGIL TURN$ 0VIOL5T40 ,A FRI5D CALLS ME1 9 %OCK1 DESCRIB+ :AT HE CALLS A RIOT4 ,PEOPLE >E ANGRY4 ,IT'S NOT A PROTE/ SO MU* AS A RELEASE4 ,COP C>S DRIV+ ?R\< CR[DS :ILE A GANTLET ( PEOPLE ?R[ ?+S & KICK !M4 ,FRI5DS TELL ME ?AT SOME PEOPLE 9 ! CR[D >E FIR+ GUNS1 :I* HAS ! EFFECT ( W>D+ (F ! POLICE4 ,EV]Y?+ IS GETT+ SMA%$4 ,/ORES >E GETT+ LOOT$4 ,A *ASM HAS BE5 CROSS$1 BUT FROM :AT TO :AT ,I'M NOT SURE4 ,! LOCAL E/ABLI%$ BLACK ACTIVI/ POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS >E P]PLEX$ & SC>$1 READY TO DIS[N IT4 ,= A :ILE1 !Y WILL F9D PEOPLE TO BLAME = ! RIOTS1 = GO+ BEYOND ! USUAL RESPECTABLE PROTE/ ME?ODS4 

,?IS WORLD IS EXP]I5C+ A MOM5T ( REBELLION4 ,! 5DLESS1 MONOTON\S WAVES ( SALT WAT] >E NOT SO OPPRESSIVE N[4 ,BE=E !RE W]E NO EXITS2 N[ SOME >E OP5+ UP4 ,BUT !Y >5'T 9 ! =M ( A DESIGNAT$ EXIT DOOR4 ,!Y'RE MORE LIKE RUGG$ GAPS 9 ?AT UNBREAKABLE BRICK WALL WE HAVE BE5 KNOCK+ \R HEADS AGA9/4 ,Y\'RE FREE TO LEAVE N[1 IF JU/ = A MOM5T4 ,LEAVE6 ,?IS IS A MOM5T1 AN OP5+1 BE=E \R 5EMIES KILL1 SUPPRESS1 POLI-TRICK1 DISP]SE1 OR >RE/ US4 ,HURRY6 ,! OLD WORLD IS BEH9D Y\6 

,COPS MOBILIZE TO PROTECT PROP]TY & CAPITAL4 ,LIB]ALS SCREAM AB\T POLICE MILIT>IZATION4 ,! REALITY IS ?AT COPS W]E ATTACK$ & A GAS /ATION WAS LOOT$ & BURN$4 ,IT %\LD NOT SURPRISE US ?AT !Y REACT ?IS WAY4 ,COPS UPHOLD CLASS SOCIETY2 !Y >E ! FIR/ L9E ( DEF5SE :5 WE DIRECTLY ATTACK CAPITALI/ & /ATE PROP]TY4 

 ,AUGU/ #ab 

  

,I'VE WALK$ 9TO SOME?+ & ,I DON'T EV5 KN[4 

,I WILL SOON LE>N ?AT LOTS ( PEOPLE >E H]E TO REBEL4 ,WE'RE ALL TAK+ ADVANTAGE ( ! SITUATION1 BECAUSE ?IS SITUATION DOESN'T HAPP5 EV]Y DAY4 ,! DEM&S ( DAY-TO-DAY LIFE--BILLS1 RAIS+ KIDS1 R5T1 POLICE1 & ! GR9D ( WORK-->E H>D TO *ALL5GE4 ,WE R>ELY GET A *ANCE TO FI<T BACK4 

,?OSE :O SPEAK AB\T 0\TSID]S0 ALI5AT+ ! 0COMMUNITY10 9CLUD+ ?OSE :O TALK ! RADICAL TALK AB\T ! 0COLONIZATION0 ( SU* MOM5TS BY \TSIDE =CES1 >E (T5 SEEK+ TO ]ASE ! 9EVITABLE CONFLICT BETWE5 ?OSE :O WANT PEACE & DIALOGUE ) ! /ATE & ?OSE :O WANT SOME?+ ELSE4 ,A DIV]SITY ( EXP]I5CES & ACTIONS CREATE MASS REBELLION4 ,= SOME1 ANYONE \TSIDE ( ,F]GUSON IS AN \TSID]4 ,= O!RS1 ANYONE \TSIDE ( ,NOR? ,C\NTY 7! CONGLOM]ATE ( SUBURBS >\ND ,F]GUSON7 OR \TSIDE ( ,/4 ,L\IS IS AN \TSID]4 ,= /ILL O!RS1 ANYONE :O IS NOT BLACK IS AN \TSID]4 

,!RE IS SOME?+ TO EXPLORE 9 ALL ( ?IS4 ,IS ?IS MOM5T ! PRODUCT ( ONE 0COMMUNITY08 ,IS ,F]GUSON ! ONLY PLACE1 ! ONLY 0PEOPLE0 :O EXP]I5CE ! POLICE & ! MIS]Y !Y 5=CE8 ,!RE IS NO WALL SEP>AT+ ,F]GUSON FROM O!R PLACES2 ! POLICE DO ! SAME ?+ EV]Y:]E !RE >E POOR PEOPLE4 ,F]GUSON IS NOT A TI<T-KNIT FAMILY ) A S+UL> *>ACT]2 IT'S AN ALI5AT+ SUBURB :]E PEOPLE >E JU/ AS ATOMIZ$ BY CAPITALI/ & /ATE RELATIONS AS !Y >E 9 ANY O!R SUBURB4 

,EV5 IF PEOPLE />T (F AS \TSID]S1 SPATIALLY OR RACIALLY1 ?AT ISN'T NECESS>ILY P]MAN5T1 EI!R4 ,\TSID]S CAN MEET EA* O!R4 0,\TSID]S0 CAN BE JU/ AS RI<TFULLY AGITAT$ AS ?OSE :O >E 09SIDE40 ,!Y CAN LE>N FROM EA* O!R4 ,& SOME :O >E ASSUM$ TO BE \TSID]S >5'T \TSID]S AT ALL4 ,= 9/ANCE1 TAKE :ITE TE5AGE KIDS :O GO TO S*OOL 9 ,NOR? ,C\NTY1 MANY ( :OSE FRI5DS >E BLACK4 ,!Y MI<T GO TO ! /REETS ( ,F]GUSON = %>$ REASONS2 !Y MI<T GO !RE = !IR FRI5DS & EV5 = !MSELVES4 ,OR TAKE SOMEONE ( ANY RACE :O LIVES MILES AWAY1 BUT %>ES FAMILY TIES ) SOMEONE :O LIVES 9 ,F]GUSON & IS AFFECT$ BY ! SAME POLICE & ! SAME RACISM ?AT KILL$ ,MIKE ,BR[N4 ,!RE SURELY >E DIFF]5CES 9 EXP]I5CES & HI/ORIES1 BUT ?IS DOESN'T MAKE ONE AN 5TIRELY AN \TSID]4 ,ALL POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY ?AT DESIGNATES 09SIDE0 & 0\TSIDE0 IS AB\T CONTROL4 

,= MANY PEOPLE1 FROM ALL >\ND ,/4 ,L\IS & ! ,U,S1 :AT IS HAPP5+ 9 RESPONSE TO ! MURD] ( ,MIKE ,BR[N IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO F9ALLY SEEK JU/ICE1 OR TO GET EV5 ) ! POLICE OR ANO!R 5EMY1 & EV]YONE HAS !IR [N ME?ODS = H[ TO DO ?AT4 ,IT IS 9SULT+ TO R$UCE ALL ?IS TO M]E OPPORTUNISM4 

,I MEET SOME FRI5DS & WE HEAD UP TO ,F]GUSON4 ,IT'S A T5-M9UTE DRIVE FROM MY H\SE4 ,! SUMM] HEAT IS AT FULL BLA/1 TURN+ MY M9D TO SWEATY MU%4 ,WE WALK >\ND2 A FRI5D REC\NTS ! EV5TS ( ,AUGU/ #i & PO9TS \T ! PLACES :]E ?+S W5T D[N4 ,WE RUN 9TO SOME PEOPLE !Y KNEW FROM ! PREVI\S DAYS4 ,!RE'S SOME TALK AB\T ! COM+ NI<T & :AT'S GO+ TO GO D[N4 ,MY FRI5D TELLS ME /ORIES AB\T TE> GAS1 AB\T SMALL CR[DS ( PEOPLE FI<T+ :AT S\NDS LIKE URBAN W>F>E4 

,LAT]1 AFT] ! SUNSET1 ! ATMOSPH]E IS T5SE4 ,NOT SURPRIS+1 CONSID]+ ?AT FOLKS COLLECTIVELY LOOT$ & BURN$ ! ,Q,T A FEW NI<TS BE=E4 ,SOME >E T]RIFI$ ( ! REP]CUSSIONS ( ! RIOT A FEW NI<TS AGO4 ,!Y >E LOOK+ = SOMEONE TO BLAME BECAUSE !Y >E WORRI$ AB\T :AT ! POLICE >E GO+ TO DO IF WE RIOT AGA94 

,WE DRIVE FROM ! ,Q,T TO A *UR* ON ,*AMB]S :]E ,AL ,%>PTON IS SPEAK+4 ,! POLICE >E LURK+ 9 ! %AD[S1 BLOCKS AWAY--& POSSIBLY )9 ! CR[D--& !RE'S A MO/LY MALE SECURITY =CE ( ,NATION ( ,ISLAM MEMB]S 7,N,O,I71 ,NEW ,BLACK ,PAN!R ,P>TY MEMB]S 7,N,B,P,P71 & O!RS \T TO CONTA9 ! UNRULY CR[D4 ,!Y'RE TRY+ TO CALM PEOPLE1 >GU+ ) ! ONES :O DON'T WANT TO FOLL[ !IR RULES4 ,?IS IS COMP\ND$ BY ! FACT ?AT ,%>PTON IS SPEAK+ 9SIDE ! BUILD+ #e FEET AWAY FROM US4 ,SO NO1 !RE WON'T BE ANY RIOT \TSIDE4 

,/ILL1 :]E ,I AM1 !RE'S GOT BE #e TO #a PEOPLE ON ! /REET4 ,IT'S GETT+ D>K & ,I'M NOT CLE> EXACTLY :]E ,I'M AT GEOGRAPHICALLY4 

,D[N ! /REET1 A GR\P ( KIDS >E SETT+ (F FIRECRACK]S4 ,PEOPLE >E *ANT+ ! N[-FAMILI> 0,H&S UP1 DON'T ,%OOT60 ,! LAT] (T-HE>D 0,BLACK ,LIVES ,MATT]0 *ANT HAS NOT MADE ITS APPE>ANCE YET4 ,IT WON'T = A :ILE1 NOT UNTIL ?+S CALM D[N & BECOME MORE PALATABLE4 ,AT ONE PO9T1 ! =M] LEAD] ( ! ,N,B,P,P1 ,MALIK ,%ABAZZ1 GETS UP & CALLS \T1 0,H&S UP6 ,%HHOOOOT BACK60 ,! 0%OOT BACK0 IS ALMO/ A :ISP]1 IF Y\ C\LD EV5 DO SU* A ?+ ON A MEGAPHONE1 & IT'S PRETTY P]PLEX+1 NOT KN[+ :O ?IS MAN IS4 

,!RE >5'T A LOT ( :ITE PEOPLE >\ND4 ,9 ! FIR/ DAYS1 MO/ ( ! WOKE :ITE PEOPLE LEFT AFT] D>K OR DIDN'T %[ UP 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 ,= ! MORE POLITICALLY SYMPA!TIC1 IT WAS BECAUSE !Y FELT IT WAS NOT !IR PLACE4 ,/ILL1 :ILE NOT A MAJORITY1 !RE >E :ITE PEOPLE >\ND1 ?\< NOT MANY ( ! EASILY DEF9ABLE OR 0RESPECTABLE0 :ITE PEOPLE4 

,AMONG SUPPOS$ ANTI-RACI/S1 !RE'S A LOT ( PEOPLE RE-9VOK+ 0:IT5ESS0 AS A JU/IFICATION NOT TO P>TICIPATE4 ,?IS FRAMEWORK OBSCURES ! WAYS ?AT A HOMOG5\S OR REIFI$ NOTION ( 0:IT5ESS0 BREAKS D[N UND] SCRUT9Y4 ,! DESIRE = A /RICT DEF9ITION ( 0:IT5ESS0 IS /RONG4 

,!RE'S A GR\P ( M5 :O HAVE IT 9 = MY FRI5DS4 ,!Y SEE US AS 9/IGATORS ( ! RIOT+1 ( ! >SON4 ,ONE ( !M1 ,TEF-,PE1 HAS TIES TO ! MAYOR ( ,/4 ,L\IS & A COLUMN 9 A WEEKLY TABLOID4 ,EV]Y PALE FACE !Y SEE IS NOT WELCOME4 ,?IS MI<T BE 5\< TO MAKE US WANT TO LEAVE4 ,BUT ! CONFUS+ ?+ IS ?AT ?IS CONTRADICTS MANY ( ! O!R 9T]ACTIONS ,I'VE ALREADY HAD 9 ?IS BIG CR[D1 :]E MY COLOR1 /ILL =EV] PRES5T & DI/9CT1 DOES NOT NECESS>ILY M>K ME \T AS UNWELCOME1 EV5 IF ?+S >E OCCASIONALLY UNCOM=TABLE4 

,:O %\LD WE LI/5 TO8 ,! PEOPLE FROM ! POLITICAL 9TELLIG5TSIA TRY+ TO KEEP ! PEACE8 ,OR ! PEOPLE :O >E R[DY & HAVE NONE ( ?OSE CONNECTIONS8 

,A :ITE FRI5D IS CONFRONT$ BY !SE M5 & ACCUS$ ( />T+ FIRES4 ,A CONTRADICTORY CR[D =MS2 SOME PEOPLE DEF5D HIM1 :ILE HIS ACCUS]S SURR\ND HIM1 PU%+ HIM & YELL+4 ,HE LEAVES4 ,TEF-,PE IS YELL+3 0,IF Y\'RE AN AN>*I/1 GET \T6 ,WE DON'T WANT Y\ H]E60 ,IT'S H>D TO KN[ :AT TO DO4 ,AN UNRULY CR[D IS NOT ! BE/ PLACE TO DISCUSS NUANCES4 ,YELL+ MAT*ES DO NOT (F] US MU* :5 IT COMES TO UND]/&+ EA* O!R4 

,IT'S A R>E ?+ TO BE 9 A CR[D ?AT IS NOT SE5 AS LEGITIMATE4 ,UNLIKE A CONC]T1 A SPORTS EV5T1 OR ! BU/LE AT A %OPP+ MALL1 :]E \R EXP]I5CE IS C5T]$ >\ND CONSUM+ OR SPECTATOR%IP1 ?IS IS A SITUATION 9 :I* ANY?+ CAN HAPP54 ,?IS SEEMS TO DISMAY ?OSE :O WANT PEACE OR A ?R[BACK TO #a#i#fS-/YLE DISCIPL9$ BLACK MILITANCY4 ,! CR[D IS RIFE ) ANG]1 TRAUMA1 SADNESS1 P[] PLAYS1 :IMS1 & DYNAMICS ?AT ,I CAN NEV] REALLY UND]/&4 

,! PEOPLE :O W]E YELL+ W]E ]AS+ ! MO/LY BLACK FOLKS :O 5GAG$ 9 ! REBELLION4 ,!Y >E WORRI$ AB\T ! M$IA PORTRAYAL ?AT WILL RE-5TR5* RACI/ /]EOTYPES ( ! BLACK LOOT] & ! VIOL5T BLACK CRIM9AL2 ?IS IS :Y !Y FEEL ! NE$ TO CONCEAL ! REALITY ( :AT HAPP5$4 ,9/EAD ( *ALL5G+ ?IS /]EOTYP+ & DESCRIB+ ! LOOT+ & FIRE ACCORD+ TO A DIFF]5T N>RATIVE--= EXAMPLE1 CRITIQU+ ! /RUCTURAL VIOL5CE ( CAPITALISM & PROP]TY RI<TS OR PO9T+ \T ?AT ! SAME LAWS ?AT PROTECT PROP]TY ONCE PROTECT$ ! AU?ORITY ( SLAVE MA/]S--!Y BLAME ! ACTS ( REBELLION ON SOMEONE ELSE OR D[NPLAY !M COMPLETELY4 

,LAT] 9 ! NI<T1 AT HOME1 SOME ( US >GUE ) ONE ANO!R4 ,! EXP]I5CE ( BE+ KICK$ \T1 ( BE+ S+L$ \T BECAUSE ( \R :IT5ESS & \R AN>*ISM1 SP>KS A :OLE >RAY ( /RONG EMOTIONS4 ,:AT >E \R MOTIVATIONS8 ,>E !Y 0PURE0 OR >E WE JU/ 9 IT = ADV5TURE8 

,:AT IS HAPP5+ IS REAL1 IT CALLS SO MU* 9TO QUE/ION2 IT'S MORE REAL ?AN ANY?+ ,I HAVE EV] FELT4 ,WE WANT TO FI<T BACK AGA9/ ! POLICE BECAUSE ?AT'S :AT MANY ( US HAVE BE5 DO+ = MO/ ( \R LIVES4 ,:5 O!RS >E FI<T+ BACK1 WE CAN'T JU/ /& BACK & WAT*4 ,WE WANT TO 5GAGE 9 SOCIAL REVOLUTION1 BUT ?IS MOM5T ISN'T SOME?+ WE CAN ROMANTICIZE ) %ALL[ RHETORIC4 ,\R [N LIMITATIONS1 \R DIFF]5CES1 \R BAD DYNAMICS COME \T AMONG \RSELVES = US TO CONFRONT4 ,& WE %\LD CONFRONT !M4 ,?IS SC>ES ME BECAUSE IT'S NOT SOME?+ ,I'VE EV] REALLY SE5 9 MY FRI5DS4 ,9 ME4 ,!RE'S YELL+1 A TEMPOR>Y S*ISM1 !N COOL+ (F4 

,WE CONFRONT AGE-OLD OPPRESSIONS & P]SONAL 9SECURITIES3 ! NI<TM>E ( RACIALIZATION1 ! ALI5ATION PEOPLE FEEL ON ACC\NT ( BE+ LEFT \T OR BECAUSE ( !IR ASSIGN$ G5D] OR LACK ( EXP]I5CE4 ,IT FEELS BO? HORRIBLE & NECESS>Y TO OP5 !SE W\NDS RI<T N[4 ,?IS MOM5T IS NOT PURE OR GLORI\S4 ,IT'S ! RESULT ( YET ANO!R VICI\S POLICE MURD] ?AT BR+S ALL ! OPPRESSIVE UND]P9N+S ( ?IS SOCIETY TO ! SURFACE4 ,IT'S NO SURPRISE ?AT ?IS BR+S UP ! REAL T5SIONS ?AT EXI/ AMONG MY FRI5DS4 ,P[] & OPPRESSION RE> !IR HEADS 9 EV]Y SITUATION4 

,LAT]1 ,I HE> ?AT POLICE & REBELS CLA%$ ONCE AGA9 9 ! NI<T4 

 ,AUGU/ #ac 

  

,! NEXT DAY1 ,I FEEL PRETTY HOPELESS4 

,IF ?IS IS ALL ?AT WILL HAPP5--ROV+ PATROLS ( POLICE IMPOS+ ORD] FROM \TSIDE :ILE A MIX ( OLD-FA%ION$ LEFTI/ & BLACK NATIONALI/ 7,N,O,I1 ,N,B,P,P7 POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS 5=CE IT FROM )9--,I'M NOT TOO 9T]E/$4 ,!Y MI<T AS WELL BE WORK+ ) ! POLICE4 ,CASE 9 PO9T3 LAT]1 ,I SEE PEOPLE PO/+ PHOTOS ( MY FRI5DS ON ,9/AGRAM ALLEG+ ?AT !Y W]E LOOT]S & >SONI/S ON ! NI<T ! ,Q,T BURN$ & CALL+ = PEOPLE TO REPORT !M TO ! POLICE4 ,SOME ( ! PEOPLE 9 ! PHOTOS W]5'T EV5 9 T[N ?AT NI<T4 

,WE HE> ON ! NEWS & ON ,TWITT]1 ,9/AGRAM1 & O!R SOCIAL M$IA AB\T ! 0\TSID] AGITATORS0 OR 0:ITE AN>*I/S0 FROM ,/4 ,L\IS :O />T$ ALL ?IS4 ,PEOPLE TALK AB\T IT IS AS IF IT'S AN ORGANIZ$ GR\P ) A LEAD]2 9 FACT1 SOME MAKE ALLUSIONS TO A SUPPOS$ LEAD]4 ,I READ AB\T BLACK & :ITE 0COMMUNITY MEMB]S0 & POLICE TELL+ AN>*I/S TO GET \T1 TO *ECK !IR PRIVILEGE4 

,?OSE :O SEEK TO RULE W\LD RA!R TREAT US LIKE *ILDR51 W\LD RA!R SEE US REMA9 D[NTRODD5 & SC>$1 EASILY RALLI$ AGA9/ 9V5T$ 5EMIES4 

,9 MOM5TS LIKE ?IS1 IT'S P[]FUL TO SEE PEOPLE BECOME MU* MORE ?AN ! USUAL ID5TITIES ?AT >E IMPOS$ BY ! /ATE1 POLITICIANS1 & EV5 REVOLUTION>IES ACCORD+ TO ASSIGN$ RACE1 G5D]1 & ABILITY4 ,BY TAK+ ACTION 9 SU* MOM5TS1 PEOPLE >E REFUS+ TO BE DEF9$ ANYMORE4 ,?IS IS NOT TO SAY ?AT ?OSE IMPOS$ ID5TITIES OR 7DIS7ABILITIES COMPLETELY DISAPPE>--BUT A DIFFICULT PA? AWAY FROM !M CAN EM]GE1 AT LEA/ = A MOM5T4 

,?IS IS :Y MANY CANNOT ADMIT ?AT ! RIOT+ & LOOT+ IS COM+ FROM GR\PS ( BLACK1 NON-BLACK1 & :ITE RESID5TS FROM ,F]GUSON & BEYOND4 ,SOME ( !SE1 Y\ C\LD >GUE1 >E 0COMMUNITY MEMB]S0--BUT !Y >E NOT ! ONES :O MATT] 9 ! EYES ( ! COMM5TATORS1 BECAUSE !Y DON'T HAVE ANY ECONOMIC OR SOCIAL SWAY1 OR ELSE BECAUSE !Y DON'T FIT 9TO A PRECONCEIV$ CONCEPTION ( :AT AN 0OPPRESS$ ID5TITY0 CAN DO4 ,?OSE COMM5TATORS1 BE !Y LIB]ALS1 BLACK NATIONALI/S1 :ITE ANTI-RACI/S1 OR OLD-FA%ION$ LEFTI/ ORGANIZ]S1 SEEM TO SEE /RUGGLE AS A MATT] ( BE+ VICTIMIZ$1 9 :I* WE C[] & LOOK = AN AU?ORITY FIGURE TO SAVE US--SOMEONE :OSE VOICE IS HE>D MORE CLE>LY ?AN \RS 9 ! HALLS ( P[]4 

,:]EAS 9 ,F]GUSON1 9 FACT1 /RUGGLE MEANS AN AMALGAMATION ( PEOPLE 79CLUD+ A FEW AN>*I/S7 REFUS+ TO BE VICTIMIZ$1 DEF5D+ \RSELVES1 & SOMETIMES TAK+ ! (F5SIVE AGA9/ ! POLICE4 

,IF !RE W]E NEV] AN>*I/S 9 ,F]GUSON1 ! POLICE & POLITICAL CULTS W\LD HAVE TO 9V5T !M4 

 ,AUGU/ #ad 

  

,IT ONLY TOOK A DAY OR TWO AFT] ! ,Q,T WAS BURNT = ! T[N TO BE 9VAD$444 

,EV]Y W+NUT POLITICAL CULT ONE C\LD IMAG9E IS H]E--FROM ! ,R,C,P1 ,SOCIALI/ ,ALT]NATIVE1 ,NEW ,BLACK ,PAN!RS1 ,SCI5TOLOGI/S1 AN>*I/S1 & ,*RI/IAN MIME TR\PES DANC+ TO 9SPIRATIONAL MUSIC TO MILITIA GR\PS LIKE ! ,OA? ,KEEP]S SEEK+1 SO !Y SAY1 NOT TO SUPPRESS PROTE/ BUT TO PROTECT 0FREE SPEE*0 & PRIVATE PROP]TY4 ,ALONGSIDE !M1 REPRES5TATIVES ( EV]Y M$IA \TLET >E H]E SPEW+ LIES4 

,I LE>N$ A LONG TIME AGO TO RE9 9 ANY ASSUMPTION ?AT ,I CAN MANIFE/ REVOLT M]ELY ON ACC\NT ( MY POLITICAL POSITION4 ,! FL[]Y WORDS ,I SPEAK DO NOT MANIFE/ REVOLT4 ,USUALLY1 MY POLITICAL CULT HAS LITTLE 9FLU5CE :5 ACTUAL REBELLION />TS--& ! SAME GOES = ALL ! O!R CULTS4 ,?IS DOESN'T /OP ! O!RS FROM 9FLAT+ !IR AG5CY AS !Y VIE ) EA* O!R TO GET 9 FRONT ( ANY /RUGGLE ?AT SURPASSES !M4 ,?AT 9CLUDES MANY WELL-WORN POLITICAL ORGANIZATIONS ) 0REVOLUTION>Y0 PRET5TIONS4 

,! SCRIPT PLAYS \T LIKE ?IS3 POLITICOS LOOK = ! REVOLUTION>Y SUBJECT TO H>NESS 9 ?IS MOM5T--OR ELSE1 9 SOME CASES1 ! RE=MI/ SUBJECT4 ,= SOME ,M>XI/S1 IT'S ! 7BLACK7 WORK+ CLASS2 = SOME AN>*I/S1 IT'S ! 7BLACK7 LUMP5PROLET>IAT2 = LIB]ALS1 IT IS JU/ 7BLACK7 PEOPLE REG>DLESS ( :O & :]E !Y COME FROM4 ,BUT NONE ( !M EV] ACTUALLY F9D ?IS SUBJECT1 LET ALONE 0ORGANIZE0 IT1 BECAUSE Y\ CAN'T F9D AN AB/RACTION4 ,HI/ORICALLY1 !Y SEEK TO DISCIPL9E & MOLD !SE 0SUBJECTS0 TO !IR WILLS1 :E!R VIA MY?OLOGY DISGUIS$ AS !ORY1 CONC5TRATION CAMPS1 POLIC+1 PROPAG&A1 OR VIOL5CE4 ,& IF HI/ORY IS ANY 9DICATION1 !Y USUALLY FAIL MIS]ABLY1 ?\< ?IS DOES NOT /AVE (F ! RESULT+ MIS=TUNE4 

,LOOK+ >\ND AT ! SC5E1 IT'S IMM$IATELY APP>5T H[ PROBLEMATIC MO/ ( ! O!R PREEXI/+ POLITICAL & RELIGI\S =MATIONS >E2 !Y >E ALL SO QUICK TO TELL PEOPLE :AT !Y %\LD BE DO+4 ,DOZ5S ( GR\PS FROM DIV]SE RACIAL & POLITICAL BACKGR\NDS HAVE DESC5D$ ON ,F]GUSON TO 0HELP0 OR 0SAVE0 PEOPLE4 ,IT FEELS LIKE A POLITICAL & RELIGI\S M>KET ECONOMY1 ) EV]YONE COMPET+ TO BE HE>D4 ,!RE >E GR\PS GETT+ 9TO MEGAPHONE-P[]$ >GUM5TS ) EA* O!R1 =C+ US TO LI/5 TO !IR COMPET+ TIRADES1 EA* ( :I* IS REALLY JU/ SOMEONE'S GLORIFI$ 9N] MONOLOGUE4 

 ,! NATIONAL M$IA HAVE BE5 PLAY+ SC5ES ( A VIOL5T & T5SE POLICE SIEGE ( A SUBURB4 

  

,SC5ES FROM ,F]GUSON >E />T+ TO HAVE ! EFFECT ( DELEGITIMIZ+ ! POLICE4 ,A DEBATE AB\T ! MILIT>IZATION ( POLICE IS RAG+ AMONG POLITICIANS & 9 ! M$IA1 BO? LOCALLY & NATIONALLY4 ,LIB]AL PATRIOTS >E \TRAG$3 0,?IS IS ,AM]ICA1 NOT ,IRAQ40 

,9 A ,P,R MOVE1 ! ,GOV]NOR RE9S 9 ! C\NTY POLICE & TEMPOR>ILY H&S OV] CONTROL ( POLIC+ ! PROTE/ TO ! ,MISS\RI ,/ATE ,HI<WAY ,PATROL4 ,! ,/4 ,L\IS ,C\NTY & ,F]GUSON POLICE =CES >E COMPRIS$ ( MO/LY :ITE (FIC]S4 ,! ,GOV]NOR *OOSES A BLACK HI<WAY PATROL S]GEANT1 ,RON ,JOHNSON1 TO HEAD ! OP]ATIONS4 ,RON ,JOHNSON IS FROM ! >EA >\ND ,F]GUSON & IS AN 9CR$IBLY NICE GUY--OR W\LD BE1 IF NOT = HIS BE+ A COP4 ,UNLIKE ! ,/4 ,L\IS ,C\NTY & ,F]GUSON POLICE1 ,JOHNSON PROMISES TO ALL[ PEOPLE TO PROTE/1 TO HEAL1 & TO GA!R4 ,?IS WORKS LIKE A ,J$I M9D TRICK ON SOME PEOPLE1 BUT IT DOESN'T QUIET O!R PEOPLE D[N4 ,9/EAD1 IT CREATES A SLIPP]Y SLOPE1 A SITUATION 9 :I* ANY?+ GOES BECAUSE ,JOHNSON WANTS PEOPLE TO 0FREELY0 EXPRESS !MSELVES1 TO HAVE SPACE TO HEAL TOGE!R4 ,LITTLE DOES HE KN[ ?AT ! WAY MANY ( US *OOSE TO EXPRESS \RSELVES & HEAL 9VOLVES BREAK+ A LOT ( LAWS4 

,W4 ,FLORISSANT1 ! MA9 DRAG JU/ A BLOCK AWAY FROM ! SITE ( ,MIKE ,BR[N'S MURD]1 LOOKS SOME?+ LIKE A VICTORY P>ADE4 ,! ,Q,T S]VES AS A MEET+ PO9T = PEOPLE4 ,!RE'S A L>GE B>BECUE PIT GO+4 ,PEOPLE >E TAK+ SELFIES 9 FRONT ( ! BURNT \T ,Q,T4 ,KIDS >E *ALK+ ANTI-POLICE GRAFFITI 9TO ! P>K+ LOT4 ,I SEE LITTLE KIDS ) ,F,T,P PA9T$ ON !IR FACES4 ,EV]YONE & !IR GR&MA IS WE>+ A MASK ( SOME K9D4 ,PEOPLE >E DANC+1 !RE'S A DRUMM] BU/+ BEATS BETWE5 OBSOLETE GAS PUMPS COV]$ 9 GRAFFITI4 ,PEOPLE >E DR9K+1 SMOK+ WE$4 ,C>S OV]LOAD$ ) PEOPLE 9SIDE & \T >E HONK+ !IR HORNS UNREL5T+LY1 BLA/+ MUSIC4 

,! CR[D IS HUGE4 ,A VA/ CROSS SECTION ( BLACK ,/4 ,L\IS IS H]E1 AS WELL AS A DIV]SITY ( NON-BLACK FOLKS4 

,I W&] ?R\< ALL ( ?IS1 MO/LY ON MY [N4 ,EV]Y FEW FEET1 SOME?+ NEW IS HAPP5+1 UNRELAT$ TO ! LA/ ?+4 ,IT FEELS LIKE AN \T-(-CONTROL P>TY1 A RELEASE AFT] SO MANY T5SE NI<TS1 LIKE ANY?+ FE/IVE GOES4 0,WE BURNT ?IS %IT D[N & WE WANT TO BE HE>D1 DON'T FUCK ) US ANYMORE444 OR ELSE40 ,TODAY1 ! POLICE HAVE MOM5T>ILY C$$ US SOME T]RITORY4 ,CONV]SATIONS >E TAK+ PLACE4 ,I CAN'T C\NT ! NUMB] ( TIMES SOMEONE1 PROBABLY ALLUD+ TO MY :IT5ESS1 9NOC5TLY ASKS ME :Y ,I AM !RE AS ,I W&] >\ND ! VA/ CR[D4 ,EV]Y CONV]SATION IS REW>D+1 A TEMPOR>Y MELT+ ( RACIAL B>RI]S4 

,!RE >E SOAPBOX]S SOAPBOX+1 BUT !Y'RE ON PLA/IC MILK CRATES444 & 9/EAD ( UNAMPLIFI$ VOICES1 !Y HAVE MEGAPHONES--?AT (T-US$ TOOL ( C\NT]-9SURG5CY--TO YELL OV] US PLEBEIANS4 ,CR[DS >E LI/5+ TO !M4 ,SOME COMPETE = LI/5]S2 ,I W&] FROM ONE TO ! NEXT4 ,! ,REVOLUTION>Y ,COMMUNI/ ,P>TY1 ! ,NATION ( ,ISLAM1 PREA*]S1 O!RS ,I DON'T KN[4 ,IT'S ODD & K9D ( COMICAL1 9 \R ATOMIZ$ & DIGITIZ$ WORLD1 TO SEE PEOPLE DO+ REAL-LIFE #a#iS-/YLE AGITAT+4 

,I GET 9TO AN >GUM5T ) A ,R,C,P MEMB] :O TRIES TO GIVE ME A PAP]4 ,HE'S SO DAMN BEGUIL+ IT'S CREEPY4 

0,Y'ALL >E JU/ VULTURES1 A CULT COM+ H]E TO RECRUIT = Y\R P>TY4 ,IT'S SICK60 

,9 A WAY ?AT S\NDS *>ISMATICALLY CULTI% HE LAYS IT \T = US1 0,WE >5'T A CULT4 ,WE NE$ PEOPLE :O /UDY REVOLUTION4 ,:5 Y\ >E SICK1 Y\ GO TO A DOCTOR :O HAS /UDI$ M$IC9E4 ,:5 Y\ NE$ REVOLUTION1 Y\ GO TO ?OSE :O HAVE /UDI$ IT = US60 ,SO !IR LEAD]1 ,BOB ,AVAKIAN IS LIKE A REVOLUTION>Y DOCTOR Y\ CALL :5 Y\'RE SICK4 ,LIKE A DOCTOR1 HE HAS ! SOLUTION TO Y\R ILL4 ,IT'S P>TICUL>LY CREEPY BUT IT ALSO DESCRIBES A LOT ( POLITICAL IDEOLOGY--!ORETICIANS :O >E BASICALLY BUS9ESS MANAG]S :O /UDY HUMAN MOVEM5T FROM ABOVE1 9 ORD] TO MOVE US >\ND LIKE *ESS PIECES4 

,I C\NT]30,:5 ,I'M SICK ,I USUALLY DON'T GO TO ! DOCTOR4 ,I HAVE FRI5DS OR FAMILY :O CAN TAKE C>E ( ME1 ,I HAVE A T9CTURE ?AT CLE>S MY ?ROAT1 ,I CAN RE/1 ,I HAVE ALL !SE PEOPLE & ME?ODS & MU* MORE6 ,IT DOESN'T TAKE JU/ ONE P]SON TO HEAL Y\4 ,!Y MI<T MAKE SOME CONTRIBUTION1 BUT !Y >E AMONG MANY :O HELP ME4 ,?IS IS LIKE :AT'S HAPP5+ RI<T N[40 

,HE CAN ONLY GIVE ME AN E]IE SMILE4 ,! CONV]SATION 5DS !RE4 

,LAT]1 ,I RUN 9TO SOME ( ! Y\NG] ,R,C,P PEOPLE & WE GET 9TO A SIMIL> CONV]SATION4 ,IT SEEMS LIKE !Y >E A LITTLE MORE DISGRUNTL$ N[4 ,I M5TION H[ ODD & CULTI% !IR GR\P IS4 ,BO? ( !M >E BLACK4 ,!Y TELL ME ?AT !Y DON'T WOR%IP ANYONE1 ESPECIALLY NOT A :ITE ,EUROPEAN MAN4 ,9 MY HEAD1 ,I'M HOP+ ?IS MEANS !Y'LL QUIT ! P>TY4 

,REG>DLESS1 ! ,R,C,P IS USEFUL 9 SOME WAYS4 ,UNLIKE ! CONS]VATIVE GR\PS 7LIKE ! ,N,B,P,P OR ! ,NATION ( ,ISLAM71 !Y ALL[ ANYONE :O WANTS TO SPEAK TO USE !IR MEGAPHONES4 ,!Y DON'T %AME PEOPLE = WANT+ TO FI<T ! POLICE4 ,!Y ADD TO ! *AOS ( IT ALL4 ,BUT FUCK !M & !IR CULT ALL ! SAME4 

,AT SOME PO9T1 A CONT+5T ( ,NEW ,BLACK ,PAN!R ,P>TY MEMB]S WALKS ?R\< ! CR[D 9 A MILIT>Y L9E & TAKES ! M$IAN ( ! /REET 9 FRONT ! ,Q,T4 ,SOME ( !M >E TRY+ TO DIRECT TRAFFIC1 :I* IS PRETTY USELESS BECAUSE PEOPLE >5'T FOLL[+ !IR GUIDANCE AT ALL4 ,IT'S LIT]ALLY BUMP] TO ! BUMP]4 ,IT ALL SEEMS LIKE AN ACT4 ,!Y'RE DRESS$ 9 G>B /RAI<T \T ( ! #a#i#fS & '#gS3 B]ETS1 COMBAT BOOTS1 FLAK JACKETS1 LEA!R JACKETS4 ,!Y L9E UP 9 MILIT>Y =MATION & M>* 9 PLACE4 ,!Y RAISE !IR FI/S & *ANT 0,BLACK ,P[]60 OV] & OV]4 ,SOME PEOPLE *ANT IT BACK1 BUT MO/ PEOPLE JU/ />E4 ,I SEE A FEW O!RS LAU<4 ,I GET ! S5SE ?AT A FAIR AM\NT ( ! CR[D IS PUT (F BY H[ \T ( PLACE ?IS GR\P IS4 ,! CLO?+ /YLE & REVOLUTION>Y DISCIPL9E SEEM LIKE A C>ICATURE4 ,IT FEELS FAKE1 LIKE !Y'RE FRONT+ 9 A CR[D ?AT IS MU* BIGG] 9 SCOPE ?AN !Y WILL EV] BE4 

,! ,N,B,P,P & ! ,NATION ( ,ISLAM HAVE AN 0ORGANIZ$0 APPROA* ?AT AIMS = SOME K9D ( /RICT DISCIPL9E4 ,!Y ASPIRE TO HAVE AU?ORITY 9 ! CR[D4 ,B5EA? !IR MILITANT RHETORIC1 !Y MA9TA9 A CONS]VATIVE AG5DA4 ,!Y PREA* HOMOPHOBIA1 ANTI-,SEMITISM1 PATRI>*Y1 & RACIAL SEP>ATISM1 & !Y ASPIRE TO BLACK CAPITALISM4 ,!Y WANT BLACK PEOPLE TO S]VE AS CANNON FODD] = !IR CAUSE4 ,9 ?IS MOM5T1 ALL !SE AU?ORIT>IAN GR\PS CAN DO IS SCREAM 9TO A VOID ?AT NO ONE CAN FILL4 ,YE>S LAT]1 :5 !Y APPE> 9 DOCUM5T>IES OR RUN = (FICE1 !Y WILL BE ABLE TO TALK AB\T H[ !Y ORGANIZ$ DUR+ ! ,F]GUSON REBELLION4 ,= N[1 ! CACOPHONY ( EV]Y?+ OV]P[]S ! POSSIBILITY ( A DISCIPL9$ =CE4 ,/ILL1 !SE GR\PS >E T5ACI\S4 

,! USELESS EF=T TO DIRECT ! TRAFFIC ON ,WE/ ,FLORISSANT FEELS LIKE A PLOY TO %[ ?AT !Y HAVE SOME SEMBLANCE ( CONTROL :5 !Y REALLY DON'T4 ,! PEOPLE 9 ! C>S >5'T EV5 LI/5+ TO !M4 ,BASICALLY1 !Y ULTIMATELY AIM TO DO /ATE & CAPITAL BETT] & BE MORE JU/4 ,!Y >E 9 ?IS SC5E TO %[ PEOPLE ?AT !Y CAN DO IT BETT]4 ,! HOPE IS ?AT !Y WILL RECRUIT PEOPLE :O WILL BECOME 5?RALL$ BY !IR DISCIPL9E4 ,9 ! DAYS COM+1 !IR LACK ( 9FLU5CE WILL BECOME MU* MORE APP>5T4 

,!RE >E MANY1 MANY O!RS :O >E P>T ( ?IS VA/ CR[D ?AT >E DO+ SOME?+ TOTALLY DIFF]5T4 ,!Y MI<T NOT EV5 BE AW>E ?AT ! ,N,B,P,P IS P]=M+ = US BECAUSE !Y >E PHYSICALLY SOME:]E ELSE :]E !Y CAN'T HE> OR SEE !M--?IS CR[D GOES = BLOCKS4 ,IT'S H>D TO P9 PEOPLE D[N OR DEF9E !M1 BECAUSE UNLIKE ! POLITICAL CULTS ?AT SEEK TO DI/+UI% !MSELVES ) FA%ION1 BANN]S1 & 9SIGNIA1 MO/ PEOPLE >E NOT 9 /RICT GR\PS4 ,!RE >E SOME LOOSELY DEF9$ GR\PS--FRI5DS1 FAMILY1 RELATIVES1 CREWS--BUT MO/ PEOPLE >5'T HOLD+ !IR [N POLITICAL BANN] HOP+ TO MAKE A NAME = !MSELVES4 ,?IS DOES NOT MEAN PEOPLE >5'T POLITICAL1 ?AT !Y >5'T >ROGANT1 OR ?AT !Y HAVE TOTALLY 0PURE0 9T5TIONS4 ,MAYBE IF SOME HAD ! *ANCE1 !Y'D TRY TO =M SOME?+ SIMIL>4 

,M$IA T5TS >E EV]Y:]E4 ,I SEE SOME FAM\S NEWS AN*ORS :OSE FACES ,I RECOGNIZE1 EV5 IF ,I DON'T KN[ !IR NAMES4 ,IS ?AT444 ,&]SON ,COOP]8 ,!Y'RE REPORT+ LIVE4 ,I TRY TO PHOTO BOMB !M4 ,L>GE GR\PS ( PEOPLE >E SURR\ND+ !IR T5TS4 ,WE'RE WAT*+ ,T,V 9 REAL LIFE4 ,SOME BIG M$IA \TLET IS 9T]VIEW+ ,RON ,JOHNSON :ILE WE YELL AT !M4 ,HE'S GOOD ) WORDS1 BUT :ATEV] HE SAYS IS NOT ! ANSW] TO ! QUE/IONS & FEEL+S WE HAVE4 ,:AT C\LD HE ANSW] TO \R SATISFACTION8 ,HE'S LIT]ALLY ! BADGE & ! GUN ?AT HOLDS IT ALL TOGE!R4 ,I CAN SEE ! ,AUGU/ SWEAT DRIPP+ D[N HIS FACE1 & IT'S ESPECIALLY %9Y 9 ! BRI<T LI<TS ( ! M$IA CAM]AS4 ,HE'S REALLY TRY+ TO BE A GOOD GUY4 ,I SAW ,JESSE ,JACKSON WALK+ ?R\< ! CR[D E>LI]1 A L>GE 5T\RAGE FOLL[+ HIM4 ,LAT] ON AT HOME1 ,I SEE A VIDEO TAK5 E>LI] AT ! ,MC,DONALDS P>K+ LOT D[N ! /REET ( SOME GUYS CONFRONT+ HIM1 YELL+ AT HIM TO GET \T1 TO TAKE HIS EXPLOITATIVE %IT SOME:]E ELSE4 

,!RE >E UNI=M$ POLICE 9 ! CR[D2 !Y >E ALL BLACK & SEEM TO BE ONLY HI<] UP (FICIALS4 ,= ! MO/ P>T1 !Y PR[L >\ND SAFELY & GET 9 CONV]SATIONS ) FOLKS4 ,ONE BLACK POLICE LIEUT5ANT TALKS AB\T H[ !RE'S A NE$ = MORE BLACK-[N$ BUS9ESSES1 ?AT IF BLACK PEOPLE CONTROLL$ !IR [N ECONOMY1 !Y'D BE F9E4 ,!Y'D /OP KILL+ EA* O!R1 BLAH BLAH BLAH4 ,HE MAKES SOME RACIALIZ$ G5]ALIZATIONS AB\T O!R E?NIC GR\PS HE CONSID]S MORE BUS9ESS-M9D$4 0,! ,>ABS1 !Y RUN A TI<T %IP4 ,!Y'RE QUIET4 ,N[ ! ,ASIANS1 !Y WORK H>D1 & :5 !Y LEAVE WORK TO GO HOME1 !Y KEEP TO !MSELVES4 ,Y\ NEV] SEE !M6 ,!Y DON'T DO CRIME2 ,IT'S LIKE1 :]E DO !Y EV5 LIVE8 ,Y\ DON'T EV5 KN[ :]E !Y LIVE BECAUSE !Y >E SO QUIET & UNOBTRUSIVE4 ,IT'S BECAUSE !Y HAVE SOME?+ TO DO40 ,PEOPLE >E LAU<+ AT HIS RACIAL TROPES4 

,EV]Y ONCE 9 A :ILE1 PEOPLE YELL AT ! POLICE OR ?R[ SOME?+1 BUT IT'S PRETTY *ILL4 ,NOT 5TIRELY A LAWLESS ZONE4 

,OV] ! LA/ FEW DAYS1 ON ( ! MO/ 9T]E/+ DEVELOPM5TS IS ! NUMB] ( PEOPLE WE>+ MASKS4 ,UNLIKE ! FA%ION ( ! ,N,B,P,P1 MASKS SEEM TO RESONATE ) A LOT ( FOLKS 9 ! CR[D4 ,! FACELESSNESS ( ! MOM5T1 ! LAWLESSNESS ( ! SITUATION1 & ! FEEL+ ?AT :AT HAPP5$ TO ,MIKE ,BR[N C\LD HAPP5 TO MANY PEOPLE H]E MAKES ! MASKS COME ACROSS AS A /ATEM5T AGA9/ BE+ EASILY DEF9$ & CORRALL$4 

,! RANGE ( AGES ( PEOPLE WE>+ MASKS IS BROAD4 ,LITTLE KIDS1 OLD PEOPLE1 MOMS1 TE5AGE KIDS4 ,IT'S CRAZY4 

 ! MAGICAL /ON] SOJ\RN4 

  

,NI<T FALLS4 ,I'VE BE5 H]E = H\RS & IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL NEV] 5D4 ,I'M />T+ TO TIRE & LAY D[N ON ! SIDEWALK TO RE/4 ,A HELICOPT] FLIES OV]HEAD & %9ES ITS SPOTLI<T ON US4 ,A LOT ( US FLIP IT (F & YELL AT IT4 ,A BLACK GUY LAU<S AT ! :ITE KID--ME6--FLIPP+ (F ! <ETTO BIRD ) HIS BIRD & (F]S ME HIS BLUNT4 ,I TAKE A FEW DRAGS &1 &1 &444 :OA444 ,! SC5E TAKES ON A :OLE NEW ATMOSPH]E4 

,WE TALK A BIT AB\T ?IS :OLE SC5E1 BOND+ A LITTLE OV] \R ANNOYANCE AT ! HELICOPT] & H[ HAPPY WE >E AB\T ! WILDNESS ( ?IS NI<T4 ,EV5TUALLY1 HE GIVES ME ! RE/ ( ! BLUNT & HEADS (F4 

,I'M WALK+ ?R\< ! CR[D4 ,! C>S >E /ILL HONK+--!Y NEV] /OPP$2 IT'S PRETTY UNN]V+1 AMPLIFI$ 9 MY HAZE4 ,L>GE GR\PS ( PEOPLE >E EV]Y:]E4 ,A S\ND SY/EM IS PLAY+ FROM A BOX TRUCK READ+ 0,NO ,%OOT6 ,NO ,LOOT60 ,I READ ?IS AS A SUBTLE EXPRESSION ( SUPPORT = ! LOOT+3 IF Y\ DON'T %OOT1 WE WON'T LOOT4 ,PEOPLE >E DANC+ TO HIP-HOP RADIO SONGS4 ,EV]Y ONCE & A:ILE ,LIL ,BOOSIE'S 0,FUCK ! ,POLICE0 COMES ON4 ,! MUSIC KEEPS CUTT+ \T BECAUSE PEOPLE >E /REAM+ IT FROM ! 9T]NET4 ,EV]Y TIME IT CUTS \T1 ! CR[D GOES WILD JE]+ AT ! ,D,J4 

,I W&] & /& >\ND1 SOAK+ 9 ALL ! IMPOSSIBLE MOM5TS4 ,I'M /ON$3 0,I'M 9 ?IS HI/ORICAL VORTEX &1 MAN1 ,I CAN'T EV5 CONCEIVE ( :AT ?IS TIME OR SPACE IS4 ,IT'S SO VA/60 ,EV5TUALLY1 ,I MEET UP ) FRI5DS4 ,WE GO TO ! C> & ?9K AB\T LEAV+4 ,WE >E SITT+ 9 ! TRUNK ( ! HAT*BACK1 TALK+ AB\T ! SC5E1 :5 A BUN* ( PEOPLE 9 A C>--WELL1 9SIDE & ON TOP ( IT--/OP 9 FRONT ( US & />T TO S]5ADE US ) SOME SONG ?AT ,I DON'T KN[4 ,IT S\NDS AMAZ+4 ,WE ALL LAU< & SMILE4 ,IT'S BEAUTIFUL4 

,AS ! NI<T WE>S ON1 ! ,NATION & ! ,N,B,P,P TRY TO IMPOSE !IR PEOPLE'S 0CURFEW40 ,IT'S A PA!TIC ATTEMPT AT 0COMMUNITY POLIC+10 & IT DOESN'T WORK V]Y WELL4 ,!Y DRAG SOME CONES 9 ! /REET1 TELL PEOPLE TO GO HOME1 ANN\NC+ ?AT ! P>TY IS 0OV]40 ,Y\'VE HAD Y\R FUN1 N[ GO TO SLEEP4 ,LOTS ( >GUM5TS 5SUE4 ,USUALLY1 9 ! 5D1 PEOPLE JU/ DRIVE >\ND ! CONES4 ,AT ONE PO9T1 A MAN GETS \T ( HIS C> & ?R[S ! CONE ON ! SIDEWALK & DRIVES ?R\<4 ,!SE WANNABE POLICE1 JU/ LIKE ! O!R ONES WE'RE FI<T+1 DON'T REALLY WANT US TO DANCE4 

,?IS MOM5T WAS 9CONCEIVABLE DAYS AGO1 BUT N[ IT ISN'T4 ,BLACK & POOR PEOPLE >E NOT GIV5 SPACE OR ATT5TION 9 ?IS P>T ( ! WORLD4 ,PEOPLE >E F9ALLY GETT+ SOME P[] 9 !IR [N WAY1 9 !IR [N WORDS1 UNAPOLOGETICALLY1 ) A MIDDLE F+] TO ! LAW1 REFUS+ TO BE JU/ ANO!R _?HA%TAG OR DEA? = ACTIVI/S TO USE4 ,9/EAD ( LI/5+ TO ! PREA*]S & REVOLUTION>IES TELL+ Y\ TO GO HOME1 9/EAD ( GETT+ LOCK$ UP1 POLIC$1 OR KILL$ = BE+ :O Y\ >E1 Y\ %\LD BE ABLE TO BE :O Y\ >E4 ,H[ T]RIBLE ?AT IT TAKES A COMBATIVE MOM5T = MANY SIMPLY TO BE4 

,AUGU/ #ae 

  

,NO MATT] :AT ! POLICE DO1 IT JU/ 5RAGES US4 

,TODAY1 IT'S CLE> ?AT ! MORE ,P,R-SAVVY POLICE HI<]-UPS >E BATTL+ TO REGA9 ! LEGITIMACY !Y'VE LO/ OV] ! PA/ FEW DAYS4 ,LIKE YE/]DAY1 !Y CONT9UE TO WALK ?R\< ! CR[DS & M+LE4 ,SOME COPS EV5 HAVE ! GALL TO SAY ?AT WE CAN POLICE \RSELVES--?AT ?IS IS A SPACE = GRIEV+ & ! POLICE %\LD BACK (F4 ,!Y'RE ADMITT+ !IR LACK ( LEGITIMACY1 BUT ALSO >E /ILL POLIC+ US BY PROXY BY DEPUTIZ+ ?OSE :O WANT TO VOLUNTE]4 ,BY 0POLIC+ \RSELVES10 !Y MEAN LETT+ POLITICAL & RELIGI\S CULTS LIKE ! ,N,B,P,P & ! ,NATION ( ,ISLAM POLICE US4 

,RON ,JOHNSON MAKES AN APPE>ANCE LAT] ?AT DAY & WE SURR\ND HIM4 ,9 A SURREAL SC5E1 MANY PEOPLE >E S++ HIS PRAISES :ILE MANY O!RS >E DO+ ! OPPOSITE4 ,WE'RE SCREAM+ AT HIM TO GET US SOME K9D ( JU/ICE4 ,I CAN SEE ?AT 5DLESS SWEAT ROLL+ D[N HIS =EHEAD4 ,HE'S N]V\S & IT IS HOT \T1 TOO4 ,HE CAN'T ANSW] ANY ( \R QUE/IONS4 ,! POLICE KILL$ ,MIKE ,BR[N1 !Y MURD]$ HIM1 & N[ !Y WANT PEOPLE TO BE CALM & CIVIL1 TO WAIT--TO WAIT = SOME?+ WE ALL ALREADY KN[3 ?AT ! COP :O KILL$ HIM WILL GET ! B5EFIT ( ! D\BT4 

,WE'RE ! CRAZY ONES1 ! IRRATIONAL1 EMOTIONAL ONES CALL+ = BLOOD4 ,! POLICE >E COLD1 LOGICAL1 & LEGALI/IC4 0,I CAN'T ANSW] ?AT4 ,IT'S A PROCESS4 ,Y\'LL HAVE TO WAIT1 LET JU/ICE TAKE ITS C\RSE--PLEASE--PLEASE--BE PATI5T UNTIL ! GR& JURY IS OV]10 HE SAYS TO US4 ,SOON MORE PEOPLE SURR\ND HIM & HE />TS TO WALK BRISKLY BACK TO HIS C>4 ,HE'S HOT1 HE'S /RESS$1 BUT NOT ANGRY1 JU/ SC>$--! LONG] HE'S H]E1 ! MORE 9C5S$ WE MI<T GET4 ,HE'S TRY+ TO KEEP \R ANG] FROM SPREAD+4 ,WE SURR\ND ! C> = A MOM5T & ITS SIR5S BUZZ AT US4 ,SOME ( US CONT9UE TO %\T 9SULTS1 ASK+ HIM TO RELEASE ! NAME ( ! COP :O %OT ,MIKE ,MIKE1 :ILE O!RS YELL AB\T H[ !Y WANT ! COP PUT 9 PRISON4 ,SOME CALL = HIS DEA?1 = ! COPS TO 0BR+ HIM TO US40 

,CONTR>Y TO ! PANN$ *ANT ?AT ONE HE>S AT C]TA9 DEMON/RATIONS--0?IS IS :AT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE0--?IS IS DEF9ITELY NOT :AT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE4 ,?IS IS A FIRM *ALL5GE TO IT4 ,! DEMOCRATIC /ATE HAS VOT$ 9 & 5=C$ SOME ( ! VILE/ ACTS 9 REC5T HI/ORY1 9CLUD+ ! G5OCIDE ( NATIVE PEOPLES & *ATTEL SLAV]Y ( BLACK PEOPLE4 ,DEMOCRACY & ! AV5UES ( POLITICAL *ANGE IT (F]S US HAVE NEV] REALLY S]V$ ANYONE EXCEPT ?OSE :O [N EV]Y?+--9CLUD+1 9 ! PA/1 ?OSE :O LEGALLY [N$ MANY ( ! ANCE/ORS ( PEOPLE 9 ?IS CR[D4 

,MOB-LIKE1 WE >E ASK+ = ! HEAD ( ! COP :O MURD]$ ,MIKE ,BR[N1 SAY+ ?AT IF WE DON'T GET AN 9DICTM5T1 WE'LL %UT EV]Y?+ D[N4 ,!RE'S A VEIL$ ?REAT ( >SON & GUNFIRE IMPLI$4 ,!RE IS SOME?+ V]Y P[]FUL AB\T ?IS4 ,IF ! SUPPOS$LY NEUTRAL JU/ICE SY/EM DOESN'T DELIV]1 MANY PLACES MI<T BURN4 ,!Y TELL US TO LET JU/ICE TAKE ITS C\RSE1 BUT WE KN[ IT'S JU/ US 9 ! 5D4 

,IT'S AMAZ+ TO BE 9 A SITUATION 9 :I* ! POLICE & ?OSE 9 P[] CAN'T DO ANY?+ RI<T4 ,RI<T N[1 IT'S DANG]\S = !M TO ?9K ON !IR TOES1 BECAUSE !Y CAN'T DO ANY?+ RA%1 EV5 IF !Y'RE GETT+ ATTACK$4 ,!Y CAN'T FI<T BACK 9 ! WAYS ?AT W\LD BE EFFECTIVE1 EV5 IF !Y WANT TO4 ,!Y'RE BE+ =C$ TO FOLL[ A *A9 ( COMM&4 ,9 ! CR[D1 WE DON'T HAVE ONE ( ?OSE1 AT LEA/ NOT =MALLY1 SO IT'S H>D = !M TO MANAGE US4 ,!Y SEEK A LEAD] TO GROOM :O C\LD CALM US D[N1 A DISCIPL9$ & PR$ICTABLE =MATION TO /& (F AGA9/1 BUT !Y CAN'T F9D SOMEONE TO CALM US D[N NOR A UNI=M =MATION TO /RATEGIZE AGA9/4 

,?IS CONFLICT CANNOT BE /OPP$ RI<T N[ BECAUSE !RE >E TOO MANY ( US4 ,)\T A D\BT1 ?IS GIVES US SOME ADVANTAGE4 ,!Y MU/ MOVE SL[LY 9 ?IS SITUATION SO AS NOT 9FLAME US4 ,BUT !Y CAN'T HELP BUT 9FLAME US SIMPLY BY BE+ !RE4 

,SO TODAY1 !Y PLEAD ) US TO WAIT = ALL ! FACTS1 TO LET JU/ICE TAKE ITS C\RSE1 TO CALM D[N1 TO 5GAGE 9 PRODUCTIVE CONV]SATION4 ,!Y TELL US ?AT !Y UND]/& \R SADNESS1 \R ANG]1 \R LIVES4 ,:AT A TRICK3 !Y'RE ! ONES ) !IR F+]S ON ! TRIGG]S ?AT PUT SOME ( US 9 C(F9S1 ! ONES ) ! KEYS TO ! JAIL CELLS WE F9D \RSELVES 9 SO (T54 ,ALL ! SOLUTIONS !Y PROPOSE LEAD US RI<T BACK TO444 !M4 

,LA/ NI<T WAS FE/IVE1 BUT IT WAS /ILL T5SE4 ,NO ONE =GOT ?AT ,MIKE ,BR[N WAS GONE4 ,!Y'RE LETT+ US CONGREGATE1 LETT+ US PROCESS \R EMOTIONS 9 ?IS SPACE1 BUT IT'S NOT 5\< TO BR+ ,MIKE ,BR[N BACK4 ,! POLICE DON'T YET KN[ H[ COMBATIVE SOME ( US WANT BE4 ,WE CAN NEV] BE SATISFI$ BECAUSE !Y REALLY CAN'T GIVE US :AT WE REALLY WANT4 

,!Y MI<T HAVE TO BR+ BACK ! TANKS & TE> GAS4 

,>\ND NOON1 ! ,F]GUSON POLICE RELEASE SURVEILLANCE FOOTAGE TO ! M$IA ( ,MIKE ,BR[N SUPPOS$LY %OPLIFT+ CIG>ILLOS FROM A CORN] /ORE1 ,F]GUSON ,M>KET & ,LIQUOR1 BLOCKS FROM :]E HE WAS MURD]$4 ,! GRA9Y FOOTAGE %[S HIM SLIPP+ OV] ! C\NT] & GRABB+ SOME?+4 ,! /ORE[N] SEEM+LY CONFRONTS HIM1 BUT ,BR[N PU%ES HIM AWAY4 ,ALONGSIDE ?IS FOOTAGE1 !Y RELEASE ! NAME ( ! COP :O %OT HIM3 ,D>R5 ,WILSON1 A MAN :O LIV$ A PRETTY UNEV5TFUL LIFE BE=E ?IS4 ,! NAME DOESN'T MAKE ANYONE HAPPI]1 ESPECIALLY BECAUSE ( ! RELEASE ( ! FOOTAGE4 

,TONI<T1 ! POLICE >E GU>D+ ! M>KET444 

,! %OPKEEP] ALLEGES ?AT HE DIDN'T KN[ ! POLICE W]E GO+ TO RELEASE ! FOOTAGE4 ,HE'S SURELY AFRAID ( GETT+ HIS M>KET LOOT$ AGA9 & MAYBE ?IS TIME BURN$ 5TIRELY4 ,:5 !Y RELEASE ! FOOTAGE1 ! ,F]GUSON POLICE SAY ?AT ,D>R5 ,WILSON HAD NO IDEA AB\T ! 0ROBB]Y0 :5 HE /OPP$ ,MIKE ,BR[N ON ! /REET4 ,HE HAD M]ELY /OPP$ HIM = WALK+ 9 ! MIDDLE ( ! /REET4 ,IT'S CLE> ?AT ! RELEASE ( ! FOOTAGE IS MEANT AS DEF5SE MEASURE = ,WILSON1 A WAY TO DELEGITIMIZE ,BR[N4 

,MIKE ,BR[N WAS NOT AN ANGEL4 ,NO ONE IS4 ,ANGELS DON'T EXI/4 ,PEOPLE DO :AT !Y WANT REG>DLESS ( :AT ! LAW SAYS4 ,SOME ( IT MI<T BE RECKLESS4 ,SOME ( IT MI<T BE = SURVIVAL4 ,( C\RSE1 IT'S H>D TO SAY :AT HIS MOTIVATIONS W]E4 ,:E!R HE /OLE ! CIG>ILLOS MEANS NO?+ TO ME4 ,IF HE DID1 MORE P[] TO HIM--,I VALUE LIFE & !FT MORE ?AN ,I VALUE A CAPITALI/ BUS9ESS4 

,WE SURR\ND ! ,F]GUSON ,M>KET1 :]E ! P>K+ LOT IS FILL$ ) POLICE4 ,!Y'VE BECOME US$ TO US NOT CONFRONT+ !M OV] ! PA/ FEW DAYS4 ,ALL ( A SUDD51 WE SURGE T[>DS !M & !Y SCURRY AWAY4 ,WE'RE *ANT+ AT !M1 YELL+ AT !M TO GET \T4 ,SOME ( !M COME TO A L[ F5CE & !Y'RE CLIMB+ OV] IT1 SCURRY+ TO !IR C>S4 ,WE'RE PUTT+ !M 9 A PLACE !Y'RE R>ELY 9--IT'S COMICAL TO SEE4 ,AT SOME PO9T1 ! *A9-L9K F5CE POLE BREAKS FROM ! WEI<T ( !IR BODIES4 ,I LAU< AT ! T]ROR !Y FEEL4 ,WE'RE AB\T TO SURR\ND !M1 !RE'S SO MANY ( US4 ,!Y RU% TO !IR C>S & SPE$ (F4 

,A M9UTE LAT]1 9 ! DI/ANCE1 ,I SEE ?AT ! :OLE /REET AHEAD ( ME IS N[ L9$ ) POLICE TANKS FULL ( RIOT POLICE ADVANC+ T[>DS US4 ,!Y COME CLOS] & TUMBLE \T AS QUICKLY AS !Y CAN 9 !IR FULL RIOT GE>4 ,!N1 FROM ! RIOT VAN1 A PI]C+ CONT9U\S ,B,E,E,P,+ NOISE4 ,PREP>$1 ,I PUT MY E>PLUGS 94 ,I'D NEV] SE5--OR RA!R1 HE>D--!SE BE=E4 ,IT'S A ,LONG ,RANGE ,AC\/IC ,DEVICE--,L,R,A,D1 AS !Y CALL IT 9 POLICE J>GON4 ,) E>PLUGS1 IT DOESN'T S\ND TOO BAD2 ANYWAY1 NO ONE IS ?AT FAZ$ BY IT4 ,IT REALLY JU/ MAKES US MORE PISS$ & WE JU/ YELL L\D]4 

,RON ,JOHNSON'S FALSE PEACE IS COM+ TO AN 5D4 ,AFT] ALL1 SOME ( US DON'T WANT PEACE4 ,AS LONG AS WE >E H]E1 !Y >E GO+ TO NE$ POLICE TO PUT ?IS REBELLION \T4 ,RIOT POLICE L9E UP 9 FRONT ( US ON ,F]GUSON ,ROAD & ,W4 ,FLORISSANT4 ,WE'RE YELL+ AT !M1 ?R[+ ?+S AT !M1 *>G+ !M4 ,AN ,R,C,P MEMB] IS EI!R READ+ SOME?+ OR SOAP-BOX+4 ,IT JU/ ADDS TO ?IS *AOTIC MOM5T4 

,M$IA PHOTOGRAPH]S /& BETWE5 US2 !RE >E SO MANY CAM]AS FLA%+ ?AT IT'S BL9D+4 ,MO/ ( ! PHOTOGRAPH]S >E :ITE1 MO/ ( !IR SUBJECTS BLACK4 ,FLEET+ ?\<TS RU% ?R\< MY HEAD3 IS ?IS REALLY H[ !SE PEOPLE P>TICIPATE--VOYEURI/ICALLY1 ?R\< A L5S8 ,!IR PHOTOS MAKE GOOD RIOT PORN2 MAYBE !Y DO ?IS TO ILLUM9ATE ! PROBLEMS ( ! WORLD--BUT ?AT'S :AT EV]Y F5CE-SITT] SAYS6 ,9 ! 5D1 :E!R !Y LIKE IT OR NOT1 !Y ACT AS A SEE+ EYE ( ! /ATE4 ,:]E DO !Y DRAW ! L9E8 ,WILL !Y EV] PUT D[N ! CAM]A & HELP 9 ! FI<T8 ,OR >E !Y 9 IT = ! PRIZE1 ! PRE/IGE8 ,& :AT AB\T ALL !IR RIOT GE>8 ,!IR NEW GAS MASKS & ! BULLETPRO( VE/S ?AT LET !M /AY 9 ! FRAY ) FEW] CONSEQU5CES4 ,WE NE$ ?OSE MORE ?AN Y\ DO1 Y\ FUCK]S6 ,9 H9DSI<T1 !RE %\LD BE MORE PEOPLE :O TAKE !IR ?+S4 

,PEOPLE >E POS+ = ! CAM]AS4 ,NO ONE KN[S :AT'S GO+ ON2 ! POLICE >E FLU/]$4 ,WE C\LD GET TE> GASS$ AT ANY MOM5T1 BUT IT'S LIKE WE'RE ON ! R$ C>PET SURR\ND$ BY RIOT PAP>AZZI4 ,S\LS >E BE+ /OL5 = ! P]FECT %OT4 ,BUT WE'RE NOT MOVIE />S1 WE'RE NOBODIES TO BE =GOTT51 /OR$ ON A MEMORY C>D1 ID5TIFI$ BY ! POLICE TO >RE/ US LAT]1 MAYBE PUT 9 A R&OM CLIP 9 SOME DOCUM5T>Y1 A C(FEE-TABLE BOOK OR SOME ,D,O,J REPORT4 

,/ILL1 ! PRES5CE ( !SE VOYEURS ACTS AS A PHYSICAL BUFF] BETWE5 ! POLICE & US4 ,LIB]ALS >E FREAK+ AB\T H[ ! M$IA IS BE+ SUPPRESS$2 ?IS IS ONE ( ! REASONS :Y ! POLICE HAVE BE5 HESITANT TO TAKE ! /EPS !Y W\LD NE$ TO TAKE TO CONTROL ! CR[DS4 7,?IS444 & H[ MANY PEOPLE >E C>RY+47 ,AT SOME PO9T1 ! RIOT POLICE TELL M$IA TO LEAVE ! >EA4 ,?IS IS A SURE SIGN ?AT !Y'RE GO+ TO GAS US4 ,CONSID]+ !IR ,P,R IMAGE1 !Y PROBABLY DON'T WANT TO GAS 0NEUTRAL0 REPORT]S4 ,SOME >E LEAV+ & GO+ BEH9D ! RIOT L9E1 BUT A LOT ( !M >E /AY+ & IT'S MAK+ ! POLICE HESITANT TO %OOT4 ,GODDAMN1 !Y REALLY MU/ WANT ?AT PHOTO4 

,PEOPLE >E ?R[+ WAT] BOTTLES4 ,GLORY BE1 FROM ! ANTI-OPPRESSION HEAV5S1 A :ITE ALLY IS SCREAM+3 

0,/,O,P ,?,R,[,+ ,%,I,T6 ,! COMMUNITY DOESN'T WANT ?IS6 ,!Y'RE GONNA KILL US ALL6 ,!Y'RE GONNA %OOT US ALL6 ,/,O,P ,I,T60 

,!Y'RE REALLY DI/RESS$4 ,I WANT TO TELL !M TO GO HOME IF !Y >E SC>$1 & ?AT IT'S TOTALLY F9E IF !Y >E1 ,I'M SC>$ TOO4 ,RI<T N[1 IT'S NOT HELP+ ANYONE4 ,IT DOESN'T HELP TO SCREAM AT US LIKE WE'RE *ILDR54 ,?IS IS A T5SE SITUATION4 ,!RE IS 9DE$ ! REAL POT5TIAL ?AT ONE ( US C\LD GET HURT4 ,SOME PEOPLE KN[ ?IS1 BUT O!RS MI<T NOT BECAUSE !Y >E CAU<T UP 9 ! MOM5T4 ,PEOPLE >E ACT+ RECKLESSLY4 ,SOMETIMES :5 WE ACT RECKLESSLY1 WE OP5 UP NEW AV5UES444 & NEW TRAUMAS4 

,A BLACK MAN /&+ NE> ME SCOLDS ! SCREAM+ :ITE ALLY4 ,HE ASKS3 

0,IF Y\'RE NOT READY TO DIE1 !N :Y ! FUCK >E Y\ H]E80 

,IT KNOCKS ME \T4 ,IT'S NOT SOME?+ ,I FEEL 5TIRELY1 BECAUSE ,I WANT TO LIVE ON MY FEET1 TO FOLL[ A PA? ?AT LEADS TO COLLECTIVE JOY1 NOT COLLECTIVE DEA?4 ,BUT :AT HE'S SAY+ IS REAL4 ,PEOPLE WILL BE H>M$ 9 A /RUGGLE = JOY1 = A WORLD )\T *A9S1 & !RE WILL BE DEA?4 ,NE$LESS TO SAY1 IT %UTS ! :ITE ALLY UP4 

,I'VE OV]HE>D PEOPLE TALK+ AB\T DEA? & TALK$ ) SO MANY PEOPLE OV] ! PA/ FEW NI<TS AB\T IT1 AB\T CONFRONT+ POLICE1 AB\T SPILL+ BLOOD1 AB\T FEEL+ PA94 ,AS F> AS ,I CAN TELL1 NONE ( !M >E POLITICOS1 NONE ( !M CLAIM MEMB]%IP 9 ANY CULT4 ,I DON'T KN[ :O !Y >E4 ,BUT !Y >E PEOPLE :O HAVE *OS5 TO BE \T H]E & ,I WANT TO BE >\ND !M RI<T N[4 

 ,A SIGN ( SOCIAL CONTROL IS RE>+ ITS HEAD4 ,IT'S NOT COM+ FROM ! POLICE4 

  

,WE'RE 9 A /&(F ) ! POLICE4 ,WE>+ GAS MASKS1 !Y >E PO9T+ !IR ASSAULT RIFLES AT US4 ,CLIPS ?AT >E USUALLY FULL ( METAL BULLETS >E N[ FULL (--PLEASE GOD--RUBB] BULLETS4 ,! PEACEKEEP]S >E TRY+ TO CALM US D[N4 ,BLACK NATIONALI/S ,AN?ONY ,%AID & ,MALIK ,%ABAZZ1 ,/4 ,L\IS ,CITY ,ALD]MAN ,ANTONIO ,FR5*1 CL]GY1 ! ,N,B,P,P1 & ! ,N,O,I >E AMONG !M4 ,!Y >E MAK+ A HUMAN *A91 BUT !Y'RE NOT FAC+ ! POLICE1 !Y'RE FAC+ US1 TRY+ TO F5D US (F FROM ! POLICE4 ,EXASP]AT$1 !Y >E YELL+ AT US TO GO HOME1 TO GET ON ! SIDEWALK1 TELL+ US ?AT IF WE WANT ! POLICE TO LEAVE1 WE %\LD GO HOME4 ,PEOPLE >E YELL+ BACK AT !M3 0,LEAVE8 ,:Y %\LD WE LEAVE8 ,WE W]E H]E FIR/6 ,WE WANT ! POLICE TO LEAVE FIR/60 

,!RE'S A SEGM5T ( ! CR[D ?AT IS NOT COMPLY+ ) ANYONE :O IS TELL+ !M TO CALM D[N1 BE IT ! POLICE OR ! ELECT$ (FICIALS1 ! CL]GY1 ! OBSESSIVE ANTI-RACI/ LIB]ALS & SOCIAL M$IA RADICALS :O BLAME :ITE AN>*I/S = RIOT+1 ! SO-CALL$ REVOLUTION>IES :O >E PHYSICALLY BLOCK+ \R WAY TO ! POLICE4 ,! PRACTICAL-M9D$ FOOLS1 SURELY TRY+ TO SAVE \R UNDISCIPL9$ S\LS1 >E PREA*+ !IR POLITICAL OR RELIGI\S DOGMAS LIKE BROK5 RECORDS4 ,!Y >E TELL+ US ?AT WE >E 5DANG]+ \RSELVES1 ?AT WE >E ASK+ = IT1 ?AT N['S NOT ! TIME1 ?AT WE NE$ TO CALM D[N BECAUSE ! COMMUNITY NE$S TO HEAL & !Y DON'T WANT A RIOT4 ,!Y ALWAYS 9VOKE !IR FICTITI\S 0COMMUNITY40 

,:5 GR\PS LIKE ?OSE BLOCK+ US CAN'T GET ?R\< TO US1 :5 WE RESI/ !IR PLEAS = CALM1 !Y R$L9E US--\R ROCKS1 \R VIOL5CE1 \R TRAUMA1 \R SCREAMS1 \R P]SONALITY--\T ( HI/ORY LIKE A SPECULATOR :O B\<T /OCK 9 UPRIS+S YE>S AGO & IS N[ REAP+ ALL ! SOCIAL & POLITICAL CAPITAL ?AT !Y CAN4 ,N[ !Y'RE TRY+ TO FLA% !IR P[]1 TRY+ TO SELL1 SELL1 SELL BECAUSE ! M>KET IS RI<T & !Y HAVE A GOOD *ANCE ( COM+ \T ON TOP ) MORE RECRUITS & SOCIAL CAPITAL1 BUT SOME ( ! /OCK IS /ILL UNPR(ITABLE1 ROBB+ !M ( EXTRA PR(IT4 ,!Y NE$ ! EPIC BLACK FRE$OM FI<T] /ORY1 BUT NOT ) ! UNREP5TANT NON-HOMOG5\S BLACKNESS & CRASSNESS ?AT COMPRIS$ IT4 

,ON ! 9T]NET1 ON ! /REETS1 ON ! NEWS1 PEOPLE RESORT TO ! USUAL RACIAL TROPES3 ! BLACK PEOPLE 9 ?IS CR[D >E CRIM9ALS1 ?UGS FULFILL+ /]EOTYPES ( LAZY WELF>E RECIPI5TS4 ,OR1 FROM A MORE LIB]AL ANGLE1 BLACK PEOPLE >E JU/ /&+ !RE & ! POLICE >E %OOT+ GAS = NO REASON--! \TRI<T DESIRE = DE/RUCTION & ! ACTS ( VIOL5CE AGA9/ ! POLICE IS ONLY REPRES5T$ BY A C\PLE ( PEOPLE4 

,BO? AN 9NOC5CE N>RATIVE ?AT PITIES BLACK PEOPLE & ! REVULSION ) :I* PEOPLE RESPOND TO UNAPOLOGETIC BLACK REBELLION >E P]SPECTIVES ?AT RESORT TO RACIAL TROPES4 ,ONE P]SPECTIVE SEP>ATES 0BAD0 CRIM9AL BLACK PEOPLE 7! 9SURG5TS1 ! ONES :O LOOT1 ! ONES :O >5'T 0PROTE/]S07 FROM ! 0GOOD0 BLACK PEOPLE4 ,! O!R PORTRAYS AN ET]NALLY VICTIMIZ$ & HOMOG5\S BLACK PEOPLE :O CAN'T TAKE ! 9ITIATIVE & FI<T = !MSELVES1 :O !RE=E >E SWAY$ BY ANYONE1 ESPECIALLY :ITE PEOPLE4 ,:ITE PEOPLE HAVE NO PLACE 9 ?IS /RUGGLE UNLESS !Y ACCEPT BLACK LEAD]%IP--SPECIFICALLY1 ! BLACK LEAD]%IP 9 FRONT ( US =M+ A PHYSICAL & M5TAL HUMAN *A9 TO /OP US FROM ATTACK+ ! POLICE :O KEEP ! WORLD ! WAY IT IS4 

,NOT SURPRIS+LY1 ! POLICE HAVE PICK$ UP ?IS DISC\RSE1 TOO1 LEV]AG+ BO? ! CRIM9AL & PITY N>RATIVES TO !IR ADVANTAGE4 ,IT'S LAU<ABLE4 ,RON ,JOHNSON1 AT ONE PO9T1 BLAMES MO/ ( ! VIOL5CE & GUNFIRE ON ! 0,CANFIELD ,BOYS10 A POSSIBLY MY?ICAL GANG ( BLACK KIDS :O LIVE ON ,CANFIELD ,DRIVE4 ,! 9FAM\S ,/4 ,L\IS CITY POLICE UNION SPOKESP]SON1 ,JEFF ,ROORDA1 WILL LAT] WRITE A BOOK CALL$ ,F]GANI/AN AB\T HIS ,F]GUSON EXP]I5CE1 9CLUD+ 9V5T$ /ORIES AB\T ! 0AN>*I/S0 :O SUPPOS$LY BR\<T GUNS = PEOPLE 9 ! /REETS TO USE4 ,IT'S LAU<ABLE1 ?AT AS AN EX-COP1 HE IGNORES ?AT ?IS IS ,/4 ,L\IS1 :]E GETT+ A GUN--LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY--IS EASY = MO/ ANYONE4 ,HE ALSO WRITES ?AT :ITE AN>*I/S TAU<T BLACK PEOPLE H[ TO BURN D[N BUILD+S 9 A WAY ?AT LEAVES NO TRACE4 ,!RE REALLY IS V]Y LITTLE DI/ANCE BETWE5 ! SUPPOS$ ANTI-RACI/S & ! POLICE4 

,IT'S SC>Y ?AT1 9 ?IS SITUATION 9 :I* PEOPLE >E FI<T+ AGA9/ RACE & CLASS SOCIETY1 EV5 ?OSE :O >E SYMPA!TIC TO ! FI<T WANT TO RE-IMPOSE ! MAT]IAL & IDEOLOGICAL CONTROLS ( RACIALIZATION & CLASS4 ,!Y WILL GO SO F> AS TO RE-VICTIMIZE OR CRIM9ALIZE ?OSE :O >E RESI/+ ! V]Y 9/ITUTIONS ?AT MAKE !M VICTIMS & CRIM9ALS3 RACE1 CAPITALI/ PROP]TY RELATIONS1 ! *UR*1 ! POLICE4 ,IT'S AS IF !Y DON'T WANT ?+S TO *ANGE4 

,!RE'S A S5SE ( URG5CY ?AT ,I FEEL4 ,I FE> ?AT IF WE LOSE ?IS SPACE TONI<T1 WE MAY V]Y WELL DISAPPE> AGA9 BACK 9TO ! WORLD ( DAILY MIS]IES4 ,IT'S LIKE WE'RE BE+ SUCK$ D[N A DRA9 9 A :IRLPOOL & WE DON'T HAVE ANY?+ TO PLUG ! HOLE4 

 ,E>LY ,AUGU/ #af 

  

,AFT] A LONG P]IOD ( T5SE NEGOTIATION1 ! POLICE />T TO LEAVE4 ,WE *E]1 TELL+ !M TO FUCK (F4 

,N[ WE'RE CELEBRAT+4 ,!Y'RE PULL+ AWAY1 BUT BE=E !Y'VE ALL LOAD$ UP1 ONE ( ! PIGS WALK+ BACKW>DS TO ! VAN SLYLY ROLLS A TE> GAS CANI/] & A FLA%BANG GR5ADE T[>DS US4 ,HE GRABS ON TO ! VAN AS IT PEELS (F4 ,! GR5ADE EXPLODES & WE SCATT]4 ,WE'RE ALL SCREAM+4 0,:AT ! FUCK60 ,IT WAS LIKE A FIREWORK S5D+ SP>KS EV]Y DIRECTION4 ,MY E>S >E R++4 

,I RUN TO A P>K+ LOT ) A FRI5D4 ,FIFTE5 FEET FROM US1 ,I SEE A MAN PUT A GUN \T ( ! W9D[ ( HIS C> & %OOT IT UP 9 ! AIR4 ,I HIDE BEH9D ANO!R C>4 ,I COME UPON A MO!R & H] CRY+ *ILD4 ,HE'S %OOT+ ALL ! R\NDS 9 HIS CLIP4 ,9T]SP]S$1 ,I HE> ! MO!R SCREAM+--POP6 POP6 POP6--9TO A PHONE1 T]RIFI$--POP6 POP6 POP6--( ! %OTS1 TELL+ :OEV] TO COME GET--POP6 POP6 POP6--!M1 GET !M ! FUCK--POP6 POP6 POP6--\T ( !RE4 ,IT SC>ES ME1 TOO4 

,I'VE NEV] BE5 ?IS CLOSE TO GUN%OTS ON ! /REET BE=E4 ,I HE> !M ALMO/ EV]Y DAY 9 MY NEI<BORHOOD1 BUT !Y ALWAYS SEEM F> AWAY2 ,I DON'T USUALLY /OP TO ?9K AB\T !M4 ,?IS MAN %OOT+ IS T]RIFY+ A LOT ( US1 BUT IT'S PROBABLY MAK+ ! POLICE ?9K TWICE AB\T COM+ BACK4 

,SOME PEOPLE >E MAK+ FUN ( O!RS = HID+3 0,HE %OT UP 9 ! AIR1 IT ISN'T NO BIG DEAL1 Y'ALL60 

,A VOICE ( REASON RESPONDS3 0,I DON'T KN[ :AT Y\'RE SAY9' MAN1 BULLETS DO COME D[N60 

 ,IF Y\ SEE AN OP5+1 TAKE IT6 

  

,AS ! POLICE LEAVE1 SOME KIDS >E SMA%+ \T /ORE W9D[S4 ,! FIR/ TO GO IS A BEAUTY /ORE4 7,! NEXT DAY1 ,I WILL SEE A NEWS /ORY ?AT 9T]VIEW$ ! [N]S ( ! /ORE4 ,BEFUDDL$1 !Y'LL REM>K1 0,WE WOND]$ :Y PEOPLE W]E BUY+ SO MANY H&K]*IEFS407 

,BO>DS >E COM+ (F ( O!R /ORES4 ,A LOT ( PEOPLE >E GETT+ EXCIT$4 

,A MIDDLE-AG$ BLACK MAN CAT*ES MY EYE & />TS TO TALK TO ME4 ,HE LAM5TS ?AT PEOPLE >E LOOT+ AGA94 ,HE SEEMS PRETTY LO/ AB\T :AT TO DO4 ,I TELL HIM ?AT ,I ?9K ?IS IS ALL = ! BE/4 ,A WOMAN BEH9D ME IS SCREAM+ AB\T H[ MU* %E HATES ?IS PLACE3 

0,AHHHHH1 HELL YEAH6 ,FUCK ?IS /RIP6 

,BURN IT ALL D[N1 

,I HONE/LY DON'T GIVE A FUCK1 

IT'S ALL A 

BUN*A FUCK9' BULL%IT ANYWAY60 

,! ,F]GUSON ,M>T GETS IT1 BUT NOT )\T AN 9T]NAL /RUGGLE4 ,! ,NEW ,BLACK ,PAN!R POLITICOS & !IR ALLIES--:O M$IA \TLETS LAT] CALL$ 0GANG MEMB]S0-->E GU>D+ ! /ORE1 PHYSICALLY /OPP+ PEOPLE FROM GETT+ 94 ,ONE ( !M DEF9ITELY HAS A GUN4 ,HE'S BR&I%+ IT >\ND & PEOPLE >E RUNN+ FROM HIM4 ,?IS AS%OLE VALUES ?IS SNIT* BUS9ESS = SOME REASON4 ,BUT LIKE ! TRUE CU/OM]S ?AT WE >5'T1 WE'LL TAKE \R BUS9ESS ELSE:]E1 ?ANK Y\ V]Y MU*6 ,A FEW /ORES D[N1 PEOPLE >E BREAK+ 9TO ANO!R LIQUOR_/CONV5I5CE /ORE1 ,SAM'S ,MEAT & ,LIQUOR4 ,! EXASP]AT$ & \TNUMB]$ ,N,B,P,P @& CREW >E TOO BUSY GU>D+ ! ,F]GUSON ,M>T TO NOTICE ! CR[D MOV+ TO ANO!R PLACE4 

,TOO SC>$ TO GO 9--ALSO1 ,I'VE NEGLECT$ TO BR+ A MASK--,I /& \TSIDE4 ,CR[DS >E COM+ 9 & \T ( ! PLACE2 SOME PEOPLE >E C>RY+ MORE BOTTLES ( ALCOHOL ?AN ,I EV] ?\<T A P]SON C\LD PHYSICALLY C>RY4 ,ONE ( !M FALLS RI<T NEXT TO ME4 ,I CONSID] DR9K+ IT1 BUT1 UNSURE IF ! POLICE WILL RAID ?IS >EA AT ANY MOM5T1 ,I DECIDE ,I DON'T WANT TO RISK BE+ CAU<T ) IT4 ,LITTLE DID ,I KN[ !Y W\LD NEV] COME ?AT NI<T4 

,! M$IA >E TAK+ PHOTOS ( ?OSE :O >E LOOT+1 GETT+ !IR MONEY %OT4 ,FRI5DS GO UP TO !M & SCREAM AT !M TO /OP--!IR PHOTOS >E GO+ TO HELP ! POLICE MAKE >RE/S4 ,ONE MEMB] ( ! PRESS TALKS AB\T ! ,FIR/ ,AM5DM5T2 ANO!R IS %OCK$ ?AT WE'D WANT TO DEF5D ANYONE'S 0RI<T0 TO LOOT & COMMIT FELONI\S ACTS6 ,! PHOTOGRAPH]S DON'T WANT TO LEAVE4 ,AT SOME PO9T1 ONE ( ! PEOPLE LOOT+ ?REAT5S TO PULL A KNIFE ON ONE ( !M4 ,AFT] ?AT1 !Y LEAVE QUICKLY4 

,= H\RS1 PEOPLE LOOT & DR9K4 ,I SEE C>S PULL UP1 FILL UP1 & LEAVE4 ,SOME EV5 RETURN4 ,I'M YELL+ AT ANYONE ,I SEE :O IS NOT WE>+ A MASK TO PUT ONE ON4 ,MO/ PEOPLE SMILE AT ME & PULL !IR COLL>S OV] !IR FACES4 ,IT'S NOT JU/ Y\NG PEOPLE OR PEOPLE ?AT W\LD FIT ! /]EOTYPE ( 0CRIM9ALS0 OR 0GANG MEMB]S10 AS ! M$IA & POLICE WANT Y\ TO BELIEVE2 IT'S A L>GE CROSS SECTION ( PEOPLE1 BO? Y\NG & OLD4 ,AT SOME PO9T1 MY FRI5DS & ,I CROSS PA?S 5C\NT] SOME MIDDLE-AG$ GUYS & %>E A DR9K4 ,ONE ( !M ASKS ME :AT TIME IT IS1 !N /OPS ME3 0,NO1 DON'T TELL ME6 ,FUCK1 ,I HAVE TO GO TO WORK SO SOON4440 ,! RIOT SEEMS TO /OP TIME4 

,I WAS HUNGRY & ?IR/Y4 ,I HAD A FEW DR9KS1 ATE SOME *IPS1 GAVE SOME FOOD & DR9K TO O!R PEOPLE--ALL FROM UNKN[N LOCATIONS1 ( C\RSE4 ,LAT] ON1 ! TURN LANE ON ! /REET WILL BE L9$ ) EMPTY LIQUOR BOTTLES4 

,IT'S #d AM & ,I'M />T+ TO GET TIR$4 ,SOMEONE HAS TRI$ TO SET FIRE TO ! ,SAM'S4 ,I WAT* A SMALL FLAME BURN1 GR[ A BIT1 !N DIE D[N1 !N GR[ AGA94 ,I />T TO ?9K IT MI<T BE A GOOD TIME TO GO HOME4 ,! CR[D IS SMALL & ,I C]TA9LY DON'T NE$ TO BE /&+ NE> A BURN+ BUILD+--BAD OPTICS4 ,SOME ACTIVI/S MI<T CLICK A R&OM BLURRY PICTURE ( ME SMIRK+ )--IF Y\ CROSS Y\R EYES EV] SO SLI<TLY--:AT APPE>S TO BE A LI<T] 9 MY H&4 ,BUT BE=E ! FIRE CAN SPREAD1 ! ,N,B,P,P & AN ALD]MAN1 ,ANTONIO ,FR5*1 PUT IT \T ) SOME SODA4 

,AFT] A :ILE1 ! SMALL CR[D />TS :AT S\NDS LIKE A PROTE/ *ANT1 BUT IT'S NOT LIKE ANY ,I'VE HE>D BE=E4 0,W,A,L-,M,>,T6 ,W,A,L-,M,>,T6 ,W,A,L-,M,>,T60 ,AS PEOPLE *ANT1 WE GET 9TO \R C>S4 ,MANY SPE$ (F REALLY CRAZY & ANO!R C> NE>LY HITS \RS4 ,SURELY MANY PEOPLE >E WA/$4 ,& LIKE ?AT1 ! /RIP ( ,W4 ,FLORISSANT IS CLE>$4 ,I NEV] LE>N :E!R PEOPLE MADE IT TO ! ,WAL-,M>T4 

 ,AUGU/ #af 

  

,! RELEASE ( ! FOOTAGE ( ,MIKE ,MIKE ALLEG$LY /EAL+ FROM ! ,F]GUSON ,M>T 9FLAM$ A LOT ( US4 ,! H&S-(F POLIC+ POLICY ?AT HAD BE5 9/ITUT$ ! DAY BE=E ! VIDEO WAS RELEAS$ HAS BACKFIR$4 ,! FE/IV5ESS ( ! LA/ TWO DAYS HELP$ US GA9 MORE NUMB]S1 EMBOLD5+ US--EV5 ?\< IT'S H>D TO KN[ :O ?IS 0US0 IS1 ANYMORE4 ,?IS /RATEGY ( LETT+ PEOPLE BL[ (F /EAM FAIL$4 ,IT DIDN'T /OP US FROM DO+ :AT WE WANT$ TO DO4 ,! COMMUNITY POLICE =CE :O BLOCK$ US FROM ! POLICE LA/ NI<T FAIL$ TO /OP PEOPLE FROM TAK+ OV] ! /REET1 ATTACK+ ! SNIT* BUS9ESS1 & LOOT+ GOODS4 ,I CAN IMAG9E ! HAWKS ON ! POLICE =CE WANT+ BLOOD N[1 *ID+ ! MORE LIB]AL-M9D$ COPS = NOT COM+ 9 GUNS BLAZ+1 = BE+ NAIVE4 

,TODAY1 ! POLICE HOLD !IR PRESS CONF]5CE & HANG !IR HEADS1 /]N1 POIS$1 & BEFUDDL$ ALL AT ONCE4 ,!Y'RE DISAPPO9T$ 9 US4 ,!Y >E AT A LOSS AS TO H[ TO DISCIPL9E US4 ,!Y EMPHASIZE ?AT NO ONE'S LIFE WAS LO/ LA/ NI<T4 ,IT'S ! ONLY VICTORY !Y CAN CLAIM3 !Y DIDN'T HAVE TO KILL SOMEONE4 ,!Y KILL & IMPRISON PEOPLE EV]Y DAY & !N SCOLD US AB\T ! VALUE ( HUMAN LIFE4 

,LAT]1 !RE IS A M>* ORGANIZ$ BY ,MIKE ,BR[N'S FAMILY4 ,?\S&S >E !RE4 ,WE M>* TO ! ,F]GUSON POLICE /ATION4 ,IT'S A LONG WALK & ! HEAT & HUMIDITY IS TOO MU* = SOME TO BE>4 ,:5 WE GET !RE1 ! POLICE HAVE ALREADY AMASS$ TO GU>D ! /ATION4 ,WE'RE YELL+ AT !M ) ALL WE CAN MU/]4 ,PEOPLE >E CALL+ ! BLACK COPS ,UNCLE ,TOMS1 SAY+ H[ !Y'RE (T5 WORSE ?AN ! :ITE COPS4 ,= :AT SEEMS LIKE H\RS1 WE /& 9 ! HOT SUN1 SWEAT+ & GETT+ BURN$1 YELL+ AT L9ES ( /OIC COPS4 

,TONI<T1 ! POLICE WANT TO IMPOSE A B$TIME ON US4 ,MIDNI<T CURFEW4 ,AT ! PRESS CONF]5CE1 ,RON ,JOHNSON & CREW ?ANK ! ,NATION ( ,ISLAM & ! ,NEW ,BLACK ,PAN!RS = TRY+ TO KEEP ! PEACE LA/ NI<T4 ,GOV]NOR ,NIXON IS !RE1 TOO4 ,HE AU?ORIZES ! DEPLOYM5T ( ! ,NATIONAL ,GU>D IF ANY?+ GETS \T ( H&4 

,A FEW ORGANIZ$ POLITICAL GR\PS1 9CLUD+ ,MISS\RIANS ,ORGANIZ+ = ,RE=M & ,EMP[]M5T 7,M,O,R,E7 9 P>TICUL>1 CALL = PEOPLE TO VIOLATE ! CURFEW1 CIT+ ! FACT ?AT ! POLICE >E VIOLAT+ \R RI<T TO FREE SPEE*4 ,! /ATE ( ,MISS\RI DECL>ES ?AT !Y >E GO+ TO CALL 9 ! ,NATIONAL ,GU>D4 

 ,DROPS ( RA94 ,IF ! GOD ( ! ,*RI/IAN EVANGELICALS EXI/S1 HE CLE>LY DOESN'T WANT US TO BE H]E4 

  

,PEOPLE TALK AB\T A G5TLE LOV+ GOD & A JEAL\S V5GEFUL GOD--A GOD CONFLICT$ AB\T GIV+ US FREE WILL1 BECAUSE HE IS ALREADY AW>E ( :AT WILL HAPP5 IF HE LETS US ACT FREELY4 ,WE WILL VIOLATE HIS COMM&M5TS4 ,! LA/ FEW DAYS HAVE DEMON/RAT$ ?AT4 ,! G5TLE GOD WANTS TO KEEP US SAFE--MAYBE US+ ! RA9 TO GIVE US SOGGY CLO!S1 TO =CE US TO GO HOME SO WE CAN SLEEP 9 \R BLESS$ B$S 9 ! COM=T ( \R HOMES1 IF WE >E LUCKY 5\< TO HAVE HOMES4 ,GOD MI<T TELL US ?AT WE'RE FI<T+ ! GOOD FI<T1 BUT WE NE$ TO DO IT ) =GIV5ESS1 PATI5CE1 PEACE1 & LOVE1 OR O!R KEYWORDS PEOPLE USE TO SIGNIFY CIVILITY4 ,:5 WE DON'T LI/51 HE BECOMES BO? ANGRY & PITIFUL4 ,HE DEPLOYS ! REPRES5TATIVES ( HIS WILL AGA9/ US4 ,HE ?REAT5S US ) ET]NAL GUILT1 PURGATORY1 HELL1 S91 DEA?1 FE>1 ?UND]1 LI<TN+1 PRISON1 RUBB] BULLETS1 TE> GAS1 >RE/1 TRAFFIC TICKETS4 

,TALK+ AB\T ,GOD'S WILL US$ TO BE ONE ( ! WAYS ?AT PEOPLE JU/IFI$ G5OCIDE1 SLAV]Y1 ,MANIFE/ ,DE/9Y1 & SUBMISSION4 ,?IS SORT ( RELIGI\S REPRESSION IS WAN+ 9 SOME P>TS ( ! WORLD1 BUT IT IS /ILL V]Y /RONG 9 O!RS4 ,9 ! ,U,S1 ! /ATE & ITS LAWS >E NO LONG] DESCRIB$ AS REPRES5T+ ! IRON WILL ( ,GOD4 ,9/EAD1 ,GOD CONTROLS US ?R\< SELF-IMPOS$ DISCIPL9E4 

,! LAW & ! V>I\S SECUL> WAYS ?AT IT IS 5=C$--POLICE1 DRONES1 SURVEILLANCE CAM]AS1 ANKLE BRACELETS1 HELICOPT]S1 PRISONS-->E DIRECTLY DESC5D$ FROM ! RELIGI\S PURSUIT ( PURITY & CONTROL4 ,LIKE ,GOD1 ! LAW IS ABOVE US1 OBJECTIVE1 ) ! COLD & CALCULAT+ =MALITY ( LEGALESE4 ,IT CAN BE BO? OPPRESSIVE & REPRESSIVE1 DEP5D+ :O Y\ >E & H[ Y\ ACT AGA9/ IT4 ,IT IS BORN FROM FE>1 FROM ! DESIRE TO DIRECT ! 9F9ITE POSSIBILITIES ( LIFE 9TO A FEW WELL-WORN PA?S4 

,! LAW COMES FROM ! SAME TRADITION AS ! ,LORD1 A SET ( RULES 9T5D$ TO DICTATE BEHAVIOR = ! B5EFIT ( ?OSE :O RULE US--?OSE ) ! MO/ GUNS1 ! MO/ VOTES1 ! MO/ MONEY4 ,! LAW /&S BEH9D ! POLICE1 W>N+ US1 US+ ! VELVET GLOVE & *ID+ US 9 A LANGUAGE ?AT ALLUDES TO \R 0SAFETY40 

0,SAFETY0 IS ,ORWELLIAN D\BLESPEAK = VIOL5CE4 ,TONI<T1 ! RIOT POLICE W>N US AB\T ! CONSEQU5CES ( NOT FOLL[+ ! CURFEW4 ,IF Y\ DO NOT LEAVE1 Y\ WILL BE SUBJECT TO *EMICAL MUNITIONS & >RE/4 ,Y\ CAN BE H]E UNTIL MIDNI<T1 & IF Y\ WANT TO LEAVE JU/ BE=E ?AT1 H]E >E ! R\TES Y\ CAN SAFELY TAKE4 

,MALIK ,%ABAZZ IS H]E AGA9 TONI<T TO KEEP ! PEACE4 ,HE'S TELL+ US TO GO HOME1 ROAM+ ! CR[D ) HIS POSSE1 TRY+ TO CALM ! PEOPLE :O REACT TO HIS WORDS4 ,%ABAZZ IS A LAWY]4 ,HE'S GOOD AT DEBAT+4 

,OV] & OV]1 HE AIMS HIS MEGAPHONE AT ! 9DIVIDUALS :O >E /AY+3 0,WE CANNOT GU>ANTEE Y\R SAFETY TONI<T4 ,COME ON1 BLACK MAN1 GO HOME1 WE >5'T /RONG 5\< TO FI<T !M N[6 ,IF Y\ /AY1 !Y WILL >RE/ Y\ & Y\ WON'T GET BAIL$ \T4 ,Y\ WILL SP5D #i DAYS 9 JAIL = ?IS40 

,:AT8 ,WE CAN'T GU>ANTEE Y\R SAFETY8 ,DO WE EV5 KN[ Y\8 ,:O ASK$ Y\ TO GU>ANTEE \R SAFETY8 ,>E Y\ SURE Y\ DON'T BELONG ON ! O!R SIDE ( ! POLICE L9E8 

,! A=EM5TION$ ,M,O,R,E HAS CALL$ = PEOPLE TO VIOLATE ! CURFEW4 ,= A :ILE1 ! ORGANIZ]S >GUE ) EA* O!R OV] !IR MEGAPHONES4 ,SADLY1 ,M,O,R,E EV5TUALLY CAPITULATES & />TS TELL+ US ALL TO GO HOME1 AS WELL4 

,! SUPPOS$ REVOLUTION>IES & PROGRESSIVE POLITICIANS :O CLAIM TO SUPPORT ! DEMON/RATIONS PONTIFICATE & LIE4 ,!Y WANT US TO GO HOME1 JU/ LIKE ! COPS WANT US TO GO HOME4 ,! WAY !Y TALK1 !Y ACT AS IF !Y >E ! ONES :O BR\<T US \T H]E 9 ! FIR/ PLACE4 ,!Y >E US$ TO MANAG+ ! CR[DS AT ! DEMON/RATIONS ?AT OCCUR 9 !IR ACTIVI/ BUBBLES4 ,!Y SEE ANY CR[D AS A MASS ( BODIES TO DIRECT4 

0,GO HOME4 ,GONE4 ,GET4 ,GIT4 ,SK$ADDLE4 ,BEAT IT4 ,IT'S NOT TIME = Y\ TO BE H]E YET4 ,WE NE$ TO GET ALL BACKROOM DEALS1 ALL ! !ATRICS READY BE=E Y\ CAN COME \T & BE P>T ( ! PRODUCTION4 ,IT'S NOT ! TIME YET40 

,!Y RA9 CONT9UES & A LOT ( PEOPLE LEAVE4 ,! CR[D BE=E WAS HUGE1 N[ WE >E FEW]4 ,BUT !RE >E /ILL A LOT ( US4 ,! CLOCK /RIKES MIDNI<T & NO?+ MU* REALLY HAPP5S4 ,! ,N,B,P,P P>TY LEAVES1 BUT NOT BE=E SAY+1 0,?IS IS Y\R LA/ *ANCE1 WE W>N$ Y\60 ,! REPRES5TATIVES ( ,M,O,R,E HAVE EI!R LEFT OR /OPP$ SPEE*IFY+4 ,A CR[D ( US >E READY = :ATEV]4 ,I'M TALK+ ) A FEW R&OM PEOPLE1 ASK+ :AT WE'RE GO+ TO DO NEXT4 ,%\LD WE /AY OR GO8 ,%\LD WE ACT LIKE WE'RE GO+ TO /AY & !N LEAVE AT ! LA/ MOM5T BE=E ! POLICE TE> GAS US8 

,! CR[D MOVES BACK & =? T[>DS ! POLICE L9E & AWAY FROM IT1 ?R[+ ROCKS H]E & !RE4 ,! POLICE 9T]COM ON !IR BE>CAT TANK TELLS US ?AT WE HAVE TO LEAVE OR ELSE WE WILL BE SUBJECT TO >RE/4 ,EV]YONE IS LIKE1 0,F,U,C,K ,Y,\60 

,I SEE A LONE COP C> COME UP FROM BEH9D US4 ,ITS LI<TS >E FLA%+4 ,OR ELSE1 ,I ?9K !Y W]E--MEMORY GETS MIX$ ) TRAUMA & ADR5AL9E AT ?IS PO9T4 ,O!R PEOPLE NOTICE ! COP C>4 0,!Y'RE COM+ FROM ! BACK1 !Y'RE COM+ UP ON US FROM ! BACK60 ,A LOT ( PEOPLE />T TO RUN4 ,I RUN BACK & MEET UP ) A FRI5D4 ,I SAY ?AT WE %\LD PROBABLY RUN = IT & WE TAKE (F D[N ! ROAD4 

 ONE ?\S& EMOTIONS 

  

,SOMEONE 9 ! CR[D />TS TO %OOT T[>D ! POLICE C>-- 

,I SEE MY FRI5D ,I ?9K WE'RE GO+ TO BE F9E JU/ KEEP RUNN+ DON'T LOOK DON'T LOOK JU/ RUN ,I DON'T KN[ :]E ! BULLETS >E COM+ FROM ,I JU/ KN[ WE GOTTA RUN & TAKE COV] = A M9UTE & !N WE CAN BE ,O,K WE CAN ALL GO HOME & RE/ & EAT & SLEEP & LOVE EA* O!R /RUGGLE SNUGGLE MORE FI<T \R BATTLES & SEE ANO!R DAY LAU< UNTIL WE GR[ OLD REMEMB]+ ! MOM5TS ! ?+S WE W]E PR\D ( ! ?+S WE REGRETT$ ! WAYS WE CONTRIBUT$ TO ?IS BEAUTIFUL UGLY MOM5T ! WAYS WE WI% WE C\LD HAVE BUT ALIVE ALIVE HE>TS BEAT+ BREA?+ BREA?+ /ILL WORK+ =EV] TO DEFY GRAVITY 

,WE'RE RUNN+ HE'S RI<T 9 FRONT ( ME FIVE /EPS AWAY ,I HE> HIS SCREAM HE'S ON ONE LEG HOBBL+ ! O!R ONE 9 ! AIR COLLAPS+ BURN+ =EV] 9TO A DEEP MEMORY FALL+ TO ! GR\ND HIS /OMA* ON ! SIDEWALK SCREAM+ = AN 9/ANT & !N SIL5CE AN 9]T BODY COLLAPS$ FETAL POSITION 9 PA9 %OCK A BULLET TO ! HE>T 

,! GUNFIRE IS /ILL HAPP5+ ,I CAN'T TELL ! L9E ( FIRE ,I RUN OV] GRABB+ HIM ! %OTS >E FIR+ /ILL %OTS FIR$ %OTS %OTS %OTS T[>D ! POLICE C> FUCK FUCK GET L[ GET L[ OV] HIM TURN 9TO ! SMALLE/ BALL ,I CAN PLEASE DON'T HIT ME TOO HIT ! POLICE HIT !M NOT ME 

,ON ! GR\ND COV]+ HIM PUTT+ MY M\? TO HIS E> %OCK$ NOT SURE :Y BUT ,I'M :ISP]+ :ISP]+ 9 %OCK LIKE ,I DON'T WANT TO />TLE HIM ASK+ :AT HAPP5$ :AT HAPP5$ >E Y\ ,O,K PLEASE >E Y\ ,O,K >E Y\ ,O,K NO RESPONSE A MOAN ,I GRAB HIS >M %AKE IT ,I LOOK OV] & SEE MUSCLE COM+ \T ( HIS LEG AN EXIT W\ND NO BLOOD BUT HE'S NOT RESPOND+ NOT MOV+ NO BLOOD ANY:]E 

,!Y RUN \T ( R\NDS ,I DON'T EV5 NOTICE 

,PEOPLE SURR\ND ME FRI5DS COME UP TO ME ,I SAY HE'S %OT MY FRI5D ASKS BY :AT WAS IT A RUBB] BULLET ,I LOOK HIM 9 ! EYES AB\T TO BUR/ TO LOSE IT NO A FUCK+ BULLET ,I WANT TO CRY TO SCREAM BUT ,I /OP MYSELF ,I CAN'T LOSE IT RI<T N[ 9 ?IS MOM5T IF ,I DO HE MI<T DIE BUT ,I DON'T EV5 KN[ :AT TO DO 

,A PROTE/ M$IC COMES UP TO ME MY NAME IS ,I DON'T REMEMB] IS IT ,DAVID ,PHIL ,JOHN ,ADAM HE SAYS Y\'RE GO+ TO BE ,O,K CAN Y\ TELL ME :AT'S WRONG CAN Y\ HE> ME CAN Y\ SEE ME ,I FOCUS ON ! M$IC ,I CANT IMAG9E HE'S EV] BE5 9 ?IS POSITION HE'S PROBABLY ONLY DEALT ) TE> GAS ,MAALOX PEPP] SPRAY RUBB] BULLETS BUT HE'S HELP+ ME C5T] MYSELF 9 ! *AOS ?AT IS :AT ,I NE$ RI<T N[ TO LOSE COMPOSURE C\LD MEAN LOS+ MY FRI5D ,I HE> HIM MOAN :AT'S WRONG :AT'S WRONG WE HAV5'T /OPP$ TRY+ TO GET HIM TO TALK TO US MY /OMA* MY /OMA* 

,! HUMAN NE$ TO HELP EV]YONE WANTS TO IT'S P[]FUL IT'S MEAN+FUL BUT IT'S TOO MU* IT'S LIKE WE ALL WANT TO HELP BUT WE >E ALL TALK+ OV] EA* O!R WE >E ALL SC>$ = MY FRI5D :O IS ON ! GR\ND 9 PA9 DY+ 

,PEOPLE >E GRABB+ ME PU%+ ME TELL+ ME TO DO ?+S ,I CAN'T DO ,I'M OV]:ELM$ !Y'RE 9 ! WAY EV]YONE IS TALK+ AT ONCE ,I CAN'T HE> !M ALL AT ONCE ,I CAN'T TELL H[ MANY PEOPLE >E >\ND N[ !Y 5CIRCLE ME ! M$IC MY COMRADES & MY FRI5D :O IS PASS+ AWAY RI<T BE=E US ! CR[D WANTS US TO MOVE TO GET HIM \T ( H]E 

,A MAN YELLS AT ME HE'S PAC+ BACK & =? HE YELLS OV] & OV] NO AMBULANCE IS GONNA COME WE GOTTA DO ?IS \RSELVES WE DON'T NE$ NO FUCK+ POLICE WE GOTTA DO ?IS \RSELVES WE DON'T NE$ NO FUCK+ POLICE WE GOTTA DO ?IS \RSELVES WE DON'T NE$ ! POLICE 

 WE GOTTA DO ?IS \RSELVES FUCK ! POLICE444 

  

,I'M TELL+ EV]YONE GET BACK GET BACK GIVE US SOME SPACE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE ! M$IC IS LO/ ?IS IS \T ( HIS LEAGUE A C> PULLS UP BEH9D US ,I ASK HIM :AT %\LD WE DO %\LD WE LIFT HIM IS ?AT ,O,K WILL ?AT KILL HIM :AT %\LD WE DO :AT %\LD WE DO ! M$IC DOESN'T KN[ BUT HE TELLS US TO LIFT HIM WE GRAB HIM ! MAN :O WAS SCREAM+ AB\T ! POLICE PU%ES ME AWAY FROM MY GRIP ,I FALL TO ! GR\ND ! MAN GRABS MY FRI5D & RU%ES HIM TO ! C> ) O!RS 

,ANO!R FRI5D >RIVES 9 H] C> %E SCREAMS PUT HIM 9 MY C> PUT HIM 9 MY C> NO NO NO ?AT'S MY P>TN] ?AT'S MY P>TN] PUT HIM 9 MY C> NO NO NO NO PUT HIM 9 ! FUCK+ C> A /RUGGLE 5SUES = HIS BODY & ! MAN :O WAS SCREAM+ IS PU%$ AWAY FROM \R FRI5D HE 5DS UP 9 H] C> ! C> SPE$S (F ! C> LEAVES 

,EV]Y?+ IS AMPLIFI$ WE >E ALL PAC+ RUNN+ >\ND ,I W&] 9SIDE MYSELF LO/ :AT JU/ HAPP5$ TO US \R BELOV$ FRI5D IT'S ,O,K !RE WASN'T REALLY ANY BLOOD IT'S IT'S IT'S ,O,K HE'S ,O,K PLEASE NO NO NO ,I JU/ SAW ?AT ,I JU/ SAW ,I JU/ SAW ,I JU/ SAW ?AT ,I CAN'T GET RID ( ?AT /OP /OP /OP GO AWAY PLEASE PLEASE 

,BUT ,I CAN'T HAVE ANY PRIVACY OR SAFETY 9 MY TRAUMA A POLICE TANK PULLS UP L\D A MON/] BL9D+ LI<TS REVV+ 5G9E ) PIGS PO9T+ !IR GUNS AT US FROM ! TOP ,I ?9K Y\ DID ?IS Y\ DID ?IS ALL ?IS FUCK+ PA9 ) Y\R BULLETS TE> GAS BATONS JAILS PRISONS DEA? ,I WANT IT ALL TO BURN = IT ALL TO GO D[N 9 FLAMES ) Y\ ALL 9SIDE TORTUR$ = ALL ! BULLETS Y\ FIRE AT US TO EXPLODE TO BACKFIRE 9TO Y\R ME*ANICAL HE>TS ,I HATE Y\ & ! LAW Y\ PROTECT :AT Y\ REALLY >E N[ IS B>E Y\R GLOVES >E (F & SOME REBELS 9 ! HA/E ( IT ALL ALBEIT ) A LACK ( SKILL WANT TO %OOT BACK & GIVE Y\ BACK SOME ( :AT WE FEEL 

,A FRI5D'S C> PULLS UP ! DOORS FLY OP5 EV]YONE ,I CAME ) CLIMBS 9 & N[ ,I'M SOBB+ SOBB+ BODY %UT D[N WE DON'T KN[ :]E TO GO WE DON'T KN[ :]E TO GO 9 ?IS PLACE :]E IS HE GO+ :]E DID \R FRI5DS GO ) HIM 

 W> ON MIS]Y 

  

,I SIT = H\RS CRY+ ALONE & ) FRI5DS T]RIFI$ AB\T :AT C\LD HAPP5 Y\ MI<T DIE & ,I MI<T HAVE BE5 ONE ( ! LA/ PEOPLE TO TALK TO Y\ BE=E Y\ W5T UND] ,I CAN ONLY />E 9TO SPACE NOT ?9K+ REPLAY+ OV] & OV] 

,I REMEMB] 9 ! H\RS BE=E H[ 9SPIR+ IT WAS TO BE 9 ?IS ZONE ! POLICE & US SOME ( US 9 ! BACK WAT*+ SOME ?R[+ ROCKS SOME PONTIFICAT+ OR SCOLD+ US 

,:AT >E WE DO+ :AT'S ! NEXT ?+ WE GOTTA DO TO MAKE ?IS REBELLION GO ON =EV] 

,WE TALK$ M9UTES BE=E Y\ W]E %OT ,I REMEMB] Y\ W]E ON TOP ( A UTILITY BOX ONE ( ?OSE BOXES ?AT REGULATES /OP LI<TS Y\ W]E TALK+ TO OLD FRI5DS NEW FRI5DS UP !RE TELL+ US :AT Y\ SAW ! POLICE W]E TELL+ US TO GO HOME OV] & OV] WE MOCK$ !M & ?\<T AB\T \R EXIT /RATEGY 

,! CR[D MOV+ BACK & =? RELATIVE TO ! POLICE L9E ,I WAS A LITTLE BIT SC>$ BUT MO/ EV]YONE ELSE WAS TOO SO ,I DIDN'T FEEL ALONE Y\ COM=T$ ME FROM UP ON Y\R VANTAGE PO9T WE JOK$ AB\T ! CURFEW ) O!RS H[ WE W]E GO+ TO /AY LIKE WE W]E NEV] GONNA LEAVE PUT UP A FRONT LIKE WE GOT ?IS Y\ CAN'T MAKE US LEAVE BUT REALLY WE'RE GONNA LEAVE BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ROCKS 

,IS IT BETT] TO LOSE VALIANTLY ) A LITTLE BIT ( BRAVADO OR C\RAGE ?AN IMM$IATELY TO ADMIT DEFEAT 

 ,AUGU/ #ag 

  

,I CAN'T GO BACK TODAY4 

,I HAVE NEV] CRI$ SO MU*4 ,I'M SURR\ND$ BY FRI5DS :O >E DO+ ! SAME4 ,WE ALL ASSEMBLE AT HIS H\SE1 SLEEP+ 9 A PILE TOGE!R & CRY+1 HOP+ ?AT EV]Y?+ WILL BE ,O,K4 ,WE'RE TRY+ TO %AKE \T ! EMOTIONS & ! MOM5T ! BULLETS W]E FLY+4 ,IT REPLAYS OV] & OV] 9 MY M9D1 & ALL ,I CAN SEE IS SOMEONE JU/ A C\PLE ( /EPS FROM ME FALL+ TO ! GR\ND4 ,9 %OCK1 ,I />E 9TO SPACE1 )DRAWN FROM ! WORLD4 ,I GUESS ?IS IS :AT IT MEANS TO PROCESS TRAUMA1 TO /RUGGLE TO GET BACK TO SOME K9D ( EQUILIBRIUM SO ,I CAN NAVIGATE 9 ?IS WORLD4 

,TRAUMA BUILDS 9SIDE ( US & WE DON'T GET TO WORK IT \T 9 A HEAL?Y WAY4 ,:E!R IT'S BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A SUPPORT NETWORK ( C>EGIV]S OR WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO DEAL ) IT--SOME?+ ELSE COMES ALONG TO KNOCK US \T AGA94 ,TRAUMA ALSO BECOMES NORMALIZ$1 MAK+ IT EASY TO LOSE EMPA?Y = O!RS BECAUSE IT FEELS LIKE ! WORLD IS FULL ( TRAUMATIC HI/ORIES & SITUATIONS4 

,LAT]1 ,I WAT* ,T,V & SEE ?AT PEOPLE >E ATTEMPT+ TO ATTACK ! /AG+ >EA ( ! POLICE & ,NATIONAL ,GU>D4 ,FOLKS >E BREAK+ UP CEM5T BLOCKS TO MAKE SMALL] ROCKS1 ?R[+ ,MOLOTOV COCKTAILS4 ,! POLICE LAT] DESCRIBE ?IS AS ONE ( ! MO/ 9T5SE NI<TS !Y FAC$4 

,! POLITICAL P[] ?AT COMES FROM A B>REL ( A GUN IS NOT SOME?+ TO TAKE LI<TLY4 ,! P]SON FAM\S = ?AT TURN ( PHRASE1 ,MAO1 HELP$ TO BR+ AB\T ! DEA?S ( MILLIONS ( PEOPLE4 ,YET LEFTI/S & RADICALS /ILL RALLY >\ND ! CULT ( ! GUN4 ,GUNS >E (T5 SE5 AS ! /RONGE/ MEANS ( RESI/ANCE--RA!R ?AN JU/ ONE TOOL 9 ! VA/ TOOLBOX ( RESI/ANCE ?AT REQUIRES COLLECTIVE P[]1 NOT CADRES ( REVOLUTION>IES4 

,9 RESPONSE TO ! EV5TS 9 ,F]GUSON1 !RE HAS BE5 A CALL BY SOME TO TAKE UP >MS1 TO MILIT>IZE ! /RUGGLE1 TO BUILD AN >MY1 TO GET ALL ! 0LUMP50 BLACK PEOPLE TO BE DISCIPL9$ >M$ SOLDI]S = ! CAUSE4 ,?IS W\LD GIVE ! /ATE A MORE LEGIBLE /RUGGLE1 ONE 9VOLV+ G5]ALS & SOLDI]S4 ,?IS IS EXACTLY H[ ! /ATE ORGANIZES TO DEF5D ITS P[] EV]Y DAY--9 MILIT>IZ$ =MATIONS4 ,WE (T5 SEE ?IS /RATEGY EMPLOY$ BY PEOPLE :O WANT TO WIELD /ATE P[] OV] O!RS !MSELVES4 

,IT MI<T BE NECESS>Y TO EMPLOY GUNS = SELF-DEF5SE 9 ! PROCESS ( BUILD+ ! WORLD WE WANT4 ,IT MI<T BE 9EVITABLE4 ,IT IS IMPORTANT TO KN[ H[ TO USE !M 9 COLLECTIVE /RUGGLES1 TO GET COM=TABLE ) !M1 JU/ AS IT IS IMPORTANT TO LE>N H[ TO /EAL ELECTRICITY1 H[ TO WORK TOGE!R TO GR[ FOOD OR PRODUCE PROPAG&A4 ,WE HAVE TO BE MULTIFACET$1 TO DEVELOP A WIDE V>IETY ( SKILLS4 ,BUT ANY EF=T TO MILIT>IZE >M$ /RUGGLE >\ND ! SOLE USE ( GUNS WILL IMM$IATELY 5D 9 FAILURE1 BECAUSE 9 A MILIT>IZ$ W>1 ! /ATE & ITS LACKEYS HAVE MORE FIREP[]4 

,I DON'T WANT RECKLESS GUNFIRE 9 :I* MY FRI5DS & O!R REBELS >E %OT BY \R [N4 ,NOR DO ,I WANT DISCIPL9$ MILIT>Y =MATIONS ) !IR PATRONIZ+ TALK ( DEF5D+ 0! PEOPLE0 AS IF !Y >E SOME?+ SEP>ATE FROM US1 ABOVE US1 & WE 70! PEOPLE07 %\LD WAT* FROM ! /&S AS !Y PLAY REVOLUTION>Y >MY4 ,! 0PEOPLE0 >E NOT A MASS TO PROTECT2 WE >E ACTIVE1 CREATIVE1 & SM>T 9 WAYS ?AT DO NOT ALWAYS FIT 9TO ! PRESCRIPTIONS ( IDEOLOGY OR MILIT>Y /RATEGY4 ,MANY ( US DEF5D \RSELVES EV]Y DAY )\T NE$ ( =MAL PROTECTORS4 ,HI/ORY %[S ?OSE PROTECTORS >E (T5 MORE DANG]\S TO US ?AN ! ?+S !Y >E SUPPOS$ TO PROTECT US FROM4 ,COPS >E ! P]FECT EXAMPLE ( ?IS4 

,RA!R1 WE %\LD SEEK TO N\RI% 9DIVIDUAL & SMALL GR\P DEF5SE SO IT CAN GR[ 9TO SOME?+ BIGG]1 ACKN[L$G+ ! DIV]SITY ( WAYS PEOPLE TAKE ACTION4 ,REBELLI\S SITUATIONS LIKE ! ONE 9 ,F]GUSON HELP US TO SEE EA* O!R4 ,SOME ( US MI<T BE> >MS TO DEF5D \RSELVES1 BUT MO/LY ! P[] ( SU* A MOM5T EM]GES FROM \R %>$ DET]M9ATION TO KEEP ?IS SPACE ALIVE4 

,?IS /RUGGLE IS POPULAT$ BY MANY DIFF]5T GR\PS ( PEOPLE :O >E MEET+ EA* O!R & FIGUR+ \T :AT IT MEANS TO BE 9 ?IS SPACE TOGE!R AS SOME ( US LE>N H[ TO DEF5D IT FROM POLICE1 H[ TO SABOTAGE CAPITALI/ 9FRA/RUCTURE & C>RY \T ATTACKS ON PROP]TY4 ,SOME FOLKS DO HAVE GUNS1 BUT ! POLICE DO NOT KN[ :O DOES1 & ?AT SEEMS BETT] ?AN !M KN[+1 BECAUSE ?IS MAKES IT H>D] = !M TO P9 D[N !IR ADV]S>Y1 PR$ICT \R RESPONSE TO !IR ACTIONS1 OR PLAN ! BE/ WAY TO REPRESS US4 

 ,AUGU/ #ah 

  

,! POLICE REALLY WANT ?IS TO 5D4 ,!Y'RE TRY+ EV]Y MEANS AT !IR DISPOSAL 9 !IR PRESS CONF]5CES4 ,!Y HAVE A PA/OR AWKW>DLY PRAY+ = IT TO 5D1 !Y HAVE ,RON ,JOHNSON GIV+ LECTURES AB\T ! VALUE ( PEACE & PATI5CE1 & !N--%AK+ !IR HEADS--!Y %[ ! TABLE ( SEIZ$ EVID5CE FROM LA/ NI<T3 ,MOLOTOVS MADE FROM #d-\NCE BOTTLES1 H&GUNS1 *UNKS ( CONCRETE1 BRICKS4 

,GOV]NOR ,NIXON DECL>ES A ,/ATE ( ,EM]G5CY & CALLS 9 ! ,NATIONAL ,GU>D TO PROTECT ! POLICE COMM& C5T]4 ,! POLICE ANN\NCE ?AT !Y WILL NOT ALL[ CR[DS TO ASSEMBLE1 ?AT ALL PROTE/]S WILL BE =C$ TO CONT9UE MOV+ ALONG ! /REET OR BE >RE/$4 ,H[EV]1 ! CURFEW ON ! CITY ( ,F]GUSON IS LIFT$4 ,POLICE BLOCK (F ,W4 ,FLORISSANT TO C>S & SET UP *ECKPO9TS AT BO? 5DS ( ! /RIP4 ,MANY ( ! SIDE ROADS ?R\< ! NEI<BORHOODS ?AT LEAD D[N TO ! /RIP >E ALSO BLOCK$ (F4 ,?IS NEW TACTIC IS AIM$ AT ?OSE :O HAD PREVI\SLY US$ ! SIDE ROADS TO FLOOD ONTO ,W4 ,FLORISSANT & ESCAPE ONCE ?+S GOT TOO HOT4.<#a.> 

,E>LY 9 ! AFT]NOON1 ! RAPP] ,NELLY >RIVES ON ! SC5E TO TELL PEOPLE !Y HAVE OPTIONS BESIDES RIOT+4 ,SOMEONE 9 ! CR[D %\TS BACK3 0,Y\ HAVE OPTIONS1 Y\'RE RI*60 

,AS D>KNESS APPROA*ES1 ! CR[D SWELLS & PEOPLE BEG9 TO M>* 9 ! /REETS DEFIANTLY4 ,A /&(F ) ! POLICE L9E DEVELOPS2 ROCKS & BOTTLES FLY ?R\< ! AIR4 ,9 RESPONSE1 PEACE M>%ALS L9K >MS & =M A L9E BETWE5 ! CR[D & ! POLICE1 ATTEMPT+ TO PU% PEOPLE BACK (F ! /REETS4 

,DESPITE ! EF=TS ( ! PEACE POLICE1 SOME CONT9UE TO CONFRONT ! POLICE ?R\<\T ! NI<T4 ,ONE WOMAN RIPS A 0,D,O ,N,O,T ,5,T,]0 SIGN FROM ! GR\ND & C>RIES IT 9TO ! ROAD TO FACE (F ) ! POLICE1 OCCASIONALLY SETT+ IT D[N TO GO BACK 9TO ! CR[D TO *ECK ON H] BABY4 ,! POLICE >E ALMO/ 5JOY+ ?IS4 ,!Y />T TO USE !IR 9T]COM TO TRY TO GET US TO DISP]SE4 ,AS SOMEONE TRIES TO PULL ANO!R SIGN \T ( ! GR\ND1 !Y W>N3 0,I,F ,Y,\ ,>,E ,D,E,/,R,O,Y,+ ,O,R ,R,E,M,O,V,+ ,/,R,E,E,T,S ,S,I,G,N,S1 ,Y,\ ,W,I,L,L ,B,E ,S,U,B,J,E,C,T ,T,O ,>,R,E,/60 ,PEOPLE RESPOND ) LAU<T]4 0,I,F ,Y,\ ,>,E ,H,O,L,D,+ ,C,I,T,Y ,P,R,O,P,],T,Y1 ,Y,\ ,W,I,L,L ,B,E ,S,U,B,J,E,C,T ,T,O ,>,R,E,/60 

,9 ! MID/ ( IT ALL1 ,I'M SITT+ ON A CURB WAT*+ ! SC5E ) SOME FRI5DS4 ,A BLACK WOMAN :O HAPP5S TO BE HOLD+ A KNIFE IS SPEAK+ H] PIECE TO A P>T ( ! CR[D WAT*+ & IT'S P[]FUL4 ,I'M SITT+ ) SOME FRI5DS1 A LITTLE GR\P ( :ITE PEOPLE4 ,%E COMES UP TO US--/ILL HOLD+ ! KNIFE--& />TS TO TALK TO US AB\T H[ WE ALL BLE$ ! SAME BLOOD4 ,OV] & OV]1 WE ALL BLE$ ! SAME BLOOD4 ,IF %E CUT US1 %E YELLS1 IF %E CUT US1 WE'D ALL BLE$ ! SAME FUCK+ BLOOD4 ,AS %E SAYS ?IS1 %E MAKES A CUTT+ MOTION ) H] KNIFE4 

,?IS DISC\RSE IS SO UNLIKE :AT ,I HAVE SE5 ON ! 9T]NET OR 9 GUILT-RIDD5 ACTIVI/ CIRCLES4 ,SURE1 ! TRU? IS MORE COMPLICAT$4 ,! RI*1 ! POOR1 ! BLACK & NON-BLACK BLE$ ! SAME BLOOD--BUT DEP5D+ ON Y\R CIRCUM/ANCES1 Y\ MI<T BLE$ OR GET CUT D[N A BIT LESS OR SL[] ?AN ! O!RS4 ,/ILL1 SOME ( !SE ID5TITY DESCRIPTORS DON'T NECESS>ILY TELL US ?AT MU* AB\T PEOPLE & :AT !Y'VE BE5 ?R\< OR :AT !Y FEEL4 ,9 ! MID/ ( AN ACTIVE POLICE /ATE1 ?IS WOMAN IS NOT TRY+ TO CREATE SYMPA?Y = ! POLICE OR RI*2 %E'S TALK+ AB\T ?OSE ( US :O HAVE *OS5 TO BE \T H]E4 

,:AT IS ONE TO DO ) SU* COMM5TS8 ,IT'S CLE> ?AT :ITE SUPREMACY DOES NOT MELT AWAY JU/ BECAUSE A BLACK P]SON SAYS WE ALL %>E ! SAME BLOOD4 ,! IMPORTANT ?+ IS ?AT A COMM5T LIKE ?IS SUGGE/S ! POSSIBILITY ( A FISSURE 9 ! REIFY+ CATEGORY ( 0RACE0 ITSELF1 :I* IS A FRAMEWORK ?AT GIVES MORE C5TRALITY TO CONCEPTS & ROLES ?AN EXP]I5CES4 ,9 MANY POLITICAL CIRCLES1 ! CURR5T RACIAL ANALYSIS SEEMS BAS$ ON A TOTALIZ+ POLITICAL RHETORIC ?AT DOES NOT PRES5T A REAL *ALL5GE TO ! 9/ITUTIONS ?AT MA9TA9 A RACIALIZ$ SOCIETY OR ! WAY ( SEE+ ! WORLD ?AT ?OSE 9/ITUTIONS PROMOTE4 

,?AT DISC\RSE PA9TS OV] ! JOYFUL OR TRAUMATIC DETAILS ( ALL ! /ORIES ?AT PEOPLE HAVE >\ND RESI/+ ?OSE 9/ITUTIONS4 ,:5 ,I LOOK AT PEOPLE1 ,I HAVE NO IDEA :AT !Y HAVE BE5 ?R\< ON AN 9DIVIDUAL LEVEL2 ?IS REALITY CAN UND]M9E NATIONALISMS & IDEOLOGY4 ,!SE SIMPLE HI/ORICAL CON/RUCTS WE >E GIV5 OR =C$ TO USE TO DESCRIBE \RSELVES DO NOT S]VE US4 ,?IS IS NOT TO D5Y ! EXI/5CE ( ALL ! =CES ?AT PRIVILEGE SOME PEOPLE OV] O!RS BAS$ ON ID5TITY OR IDEOLOGY--IT IS TO EMPHASIZE ?AT WE MU/ BE IRRECONCILABLY OPPOS$ TO ?OSE =CES1 ?AT WE HAVE TO /RUGGLE AGA9/ A WORLD ORD] ?AT DEP5DS ON IMPOS$ ID5TITIES TO GO ON 5SLAV+ & EXPLOIT+4 

,RACIALIZATION HAS CREAT$ A NI<TM>E ?AT HAS ORIG9S 9 A NATIONALI/--& !RE=E RUL+ CLASS--UND]/&+ ( ! WORLD4 ,PEOPLE >E DIVID$ 9TO SUPPOS$LY HOMOG5\S GR\PS UND] ! BANN] ( A /ATE OR AN ID5TITY4 ,! RACIALIZATION & COLOR-COD+ ( PEOPLE S]VES ! SAME FUNCTION--& US+ CLASS AS ID5TITY IS NO DIFF]5T4 

,ON ! ONE H&1 WE SEE ! OPPRESSIVE WAYS ?AT ! N>RATIVES & 9/ITUTIONS ( P[] HAVE IMPOS$ RACE1 CON/RUCT+ & PRIVILEG+ OR DISEMP[]+ DIFF]5T ID5TITIES & RELEGAT+ !M TO C]TA9 >EAS ( ACTIVITY4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 WE SEE ! GLORIFICATION ( RACE FROM ?OSE :O HAVE B\<T 9TO RACIAL NATIONALISM--BE IT :ITE NATIONALI/1 BLACK NATIONALI/1 OR NATIONALI/ 9 G5]AL4 ,?IS MY?OLOGY MAKES GROSS G5]ALIZATIONS AB\T EV]YONE ACCORD+ TO !IR 0HI/ORICAL0 E?NIC ROOTS1 :E!R ?OSE >E ! 0:ITE0 ,EUROPEAN CIVILIZATIONS ( ,ROME & ,GREECE OR ! 0BLACK0 ,AFRICAN ONES ( ,EGYPT OR ,NIG]IA4 ,! REALITY IS MORE COMPLICAT$4 ,MO/ ,EUROPEAN SOCIETIES >E NOT REALLY DESC5D$ FROM ,ROME & ,GREECE1 & 0:IT5ESS0 & 0BLACKNESS0 >E V]Y REC5T 9V5TIONS4 ,MO/ 0,EUROPEAN0 OR 0,AFRICAN0 S]FS MU/ HAVE HAD LITTLE 9T]E/ 9 BE+ SE5 AS ,ROMAN OR ,NIG]IAN OR = ?AT MATT] 0:ITE0 OR 0BLACK40 ,! ONES :O ID5TIFI$ !MSELVES ) ?OSE CON/RUCTS W]E USUALLY ! ONES :O LORD$ OV]1 5SLAV$1 & EXPLOIT$ ! O!RS1 COLONIZ+ PEOPLE & =C+ !M 9TO AN 5CLOSURE ( NATIONHOOD4 

,CIVILIZATIONS WRITE !IR N>RATIVES 9 ! BLOOD ( ?OSE !Y RULE ?R\< CONQUE/ & 5SLAVEM5T1 A PROCESS ?AT :ITTLES D[N \R BE+ TO ! CATEGORIES !Y =CE US 9TO4 ,! RUL]S ( PREVI\S CIVILIZATIONS OPPRESS$ !IR POPULACES ACCORD+ TO FRAMEWORKS SIMIL> TO 0RACE10 BUT DI/9CT FROM IT4 ,!Y TOO 5SLAV$ PEOPLE & =C$ !M TO DO !IR BIDD+1 TO WORK !IR L&S1 TO BUILD !IR 9FRA/RUCTURE & PAY !IR PATRONAGE1 EFFECTIVELY =C+ PEOPLE TO BECOME SOME?+ O!R ?AN !Y W]E1 ELIM9AT+ !IR POT5TIAL TO BE :AT !Y WANT$ ON !IR [N T]MS4 ,WE DO A DISS]VICE TO \R ANCE/ORS :5 WE LOOK = NATIONALI/ OR CULTURAL ROOTS 9 !SE BLOODY /ORIES4 ,WE MI<T BE ABLE TO F9D REGIONAL ID5TIFICATION1 P]HAPS1 BUT ! PROBLEM ( HI/ORY IS ?AT IT R$UCES US TO :AT \R MA/]S SAY WE >E--NOT \R ACTUAL LIVES & EXP]I5CES4 ,:AT !Y SAY WE >E IS :AT CREATES ! UNRE/ WE FEEL )9 \RSELVES1 BECAUSE WE >5'T R$UCIBLE TO IT & WE CAN'T HELP BUT NOT BE EV5 :5 WE TRY4 ,REPRESS+ !SE 9H]5T CONTRADICTIONS REQUIRES POLICE & PRISONS4 ,IT'S :AT !Y >E =4 

,TAK+ ALL !SE DETAILS S]I\SLY IS ! OPPOSITE ( ALL IDEOLOGY4 ,CREAT+ AN ALT]NATIVE POLITICAL FRAMEWORK W\LD BE A VA/ UND]TAK+2 IT W\LD ?REAT5 ALL POLITICIANS :O SEEK TO REPRES5T4 ,NOT TO BE ABLE TO DEF9E L>GE GR\PS OR GIVE A N>RATIVE TO 0HI/ORY0 W\LD UND]M9E ALL POLITICAL PROJECTS4 ,:AT IS ! SOLUTION8 

,WE >5'T HI/ORY4 ,WE >E CAU<T 9 ! CROSSFIRE ( FEUD+ FACTIONS2 ! RHETORIC ( SOME ! ANTI-RACI/S MAKES ?IS CLE> 5\<4 ,IT IS ANO!R RE-IMPOSITION ( BE+ ?AT APPE>S DIFF]5T1 BUT REALLY ISN'T4 

,ALLEG$LY 9 RESPONSE TO A RUMOR ( %OTS FIR$1 ! POLICE EV5TUALLY FIRE A B>RAGE ( TE> GAS 9TO ! /REETS4 ,PEOPLE FE>LESSLY ?R[ ! GAS BACK1 BUT ! QUANTITY ( GAS 9 ! AIR MAKES IT NE>LY IMPOSSIBLE TO /AY ON ,W4 ,FLORISSANT & WE FALL BACK T[>DS ,CANFIELD4 ,MORE CANI/]S >E FIR$1 MORE TE> GAS FILLS ! AIR1 & SOME 9 ! CR[D WORK TOGE!R 9 AN ATTEMPT TO SET ,R$'S B>BECUE JO9T ON FIRE ) ,MOLOTOV COCKTAILS & GAS4 ,SOME PEOPLE >E ?R[+ ,MOLOTOVS1 BUT RA!R POORLY4 ,A KID GETS ONE FROM A FRI5D & ?R[S IT1 BUT IT'S AN AWKW>D ?R[ & ONLY FLIES #a FEET4 ,WE ALL LAU<1 LIKE1 DAMN1 NICE ?R[4 ,SOMEONE RUNS UP TO ! BUILD+ & ?R[S ONE 91 BUT ! FIRE GOES \T4 ,I SEE SOMEONE ELSE RUNN+ TO ,R$'S ) A CONTA9] ( :AT LOOKS LIKE WAT]4 ,HE GETS TO ! BROK5 W9D[ & P\RS IT 9 & ! FIRE GOES :OO%6 ,ACTUALLY1 IT'S GASOL9E1 NOT WAT]4 

,A FRI5D & ,I /RIKE UP A CONV]SATION ) TWO PEOPLE4 ,!Y MU/ BE #ah OR #b YE>S OLD4 ,!Y'RE ASK+ US :AT \R DEAL IS4 ,!Y TELL US !Y'RE GONNA BE \T H]E TOMORR[1 ?AT !Y HOPE TO SEE US LAT]1 ?AT WE GOTTA GET MORE ORGANIZ$1 ?AT WE %\LD ALL GET GAS MASKS & KEEP FI<T+4 

,! POLICE >E /ILL TELL+ US TO LEAVE4 ,!Y DRIVE UP 9 !IR ,BE>CAT1 ! EQUIVAL5T ( A ,BR9KS >MOR$ C> BUT BIGG]4 ,!Y BEAM ! LI<TS ( ! ,BE>CAT AT US1 BUT !N SOMEONE %OOTS AT IT4 ,WE ALL SCATT]4 ,AS WE GO HOME1 REMEMB]+ ! NI<TS BE=E1 SOME ( US YELL1 ,IF Y\'RE GONNA %OOT1 %OOT /RAI<T6 

 ,AUGU/ #a#i-#b#a 

  

,TO ADD TO ! MIS]Y1 ANO!R BLACK MAN BY ! NAME ( ,KAJIEME ,P[ELL1 :O IS M5TALLY ILL1 IS KILL$ BY POLICE 9 ! ,RIV]VIEW NEI<BORHOOD ( ,/4 ,L\IS ,CITY4 ,HE W5T 9TO A /ORE & ALLEG$LY /OLE SOME DR9KS4 ,A VIDEO COMES \T1 %[+ HIM >M$ ) A KNIFE4 ,! POLICE >RIVE & %OOT HIM DEAD )9 #b SECONDS4 ,P[ELL WAS MORE ?AN #b FEET FROM !M & ! MO!RFUCK]S %OT IMM$IATELY4 ,!RE >E ! USUAL CALLS = CALM4 ,ANTONIO ,FR5*1 ! ALD]MAN :OSE W>D IS NE>BY1 ONCE AGA9 5C\RAGES US TO LET JU/ICE RUN ITS C\RSE4 ,HE EV5 GOES SO F> AS TO CONGRATULATE ! ,/,L,M,P,D = BE+ TRANSP>5T & RELEAS+ ! VIDEO IMM$IATELY1 9 CONTRA/ TO ! ,F]GUSON ,P,D4 ,?IS HAS ! EFFECT ( PLACAT+ A LOT ( PEOPLE4 

,F9ALLY1 ON ,AUGU/ #b#a1 = ! FIR/ TIME S9CE !Y %OT ,MIKE ,BR[N1 ! POLICE & !IR POLITICAL C\NT]P>TS SUCCE$ 9 IMPOS+ ORD]4 ,! NUMB] ( >RE/S C\PL$ ) !IR SL[ LE>N+ CURVE HAS F9ALLY CAU<T UP ) US4 ,! COPS HAVE BLOCK$ MORE & MORE ( ! SUBURBAN SIDE /REETS ?AT GAVE US A TACTICAL ADVANTAGE4 

,DESPITE ! 9TIMIDAT+ POLICE PRES5CE1 WE CONT9UE TO DEMON/RATE \R ANG] & SADNESS BY M>*+ UP & D[N ! /REET4 ,! POLICE HAVE P>K$ !IR C>S ALONG ! SIDES ( ! /REETS1 CREAT+ A B>RI] ?AT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE = US TO GET 9 ! ROAD4 ,!Y'VE BASICALLY CREAT$ A CIRCLE WE HAVE TO /AY 94 ,MEMB]S ( ! ,NATION ( ,ISLAM1 *UR* LEAD]S1 & LIB]AL ACTIVI/S >E HELP+ !M TO 5=CE ?IS4 ,!Y >E %\T+ & PU%+ PEOPLE ONTO ! SIDEWALKS & AWAY FROM POLICE L9ES4 ,SOME SMALL CONFLICTS ]UPT1 BUT NONE ( !M GET \T ( CONTROL4 

,A Y\NG BLACK KID IS YELL+ AT ! CL]GY4 0,Y'ALL OLDHEADS HAVE BE5 ON ?IS PEACE & LOVE %IT = =EV] & IT'S GOT US NO:]E6 ,! #a#i#eS1 Y\ W]E ON IT6 ,! '#fS1 ! '#gS1 '#hS1 '#iS1 Y\'VE BE5 ON IT1 LOOK :]E Y\'RE AT N[60 

 ,TIR+ \T 

  

,! EV5TUAL & 9EVITABLE EXHAU/ION HAS F9ALLY >RIV$4 ,DUR+ ! NEXT WEEKS1 UNTIL ,NOVEMB] #b#d1 !RE >E A FEW NOTABLE FL>E-UPS1 BUT A G5]AL PEACE COMP>$ TO ?OSE HOT ,AUGU/ DAYS4 ,! PASSION1 ANG]1 & P[] MANY FELT HAS NOT DISAPPE>$ 5TIRELY4 ,BUT ?OSE ( US :O HAVE TO HU/LE1 :O CAN'T BE 9 ! /REETS =EV]1 >E =C$ TO RETURN TO WORK1 TO S*OOL1 TO *ILDC>E OR ELD]C>E1 TO COP+1 TO :ATEV] IT IS WE DO TO SCRAPE BY4 ,UN=TUNATELY1 ?IS LEAVES AN OP5+ = ?OSE :OSE ROLE 9 SOCIETY IS TO H&LE MANAGEM5T1 RE=M1 & REPRES5TATION4 ,! N>RATIVE ( ! REBELLION IS 9CREAS+LY TAK5 OV] BY NON-PR(ITS1 POLITICIANS1 CL]GY1 & SOME NEW ACTIVI/ ORGANIZATIONS ?AT HAVE EM]G$ OV] ! PA/ FEW MON?S4 ,MANY ( !M HAVE RES\RCES 9 ! =M ( SOCIAL NETWORKS OR F9ANCES ) :I* TO CONT9UE & REPRES5T ! FI<T ?AT 9ITIALLY GOT AHEAD ( !M4 ,! N>RATIVE BECOMES SIMPL]4 ,MU* IS ]AS$4 ,IT'S 9EVITABLE4 

,?IS IS NOT NECESS>ILY MALICI\S4 ,SOME WILL *>GE ?AT !SE GR\PS >E GETT+ RI* (F 0! /RUGGLE0 OR MISMANAG+ !IR FUNDS4 ,!RE W]E NON-PR(ITS ?AT W]E LIT]ALLY GETT+ HUNDR$S ( ?\S&S ( DOLL>S TO SP5D TO BUILD !IR NAMES4 ,& YEAH1 SOME ( IT WAS ,GEORGE ,SOROS MONEY--HE DOES FUND ORGANIZATIONS ?AT C\NT] UNFETT]$ REBELLION4 ,BUT ?OSE RES\RCES W]E NOT REA*+ R&OM PEOPLE ON ! /REET4 

,IT WAS C\NT]-9SURG5CY 9 ACTION4 ,BUT ?IS ISN'T A CONSPIRATORIAL CRITIQUE4 ,?IS IS AB\T ! ROLE ( NON-PR(ITS & MONEY4 ,MO/ ( US WILL NEV] SEE ANY ( ! ,F]GUSON MONEY BECAUSE MONEY IS F9ITE & !RE WILL ALWAYS BE TOO LITTLE4 ,BECAUSE !RE IS TOO LITTLE1 !SE GR\PS R>ELY 9VE/ 9 ANY?+ OR ANYONE ?AT WON'T GIVE !M RESULTS & MORE BR& P[]--:I* IS TO SAY1 9 MO/ ( US1 ) \R PLE?ORA ( PROBLEMS3 POV]TY1 DEBT1 PRISON1 TRAUMA1 UN_/EMPLOYM5T1 EVICTION1 & SO ON4 ,FROM A PURELY CAPITALI/IC /&PO9T1 WE >E NOT A GOOD 9VE/M5T4 ,9SIDE ANY ECONOMIC MODEL1 \R APPE>ANCE DOESN'T MAKE PEOPLE ) POLITICAL P[] FEEL SAFE1 :E!R IT'S BECAUSE WE'RE BLACK1 POOR1 W]E NOT $UCAT$ 9 A RESPECTABLE 9/ITUTION1 OR SPEAK 9 A LANGUAGE ?AT DOESN'T COMPUTE )9 ! SY/EM4 ,(T51 :AT WE SAY IS ALI5AT+ & SEEMS UN/RATEGIC TO ?OSE :O LE>N$ !IR S5SE ( /RATEGY 9 A UNIV]SITY4 ,WE'RE FULL ( PASSION1 A MULTITUDE ( VOICES ?AT CANNOT BE COMMODIFI$ OR COMPRESS$ 9TO A NEAT POLITICAL CON/ITU5CY OR ISSUE4 

,9 ANY REAL REBELLION1 !RE IS NO C5T] TO F9D1 NO C5T] TO FUND4 ,!RE IS NO COH]5T N>RATIVE1 NO S+LE LEGITIMATE VOICE ?AT REPRES5TS ! ID5TITY 9 QUE/ION1 NO 0MO/ AU!NTIC0 VOICE FROM 0! FRONTL9E10 NO ONE :O CAN SPEAK SOLELY 9 ! NAME ( 0COMMUNITY40 

,EV5 :5 A LOT ( PEOPLE KN[ EA* O!R & HAVE SOME S5SE ( COMMUNITY OR COLLECTIVITY1 !RE >E /ILL ! USUAL *ALL5GES & ATOMIZATION IMPOS$ BY CAPITALISM1 RACIALIZATION1 POLIC+1 CLASS /ATUS1 ! /ATE & ITS POLITICIANS1 & ! DAY-TO-DAY *ALL5GES ( 9DIVIDUAL SURVIVAL4 ,?IS SEEMS OBVI\S1 BUT IT'S USEFUL TO REMEMB]1 BECAUSE :5 ?+S COOL D[N & ! PR(ESSIONAL ACTIVI/S BECOME 0! MOVEM5T10 :5 !Y MAKE !IR DOCUM5T>IES OR WRITE !IR BOOKS1 Y\ MI<T WOND] :AT HAPP5$ TO ALL ! COMBATIVE FOLKS ?AT Y\ %>$ ?IS MOM5T )4 

,Y\ MI<T NOT BE ABLE TO F9D US BECAUSE WE DON'T ALL MEET 9 ONE BIG ROOM4 ,NOR DO WE (T5 MAKE IT ONTO CAM]A OR 9TO PUBLICATIONS4 

 ,BUILDUP TO ! ,NON-,9DICTM5T 

  

,SEPTEMB] #a -- ,ORGANIZ]S CALL = ! %UTT+ D[N ( ,I-#g 9 SOLID>ITY ) ,MI*AEL ,BR[N & TO PUT PRESSURE ON ! PROSECUTOR TO 9DICT ,D>R5 ,WILSON4 ,POLICE RESPOND ) AN OV]:ELM+ %[ ( =CE1 ) R\<LY #c (FIC]S DEPLOY$4 ,A CR[D ( PROTE/]S GA!RS 9 ! /REET & BOLDLY M>*ES T[>DS ! POLICE L9E 9 AN ATTEMPT TO BREAK ?R\< & %UT D[N ! HI<WAY4 ,! POLICE SUCCE$ 9 /OPP+ PROTE/]S FROM REA*+ ! HI<WAY1 BUT !Y >E UNABLE TO CALM ! CR[D2 BRICKS & BOTTLES >E ?R[N AT !M4 ,POLICE MAKE A FEW >RE/S BUT FAIL TO CAT* SOME ( ! CULPRITS1 :O ESCAPE ?R\< ! CR[D 9TO ! SURR\ND+ NEI<BORHOOD4 ,ONE MIDDLE-AG$ WOMAN EXCLAIMS TO ! CR[D1 0,/>T SAV+ Y\R %IT1 PUT IT 9 A PLA/IC BAG & ?R[ IT AT !SE MO!RFUCK]S60 & 0,N[ IS A GOOD TIME TO ROB A BANK60 

,SEPTEMB] #bc -- ,MIKE ,BR[N'S MEMORIAL BURNS 9 ! E>LY MORN+4 ,RESID5TS BLAME POLICE OR :ITE SUPREMACI/S4 ,?R\<\T ! DAY1 SUPPORT]S CLEAN UP & REBUILD ! MEMORIAL4 ,MEAN:ILE1 T5SION BUILDS AS WORD SPREADS AB\T ITS DE/RUCTION4 ,:5 NI<T FALLS1 ! /REETS >E ONCE AGA9 FILL$ ) PEOPLE1 ?IS TIME )\T 0PEACEKEEP]S40 ,POLICE >E MET ) BOTTLES & ROCKS AS !Y =CE PEOPLE (F ! /REETS & 9TO ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,AFT] A BRIEF /&(F ON ,CANFIELD ,DRIVE1 :I* ! POLICE >E /ILL TOO SC>$ TO 5T] DUR+ PROTE/S1 %OTS R+ \T AS SOMEONE FIRES T[>DS ! POLICE4 ,9 ! MORN+1 TWO HI<-RANK+ (FIC]S COMPLA9 AB\T HAV+ TO DOVE BEH9D CRUIS]S TO AVOID BE+ HIT4 

,SEPTEMB] #bh -- ,A L>GE CR[D ( PROTE/]S ?R[S BOTTLES & ROCKS AT (FIC]S \TSIDE ( ! ,F]GUSON ,POLICE ,DEP>TM5T4 

,OCTOB] #b -- ,POLICE EVICT A PROTE/ 5CAMPM5T ?AT HAD BE5 OCCUPY+ AN EMPTY LOT ON ,WE/ ,FLORISSANT 9 PROTE/ ( ! MURD] ( ,MIKE ,BR[N4 

,OCTOB] #d -- ,PROTE/]S BRIEFLY DISRUPT ! ,/4 ,L\IS SYMPHONY1 S++ 0,:I* SIDE >E Y\ ON80 

,OCTOB] #h -- ,JU/ BE=E DUSK1 AN (F-DUTY POLICE (FIC] WORK+ = A PRIVATE SECURITY COMPANY 9 A WEAL?Y >EA ( ! ,%AW NEI<BORHOOD %OOTS & KILLS #a#h-YE>-OLD ,VOND]RIT ,MY]S4 ,)9 A FEW H\RS1 HUNDR$S ( PEOPLE HAVE GA!R$ AT ! 9T]SECTION4 ,POLICE (F] ! USUAL /ORY ?AT ! KID HAD A GUN & %OT FIR/4 ,MANY WITNESSES & FRI5DS CLAIM ?AT ! 0GUN0 WAS ACTUALLY A S&WI* ,VOND]RIT HAD JU/ PUR*AS$4 ,! CR[D'S ANG] GR[S4 ,PEOPLE BEG9 TO SURR\ND ! N]V\S POLICE (FIC]S1 %\T+ ABUSE & TAUNTS4 ,! POLICE1 REALIZ+ ?AT !Y >E \TNUMB]$ & ! SITUATION IS BEG9N+ TO BE UNSAFE1 TRY TO LEAVE ! >EA 9 !IR CRUIS]S4 ,PEOPLE SURR\ND ! C>S1 SMA%+ \T !IR TAILLI<TS & ! BREAK+ ! W9D[ ( A DETECTIVE'S C> AS HE DRIVES (F4 

,ONE (FIC]1 AS HE HA/ILY RETREATS1 REALIZES ONE ( HIS FELL[ (FIC]S IS MISS+4 0,:]E'S ,JOE8 ,WE'RE MISS+ ,JOE10 HE %\TS OV] & OV] TO REPLIES FROM ! CR[D ?AT1 0,JOE'S DEAD1 MAN1 WE CAN'T F9D HIM EI!R40 ,AFT] ! POLICE LEAVE ! >EA1 PROTE/]S TAKE TO ! /REET & BLOCK TRAFFIC ON ! MAJOR B\LEV>D 9 ! >EA1 ,GR& ,AV5UE4 ,A FEW M9OR SCUFFLES HAPP5 ?R\<\T ! NI<T1 ) POLICE ATTACK$ ANY TIME !Y APPROA* ! M>*4 ,IT IS A SIGN ( ! CLIMATE 9 ! CITY ?AT :5 (FIC]S' C>S >E ATTACK$1 !Y FLEE ! >EA RA!R ?AN CALL+ 9 BACKUP4 ,! CITY IS CLE>LY SC>$ ( ESCALAT+ EV5TS & HAV+ A 0,F]GUSON0 ON !IR H&S4 

,OCTOB] #i -- ,= ! SECOND NI<T 9 A R[1 A L>GE CR[D GA!RS AT ! 9T]SECTION :]E ,VOND]RIT ,MY]S WAS KILL$4 ,! CR[D M>*ES D[N TO ,S\? ,GR& & PROCE$S TO %UT D[N ! ON- & (F- RAMPS = HI<WAY ,I-#d#d4 ,! POLICE KEEP A SAFE DI/ANCE FROM ! CR[D1 TRY+ TO DE-ESCALATE ! SITUATION4 ,EV5TUALLY1 ! CR[D />TS TO M>* D[N ,FLORA ,PLACE AFT] ONE WOMAN PO9TS \T ?AT IT IS ! WEAL?Y RESID5TS ( ?AT /REET ?AT PAY = ! PRIVATE SECURITY GU>D :O KILL$ ,MY]S4 ,AS ! CR[D APPROA*ES ,FLORA ,PLACE1 ! 5]GY />TS TO GR[--PEOPLE BANG ON C>S1 SCREAM AT ! RESID5TS1 & BL>E AIR HORNS4 ,PROTE/]S /EAL ,AM]ICAN FLAGS (F ( FRONT POR*ES & A FEW H\SES RECEIVE BRICKS ?R\< !IR W9D[S4 ,! CR[D GA!RS 9 AN 9T]SECTION & BURNS ! COLLECT$ FLAGS4 ,! CR[D M>*ES BACK T[>DS ,GR& ,AV5UE1 WEAV+ ?R\< ! NEI<BORHOOD ALONG ! WAY4 ,:5 PROTE/]S REA* ! MA9 9T]SECTION1 ?REE COPS BOLDLY RUN 9TO ! CR[D4 ,! (FIC]S >E IMM$IATELY SURR\ND$ & %OV$ \T4 ,)9 M9UTES1 R\<LY #a (FIC]S FLOOD ! >EA TO RESCUE ! ?REE (FIC]S1 SPRAY+ ! CR[D ) MACE4 

,BRIEF SCUFFLES FOLL[1 BUT ! CR[D IS MO/LY DISP]S$ BY ! L>GE POLICE PRES5CE4 

,OCTOB] #a#b-#a#d -- ,UND] ! BANN] 0,F]GUSON ,OCTOB]10 ACTIVI/S CALL = A WEEK5D ( DISRUPTION 9 MEMORY ( ,MIKE ,BR[N & TO PU% = AN 9DICTM5T AGA9/ ,D>R5 ,WILSON4 ,! WEEK5D IS FULL ( DEMON/RATIONS4 ,DUR+ ! DAY1 PROTE/]S %UT D[N OR DISRUPT V>I\S EV5TS 9CLUD+ POLITICAL CAMPAIGN RALLIES1 ! ,RAMS GAME1 & MULTIPLE ,WAL-,M>TS1 TO NAME A FEW4 ,AT NI<T1 PEOPLE GA!R \TSIDE ( ! ,F]GUSON ,POLICE ,DEP>TM5T4 

,! EV5TS ( ! WEEK5D1 :ILE RELATIVELY PEACEFUL1 DO A*IEVE ! GOAL ( DISRUPT+ ! NORMAL FL[ ( LIFE 9 ,/4 ,L\IS & BR++ ATT5TION TO ! CASE4 

,NOVEMB] #ag -- ,AHEAD ( ! ANN\NCEM5T AB\T :E!R ,D>R5 ,WILSON WILL BE 9DICT$1 ,GOV]NOR ,JAY ,NIXON PREEMPTIVELY DECL>ES A ,/ATE ( ,EM]G5CY4 ,NATIONAL ,GU>D TROOPS MOVE 9TO ! >EA & GU>D #dc LOCATIONS ACROSS ! CITY1 9CLUD+ ELECTRICAL SUB/ATIONS1 POLICE /ATIONS1 %OPP+ MALLS1 & GOV]NM5T FACILITIES4 ,AN E]IE T5SION DESC5DS ON ! CITY AS RESID5TS AWAIT ! V]DICT :ILE ! ,NATIONAL ,GU>D DRIVES ! /REETS 9 >MOR$ C>S4 

,NOVEMB] #ba -- ,TWO MEMB]S ( ! ,NEW ,BLACK ,PAN!R ,P>TY >E >RE/$ = ALLEG$LY BUY+ PI/OLS UND] FALSE PRET5SES4 ,IT'S AN ,F,B,I /+ OP]ATION4 ,9 ! 9VE/IGATION ?AT FOLL[S1 POLICE ACCUSE ! TWO ( A PLOT TO MURD] ! PROSECUTOR1 ! GOV]NOR1 & BL[ UP ! ,/4 ,L\IS ,>*4 

,LAT]1 !Y EA* PL$ TO F\R F$]AL FELONY *>GES & W]E S5T5C$ TO #hd MON?S4 

,NOVEMB] #bc -- ,:ILE PEOPLE >E /ILL WAIT+ = ! V]DICT1 PROTE/]S DEP>T FROM ! SITE :]E ,VOND]RIT ,MY]S WAS KILL$ & M>* ?R\< ,S\? ,/4 ,L\IS4 ,! M>* %UTS D[N MAJOR 9T]SECTIONS & DISRUPTS TRAFFIC ?R\<\T ! CITY4 

 ,NOVEMB] #bd 

  

,! DAYS >E T5SE LEAD+ UP TO ! ANN\NCEM5T ( :E!R ,D>R5 ,WILSON WILL BE *>G$4 ,! CITY IS ON $GE4 ,IT'S EASY TO /RIKE UP A CONV]SATION ON ! /REET AB\T ! TOPIC ) ANYONE4 ,9 ! C\R?\SE1 PAY+ A TRAFFIC TICKET1 Y\ MI<T RUN 9TO A GUY :O TALKS TO Y\ AB\T /RATEGY & :AT WE %\LD DO NEXT--0,IDIOTS1 DON'T TELL ! POLICE Y\'RE GONNA BLOCK ! HI<WAY1 JU/ DO IT60 ,AT A M$ICAL /UDY1 Y\ MI<T HE> FROM ! PHLEBOTOMI/1 :O HAPP5S TO BE ,MIKE ,BR[N'S AUNT1 0,WE AS ! FAMILY DIDN'T GO \T !RE1 WE'RE DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE ANY SUPPORT OR APPE>ANCE ( SUPPORT TO :AT W5T D[N40 ,OR JU/ WALK+ >\ND Y\R NEI<BORHOOD1 IT ISN'T UNCOMMON = SOME R&OM P]SON TO YELL1 0,JU/ICE = ,MIKE ,BR[N OR NAH80 ,ALL Y\ HAVE TO DO IS PUT Y\R H&S UP & ?AT IS 5\<4 

,I AM A LITTLE LO/4 ,IT FEELS LIKE YE>S HAVE GONE BY2 MY EYES >E DRY ( TE>S1 MY HEAD & BODY >E /ILL FULL ( %OCK1 MY HAIR IS EV5 />T+ TO GRAY4 ,ORGANIZ]S HAVE BR\<T 9 MANY PEOPLE FROM \T ( T[N1 BUT :]E >E ALL ! R[DY PEOPLE ,I RAN )8 ,! ONES :O DEF5D$ !MSELVES1 :O ?REW ROCKS & LOOT$ /ORES8 ,!Y SEEM TO HAVE DISAPPE>$1 ! SAME WAY ,I HAD = ?OSE MON?S4 ,! TRAUMA ( :AT HAS HAPP5$ IS NOT LO/ ON ME4 ,WE DO HAVE TO SLEEP SOMETIMES4 ,= A :ILE1 ,I DON'T EXPECT MU* TO HAPP5 :5 ! DECISION COMES D[N1 BECAUSE MU* ( :AT HAS HAPP5$ BETWE5 ,AUGU/ & ,NOVEMB] HAS BE5 9 ! FRAMEWORK ( CIVIL DISOB$I5CE2 MANY HAVE S\<T TO SCRUB ! RIOTS FROM ! N>RATIVE COMPLETELY4 ,BUT ,I AM PREP>$ = ANY?+4 

,9 ! DAYS BE=E ! ANN\NCEM5T1 ,RON ,JOHNSON WAS ON ! NEWS TALK+ AB\T H[ HE HAD MET ) 0GANG MEMB]S0 :O SAID !Y W\LD KEEP ! PEACE4 ,HE TOLD ! REPORT] CONFID5TLY3 0,I ?9K Y\'LL BE PLEASANTLY SURPRIS$ AT :AT'S GO+ TO HAPP540 ,9DE$4 

,A COALITION ( ACTIVI/ GR\PS =MS TO ISSUE 0RULES ( 5GAGEM5T10 DEM&+ SAFE SPACES FROM POLICE1 ?AT POLICE %\LD NOT WE> RIOT GE>1 NOT USE TE> GAS1 OR HAVE RIFLES4 ,! MO/ PROBLEMATIC DEM& IS 0,EV]Y ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE TO P9PO9T >RE/S SO ?AT ONLY 9DIVIDUAL LAWBREAK]S WILL BE >RE/$40,KETTL+0 & MASS >RE/S WILL NOT BE US$40 

,P>T ( ME HOPES ?AT ?IS RULES ( 5GAGEM5T ?+ IS A TRICK TO MAKE ! POLICE AS UNPREP>$ AS POSSIBLE1 ?AT \R 0SAFE SPACES0 W\LD ACTUALLY BE BASES = US TO PREP>E \R NEXT MOVES AGA9/ ! POLICE1 IF !Y AGRE$ TO \R RULE ( NO RIOT GE> OR RIFLES4 ,BUT OBVI\SLY1 IT ISN'T A TRICK4 ,IT SEEMS ODD TO EXPECT ! POLICE TO COMPLY ) DEM&S ?AT >E AB\T KEEP+ US SAFE4 ,:Y W\LD !Y EV] DO ?AT8 

,! DISP>ITY ( !IR =CE RELATIVE TO \RS IS NOT TO BE IGNOR$4 ,BUT WE %\LDN'T BE GROVEL+ & BEGG+4 ,COMP>$ TO !M1 WE HAVE FEW WAYS TO DEF5D \RSELVES1 BUT ! REALITY IS ?AT ! /ATE NE$S WEAPONRY TO PROTECT ITS WEAL? & P[] BECAUSE )\T !M1 ?+S C\LD EASILY SPIRAL \T ( CONTROL4 ,9 ,AUGU/1 PEOPLE W]E %OOT+ AT !M1 ?R[+ ROCKS1 BURN+ ?+S1 TE>+ ?+S AP>T1 & IT C\LD GR[4 

,:AT IS GO+ ON IS NOT JU/ A MATT] ( OV]-MILIT>IZATION4 ,:5 ! POLICE NE$$ MORE MILIT>Y =CE 9 PA/ REBELLIONS1 !Y JU/ CALL$ 9 ! ,NATIONAL ,GU>D1 :O SOMETIMES FIR$ LIVE R\NDS--= EXAMPLE1 9 ,DETROIT 9 #a#i#f#g4 

,:AT WE'RE SEE+ H]E N[ IS A TWO-PRONG$ ATTACK1 9 :I* ! POLICE & !IR RE=MI/ SYMPA?IZ]S CREATE RULES & DEM&S ?AT SEP>ATES 0GOOD0 PROTE/]S FROM 0BAD0 PROTE/]S4 ,9T5TIONALLY OR NOT1 !SE 0RULES ( 5GAGEM5T0 S]VE TO CONCEAL ! REALITY ( ! SITUATION4 ,! POLICE HAVE TE> GAS1 RUBB] BULLETS1 & RIOT GE> = A REASON3 WE >E A REAL ?REAT TO ! WEAL? & SUPREMACY !Y PROTECT4 ,?IS FI<T IS DANG]\S4 ,IT CAN RESULT 9 TRAUMA1 >RE/1 & POT5TIALLY DEA?4 ,MANY ( US W]E MORE ?AN WILL+ TO TAKE ?AT RISK4 ,WE >E ULTIMATELY SAF] :5 WE CONFRONT ?IS REALITY & SUPPORT ?OSE :O WANT TO 5GAGE 9 COMBATIVE ACTIONS4 

 ,NOVEMB] #b#d1 ,EV5+ 

  

,S4 ,FLORISSANT1 ,F]GUSON ,POLICE /ATION 

,I GO D[N TO ! ,F]GUSON POLICE /ATION TO BE !RE :5 ! V]DICT DROPP$4 ,NO ONE 9 ! CR[D EXPECTS ,WILSON TO BE 9DICT$4 ,WE HAVE KN[N :AT WILL HAPP5 FROM ! V]Y DAY ! GR& JURY />T$4 ,IT IS A /RESSFUL TO WAIT = SOME?+ Y\ ALREADY KN[4 

,EV5TUALLY1 ! MOM5T COMES4 ,! PROSECUTOR IS READ+ ! V]DICT4 ,SOMEONE HAS RIGG$ UP A ,P,A SY/EM TO BROADCA/ ! SPEE*4 ,IT'S CUTT+ 9 & \T4 ,I CAN B>ELY HE> IT4 

,I SEE PEOPLE %AK+ !IR HEADS4 ,! V]DICT IS CLE>3 NO 9DICTM5T4 ,WORD IS SPREAD+ ?R\< ! CR[D4 ,FOLKS />T TO YELL AT ! POLICE L9E GU>D+ ! /ATION4 ,MIKE ,BR[N'S /EPFA!R IS SCREAM+ = PEOPLE BURN ! POLICE /ATION D[N3 0,BURN ?IS BIT* D[N60 

,SOME PEOPLE ?R[ ?+S AT ! POLICE4 ,I HE>D LAT] ?AT ! FIR/ ?+ ?R[N AT !M WAS A BULLHORN4 ,?IS HAS ALL SORTS ( MEAN+ IF Y\ ?9K AB\T IT4 ,WE YELL$ AT Y\ = TOO LONG1 ?IS ?+ HAS PROV$ TO BE USELESS4 ,! TIME = TALK IS OV]6 ,AT ?IS PO9T1 !RE >E ONLY SOME?+ LIKE A DOZ5 RIOT POLICE !RE4 ,SOME ( !M />T TO BACK AWAY FRANTICALLY1 ALMO/ TRIPP+ OV] EA* O!R4 ,IT IS NICE TO SEE ! RI<TE\S T]ROR 9SPIR$ BY A CR[D ( ANGRY PEOPLE4 

,A WOMAN COMES ?R\< ! CR[D1 SOBB+4 ,I TRY TO COM=T H]4 ,%E SCREAMS1 0,WE'RE SO F> FROM EV] GETT+ ANY JU/ICE6 ,:Y80 ,WE HUG4 ,ANO!R WOMAN COMES UP & HOLDS H]4 ,I LET GO JU/ AS ,C,N,N COMES OV] TO RECORD ?IS MOM5T4 ,I GET 9 FRONT ( ! CAM]A & YELL AT !M = BE+ VULTURES1 = NOT LETT+ ?IS WOMAN HAVE ?IS MOM5T 9 PEACE4 ,!Y EV5TUALLY LEAVE4 ,! ANTAGONISM T[>DS ! M$IA IS PRETTY /RONG4 ,E>LI] 9 ! NI<T1 SOME M$IA FIGURES HAD BE5 ROBB$ & O!RS HAD BE5 ?REAT5$ ) VIOL5CE4 

,SUDD5LY1 GUN%OTS R+ \T & PEOPLE SURGE OV] TO :]E !Y >E4 ,PEOPLE RUN T[>DS ! GUN%OTS4 ,W9D[S />T BREAK+ ALL >\ND US4 ,SOME PEACE POLICE >E TRY+ REALLY H>D TO GU>D ! BUS9ESSES4 ,IT'S IMPOSSIBLE4 

,:ILE ?AT IS HAPP5+1 A L>GE P>T ( ! CR[D IS M>*+ TO A =MATION ( RIOT POLICE D[N ! /REET TO CONFRONT !M4 ,PEOPLE />T TO BREAK UP BLOCKS ( PAV+ /ONES1 CONCRETE1 ANY?+ !Y CAN F9D TO ?R[4 ,! S\ND ( ROCKS HITT+ RIOT %IELDS IS CON/ANT4 

,A COP C> IS P>K$ AB\T #ae FEET 9 FRONT ( ! L9E ( COPS1 :]E MO/ ( ! CR[D IS4 ,FOLKS />T TO TRA% IT4 ,W9D[S >E SMA%$ & ANY?+ LOOSE 9 ! C> IS GRABB$4 ,I HE> LAT] ?AT SOMEONE POPP$ ! TRUNK & TOOK AN ,>-#a#e \T ( IT4 ,NO ONE IS /OPP+ ANYONE2 IF ANYONE WANT$ TO1 !Y'D BE \TNUMB]$4 ,NE>BY1 ,I HE> TWO Y\NG GIRLS YELL+ EXPLETIVES AT ! POLICE4 ,ONE ( !M1 EMB>RASS$1 SAYS1 0,OH1 ,I'M SORRY6 ,I DON'T USUALLY CUSS4 ,I GO TO *UR* EV]Y ,SUNDAY60 ,!Y LAU<1 PICK UP ROCKS1 & ?R[ !M AT ! COP C>4 ,!RE >E NUM]\S CAM]AS >\ND & !Y >5'T WE>+ MASKS4 ,I TRY TO W>N !M1 BUT !Y JU/ %RUG4 

,! POLICE YELL OV] ! 9T]COM 0,P,L,E,A,S,E ,/,O,P ,?,R,[,+ ,R,O,C,K,S6 ,Y,\ ,W,I,L,L ,B,E ,S,U,B,J,E,C,T ,T,O ,>,R,E,/ ,&_/,O,R ,O,!,R ,M,E,A,S,U,R,E,S6 ,/,O,P ,I,T ,N,[60 ,PEOPLE />T TO ROCK ! C> TO TRY TO FLIP IT4 0,P,L,E,A,S,E ,/,O,P ,T,R,Y,+ ,T,O ,F,L,I,P ,! ,P,O,L,I,C,E ,C,>1 ,O,R ,Y,\ ,W,I,L,L ,B,E ,S,U,B,J,E,C,T ,T,O ,>,R,E,/6 ,/,O,P ,N,[60 

,! COPS >E FIR+ RUBB] BULLETS & PELLETS4 ,BESIDE ME1 !RE'S A MAN YELL+2 SUDD5LY1 HE SCREAMS & COV]S HIS EYE4 ,A PELLET HAS HIT HIS EYE1 BL9D+ HIM4 ,AS MORE PELLETS FLY1 WE'RE RU%+ TO PULL HIM AWAY TO SAFETY :ILE HE SCREAMS4 ,SOME PEOPLE GRAB ! MAN & RU% HIM TO ! HOSPITAL4 ,LAT]1 ,I HE> ?AT HE LO/ HIS EYE4 

,AT A LOSS1 ! POLICE FIRE TE> GAS & BEANBAG R\NDS4 ,AS WE RUN FROM ! GAS1 ,I SEE AN OLD] BLACK MAN ASK+ Y\NG] KIDS IF !Y'RE LEAV+4 

0,Y\ ALL LEAV+ ALREADY8 ,OR >E Y\ JU/ TAK+ A BREAK & GONNA GO BACK = MORE8 ,YEAH1 TAKE A BREAK1 BUT DON'T LEAVE6 ,KEEP Y\R /R5G?4 ,GO BACK = MORE40 ,SAGE ADVICE4 

,PEOPLE WAIT UNTIL ! TE> GAS DISSIPATES & COME BACK & ?R[ MORE ROCKS AT ! L9E4 ,! COP C> IS TOTAL$ & !RE IS NO?+ REALLY LEFT = PEOPLE TO DO BUT TO TRY TO FLIP IT AGA94 ,9 RESPONSE1 ! POLICE %OOT MORE TE> GAS1 ?IS TIME A :OLE *OK+ LOT ( IT4 

,F9ALLY1 ! CR[D DISBURSES 9TO NEI<BORHOOD AS ! POLICE ADVANCE T[>DS ! POLICE /ATION1 FIR+ GAS 9TO ! SIDE /REETS4 ,SOME FOLKS LOOT A ,BOO/,MOBILE /ORE & O!R %OPS4 ,FUR!R AWAY FROM ! POLICE L9E1 A TRA%CAN IS ON FIRE4 ,I RUN 9TO SOME FOLKS :O >E LOOT+ PRICEY HAIR EXT5SIONS & GETT+ 9TO A C>4 ,I W>N !M AB\T COV]+ !IR LIC5SE PLATES & !Y GIVE ME A SMIRK FROM UND] !IR MASKS3 0,?IS ISN'T \R C>1 WE'RE GOOD40 

,MY GR\P DECIDES TO CIRCLE BACK TO ! POLICE L9E :]E \R C>S >E P>K$4 ,WE WALK ?R\< ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,SOMEONE NE> US POPS (F A FEW %OTS 9 ! DIRECTION ( ! POLICE1 PRETTY NON*ALANT4 ,9 RETURN1 ! POLICE FIRE MORE GAS4 ,WE LOOP BACK TO ,S4 ,FLORRISANT1 :]E ! COP C> IS N[ ON FIRE4 ,IT IS A BEAUTIFUL & R>E SI<T4 ,LAT] ,I HE> ?AT ANO!R POLICE C> BEH9D IT WAS SET ON FIRE TOO4 

 ,W4 ,FLORISSANT 

  

,WE GET TO \R C> & DROVE TO ,WE/ ,FLORISSANT4 ,AS WE PULL UP1 PEOPLE >E LOOT+ EV]Y?+4 ,ALL ! BO>DS HAVE BE5 TAK5 (F ! BUS9ESSES4 

,AS USUAL1 PHOTOGRAPH]S >E TAK+ PHOTOS ( ?OSE LOOT+4 ,SOME FOLKS GO UP TO !M & TELL !M ?AT !Y %\LD /OP = !IR SAFETY4 ,TWO ( ! ?REE /OP1 V]Y N]V\S4 ,I TELL !M1 0,DON'T PULL ?AT %IT :]E ,I LEAVE & !N Y\'RE BACK TAK+ PHOTOS6 ,WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO GET >RE/$ LAT] = ?IS4 ,?IS IS = Y\R SAFETY & = ! SAFETY ( EV]YONE40 ,T]RIFI$1 !Y LEAVE4 ,! O!R GUY LOOKS LIKE HE C\LD HOLD HIS [N AGA9/ US4 ,HE TELLS US HE ISN'T A SNIT*4 

,WE WALK D[N ! /REET4 ,LOTS ( ALCOHOL FL[+4 ,LOTS ( CONSUM] GOODS NO LONG] BE+ CONSUM] GOODS4 ,A GR\P ( :AT SEEMS LIKE MIDDLE-S*OOL KIDS COMES UP TO US & ASKS IF WE WANT ANY C&Y1 BECAUSE !IR PURSES >E TOO HEAVY4 ,9 RETURN1 SOMEONE (F]S !M SOME FANCY COGNAC & ONE ( !M YELLS ?AT !Y >E UND]AGE--& YEAH1 GIVE ME SOME6 

,WE HAD DI/RIBUT$ MASKS & GLOVES E>LI]4 ,SPRAY CANS >E BE+ PASS$ >\ND = ANYONE TO USE4 ,FOOD & LIQUOR >E %>$1 FIRES >E BLAZ+4 ,PEOPLE >E GETT+ DRUNK] & DRUNK]4 ,C>S >E />T+ TO GET A BIT MORE WILD & \T ( CONTROL ON ! /REETS4 ,IT SEEMS LIKE AS PEOPLE GO FROM ONE /ORE TO ! NEXT1 FIRE IS FOLL[+4 

,I'M /&+ 9 ! CR[D4 ,! FIRE IS BL[+ UP ! NI<T4 ,! POLICE & FIRE DEP>TM5T CAN ONLY WAIT UNTIL WE GET TIR$ & ?OSE ) GUNS MOVE ON OR RUN \T ( BULLETS4 ,POP-POP-POP-POP6 ,I HE> ! NOISE & SCAN MY SURR\ND+S4 ,I WAT* ! FIRES BURN4 ,! FLAMES >E SO HI<4 ,:AT IS NORMALLY A /]ILE & CONTROLL$ REALITY IS TRANS=M+ 9TO ITS ESS5CE3 TOXIC SMOKE4 ,! MAT]IAL ?AT IS BURN+ CAME FROM ! E>?1 VIOL5TLY EXTRACT$ TO FE$ CAPITALISM & TRANS=M$ 9TO BULL%IT /RIP MALLS4 ,WE FREQU5T !SE PLACES1 WE %OP & %OPLIFT !RE2 !Y HIRE US1 !Y EXPLOIT US1 !Y TAKE \R MONEY4 ,N[1 IT'S A BILL[+ CL\D P]MEAT+ ! AIR4 ,I REMEMB] ! WOMAN 9 ,AUGU/ SCREAM+ = PEOPLE TO BURN ALL ?IS %IT D[N4 ,H] DEM& HAS BE5 TAK5 TO HE>T TONI<T4 

,! POLICE SL[LY MOVE 9 AS FOLKS RUN \T ( ?+S TO LOOT4 ,! COPS >E NOT DO+ ANY?+ O!R ?AN PROTECT+ ! FIRE DEP>TM5T1 :O >E NOT ABLE TO PUT \T ! FIRES ON ACC\NT ( ALL ! GUNFIRE4 ,\R GR\P DECIDES TO LEAVE & GO TO ! S\? SIDE ( ,/4 ,L\IS1 :]E O!R PROTE/S >E GO+ ON4 ,BUT ! ?+ IS444 \R C> IS ! N[ BLOCK$ (F BY ! POLICE L9E AT ! ,F]GUSON ,M>T4 ,TOO SKET*$ \T & MAYBE TOO 9CRIM9AT$ TO WALK PA/ !M1 WE TRY TO SNEAK ?R\< ! NEI<BORHOOD1 WOND]+ IF WE CAN MAKE IT ?R\< ! L9E SOME O!R WAY4 ,WE F9D A /REET ?AT MI<T WORK1 /A% ANY /UFF ?AT MI<T GET US POPP$1 & WALK SL[LY T[>DS ! COPS4 ,!Y IMM$IATELY TELL US TO TURN >\ND & FUCK (F4 ,\R NEXT OPTION3 "9SNEAK ACROSS A TRA9 BRIDGE ?AT GOES OV] TO ! O!R SIDE ( ,W4 ,FLORISSANT4 

,WE SNEAK ?R\< PEOPLE'S Y>DS & RUN UP ! HILL TO GET TO ! TRACKS4 ,ON ONE SIDE ( US1 !RE >E HOMES2 ON ! O!R1 A GROC]Y /ORE GU>D$ BY ! ,NATIONAL ,GU>D4 ,WE WALK BEH9D A F5CE OV]GR[N ) V9ES ?AT GIVE US COV]4 ,AS WE WALK1 TIPTOE+1 AVOID+ ROCKS1 /EPP+ ON ! TIES1 TRY+ NOT TO MAKE TOO MU* NOISE1 WE HE> ! SOLDI]S TALK+ AMONG !MSELVES4 ,EV5TUALLY1 ,I HE> ONE ( !M 9T]RUPT3 0,HEY444 DID Y\ HE> ?AT8 ,S\NDS LIKE !RE'S SOME?+ OV] !RE40 

,FUCK4 ,!Y'RE PO9T+ 9 \R DIRECTION4 ,WE ALL FREEZE1 HOP+ !Y'LL ?9K IT'S JU/ ! W9D OR ! G5]AL CACOPHONY ( GUNFIRE & EXPLOSIONS4 ,F9ALLY1 WE />T TO WALK1 BUT AGA91 WE HE> !M MURMUR+ AB\T A NOISE ON ! TRACKS4 ,REALIZ+ H[ SKET*Y ?IS ALL IS1 ?AT WE C\LD EASILY BE P]CEIV$ TO BE MAK+ AN ATTACK ON ! GROC]Y /ORE & ! POLICE COMM& C5T]1 WE DECIDE TO HEAD BACK TO ! NEI<BORHOOD & FIGURE \T SOME?+ ELSE4 

,WE ME&] >\ND ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,!RE >E REALLY ONLY ONE OR TWO EXITS TO ! MA9 /REET & COPS ) ASSAULT RIFLES >E GU>D+ !M4 ,WE WALK PA/ A H\SE ) PEOPLE \TSIDE2 !Y W>N US ?AT !RE'S A COP UP ! WAY4 ,G5]\SLY1 !Y 9VITE US 9SIDE4 ,AS WE ALL DR9K LIQUOR TOGE!R1 WE ?ANK !M = !IR HOSPITALITY & TALK AB\T :AT'S GO+ ON4 ,! TELEVISION IS ON1 %[+ HELICOPT] FOOTAGE ( ,W4 ,FLORISSANT TOTALLY ON FIRE4 ,WE SEE FOOTAGE ( ! TWO COP C>S ON FIRE ON ,S4 ,FLORISSANT4 ,ONE ( ! PEOPLE 9 ! H\SE IS S++ ! I,LOVE,MAKONN5 SONG 0,TUESDAY10 BECAUSE IT'S ,MONDAY & HE'S WOND]+ :AT'S GO+ TO GO UP ON ,TUESDAY4 

,NEXT1 WE SEE FOOTAGE ( PEOPLE BLOCK+ ,HI<WAY ,I-#d#d D[N ON ! S\? SIDE ( ! CITY & !N1 LAT]1 FOOTAGE ( PEOPLE LOOT+ ! PAWN%OP ON ,S\? ,GR&1 :I* IS MORE ( A BOHEMIAN NEI<BORHOOD4 ,MO/ NOTABLY1 SOMEONE COMES \T ) A CROSSB[4 ,! ,S\? ,GR& PROTE/S HAVE HAD A DIFF]5T *>ACT]2 !Y'VE BE5 MORE PEACE-ORI5T$4 ,SOME FOLKS :O >E FAMILI> TO US FROM ! PREVI\S MON?S 9 ,F]GUSON >E !RE1 9CLUD+ ! BOX TRUCK ?AT READS 0,NO ,%OOT1 ,NO ,LOOT0 ON IT4 ,A FRI5D TELLS ME LAT] ?AT !Y >E AMONG ! FIR/ PEOPLE TO PROPOSE LOOT+1 YELL+ & PO9T+ AT ! PAWN%OP4 ,!Y'RE 9 ! WRONG SPACE1 SADLY4 ,LAT]1 ,I HE> FROM FRI5DS ?AT ACTIVI/ ORGANIZ] TYPES W]E GO+ >\ND ATTACK+ ANYONE BREAK+ ?+S OR TRY+ TO LOOT4 

,EV5TUALLY1 FRI5DS ) A C> F9D A WAY TO GET US4 ,WE CRAM 9TO !IR SMALL C> & HEAD TO ! CITY VIA A V]Y LONG R\TE4 ,:5 WE GET TO ,S\? ,GR&1 IT'S G5]AL *AOS4 ,! POLICE >E DRIV+ ,BE>CATS >\ND1 %9+ !IR LI<TS ON SMALL GR\PS & TE>-GASS+ EV]Y 9T]SECTION 9 ALL DIRECTIONS4 ,!Y'RE TRY+ H>D TO GET US TO DISP]SE4 

,WE RUN 9TO EI<T OR N9E TE5AGE KIDS1 ONE ( :OM ,I MET 9 ,F]GUSON 9 ,AUGU/4 ,SOME ( US %>$ SOME *IPS TOGE!R ON ONE ( ! NI<TS ! /ORES W]E LOOT$4 ,9ITIALLY1 WE SKET* !M \T1 BUT EV5TUALLY ! P]SON ,I MET MON?S AGO REMEMB]S ME & WE'RE COOL4 ,9V9CIBLE AS *ILDR51 !Y REALLY DON'T GIVE A FUCK2 IT'S K9D ( CRAZY4 ,!Y TALK AB\T :E!R TO LOOT A CLO?+ /ORE D[N ! ROAD1 BUT ,I HAD SE5 LOTS ( ,NATIONAL ,GU>D 9 ! P>K+ LOT :5 ,I HAD DRIV5 BY IT E>LI] 9 ! DAY4 ,WE CONV9CE !M ?AT IT IS A REALLY BAD IDEA4 ,!Y AGREE & ?ANK US = ! HEADS UP4 ,I ASK !M :]E !Y >E FROM & !Y ALL RESPOND1 0,NOR? ,C\NTY40 ,!Y K9D ( REGRET COM+ \T H]E2 !Y WI% !Y HAD /AY$ 9 ,F]GUSON :]E ?+S >E /ILL HAPP5+ & ! COPS >5'T DO+ ANY?+ TO /OP IT4 ,BUT IT'S PRETTY AMAZ+ ?AT !Y DECID$ TO MAKE ! TRIP \T H]E TO EXPRESS !IR RAGE4 

,SOME ( !IR FOLKS />T RIPP+ UP METAL TRA%CAN LIDS & ?R[+ !M AT ! NE>E/ W9D[S !Y CAN F9D4 ,LUCKILY1 :5 ! POLICE DRIVE BY US1 !Y MISS ?IS1 BECAUSE !Y >E SO BUSY DEAL+ ) ! CR[D D[N ! ROAD4 ,BUT AFT] T5 M9UTES1 !Y POP \T ON US & WE ALL RUN4 

,WE HEAD BACK D[N ,S\? ,GR& TO :]E MO/ PEOPLE >E4 ,LOTS ( PEOPLE HAVE N[ TAK5 %ELT] 9 A C(FEE %OP ?AT HAS BE5 AN ORGANIZ+ EPIC5T] = ! PROTE/S 9 ! CITY4 ,IT IS ALSO ONE ( ! 0SAFE SPACES0 ?AT ACTIVI/S ASK$ ! POLICE TO RESPECT4 ,! POLICE >E N[ /&+ \TSIDE ( IT FIR+ TE> GAS ONTO ! PATIO4 ,!RE'S SOME?+ LIKE A HUNDR$ PEOPLE 9SIDE & ! GAS IS SEEP+ 94 

,IT'S ABSOLUTELY T]RIBLE1 BUT IT'S NOT SURPRIS+ ?AT ! POLICE >E NOT CONC]N$ AB\T SAFE SPACE4 

 ,NOVEMB] #be 

  

,TONI<T1 !RE IS ANO!R RALLY \TSIDE ! ,F]GUSON ,POLICE ,DEP>TM5T4 ,! CR[D IS MU* SMALL] ?AN LA/ NI<T4 ,IT MAKES S5SE2 A LOT ( PEOPLE W]E UP LATE & LOTS W5T D[N4 ,BUT PEOPLE >E /ILL ANGRY & CONFRONTATIONAL4 ,! POLICE & ! ,NATIONAL ,GU>D HAVE 9CREAS$ !IR PRES5CE 9 FRONT ( ! POLICE DEP>TM5T4 ,!Y >E L>GELY ABLE TO MA9TA9 CONTROL1 RU%+ 9TO ! CR[D & ATTACK+ PEOPLE EV]Y TIME A BOTTLE OR ROCK IS ?R[N4 

,D[N ! /REET1 !RE IS A PRES5CE ( MO/LY :ITE1 >M$ MILITIAM51 PRESUMABLY ! NOTORI\S ,OA? ,KEEP]S--COMPRIS$ ( =M] COPS & MILIT>Y4 ,!Y'RE HID+ ON ! RO(S ( BUS9ESSES1 WE>+ >MOR & SPORT+ ASSAULT RIFLES4 ,I JO9 SOME FOLKS 9 YELL+ AT !M1 ASK+ !M :AT !Y'RE UP !RE =4.<#b.> 

,AFT] WE SP5D A FEW H\RS /&+ (F ) ! POLICE1 SOMEONE YELLS ?AT WE %\LD GO D[N ! /REET TO ,F]GUSON ,CITY ,HALL4 ,WE QUICKLY DEP>T1 LEAV+ ! SURPRIS$ POLICE BEH9D4 ,HAV+ M>*$ A FEW BLOCKS1 PROTE/]S R\ND A CORN] & APPROA* ! UNGU>D$ CITY HALL BUILD+4 ,!RE IS A LONE EMPTY COP C> P>K$ 9 FRONT ( IT4 ,IMM$IATELY1 PEOPLE BEG9 TO ATTACK ! BUILD+ & ! POLICE CRUIS]4 ,PEOPLE BREAK ! CRUIS]'S W9D[S & ATTEMPT TO FLIP IT OV] & SET IT ON FIRE :ILE O!RS BREAK ! W9D[S ( CITY HALL ) :ATEV] !Y CAN F9D4 ,BY ! TIME ! POLICE >RIVE ) !IR >MOR$ VEHICLES & C>S1 ! CR[D HAS MOV$ BACK T[>DS ! MA9 /REET1 ,S\? ,FLORISSANT4 ,A FEW CRUIS]S HAVE !IR W9D[S SMA%$ \T AS ! >MOR$ VEHICLES %OOT TE> GAS 9TO ! AIR4 

,AS PROTE/]S MAKE !IR WAY BACK T[>DS ! POLICE /ATION1 !RE IS TALK ( GO+ TO ! MALL TO %UT IT D[N4 ,SOME PROTE/]S DO ?AT LAT] 9 ! NI<T4 ,! NI<T IS MU* CALM]1 BUT MO/LY BECAUSE ! ,NATIONAL ,GU>D IS PREEMPTIVELY GU>D+ /ORES1 UNLIKE ! PREVI\S NI<T4 

 ,PO/SCRIPT #bai 

  

CLIMB+ DEAD BODIES SO Y\ CAN GET TO HEAV5 

,LONG L9ES ( SYMBOLS LIKE ! ONES Y\'VE BE5 READ+ >E (T5 US$ TO OBSCURE FLE%-&-BLOOD BODIES4 ,WRITT5 & SPOK5 WORDS HAVE BE5 US$ TIME & TIME AGA9 TO DECEIVE & HIDE4 ,! FIR/ WRIT]S W]E AN ELITE CLASS :O HELP$ ! RUL+ CLASS TO KEEP RECORDS ( !IR SLAVES1 GRA9S1 >MIES1 MONEY1 SOV]EIGNTY1 & P[]4 ,MU* ( :AT IS KN[N AB\T PA/ /ATES COMES D[N TO US FROM !SE SCRIBES :O KEPT RECORDS ( /ATE & RELIGI\S AFFAIRS BUT NOT MU* AB\T ! DAY-TO-DAY AFFAIRS ( ORD9>Y PEOPLE4 ,!RE >5'T V]Y MANY AUTOBIOGRAPHIES ( 5SLAV$ ,EGYPTIAN PYRAMID BUILD]S1 OR ( PEASANTS 9 ,AFRICA1 ! ,AM]ICAS1 ,EUROPE1 OR ,ASIA--& !RE >E RELATIVELY FEW FROM ,AFRICAN SLAVES 9 ! ,AM]ICAS4 ,SCRIBES HELP$ TO C>VE ECONOMIC RECORDS1 LAWS1 COMM&M5TS1 DECL>ATIONS1 & MY?S 9TO /ONES ?AT MANY ( \R ANCE/ORS C\LDN'T READ1 :I* W]E ULTIMATELY US$ TO VICTIMIZE !M4 ,! ,WORD WAS SACR$ & PEOPLE W]E PUNI%$ IF !Y S9N$ AGA9/ IT4 ,A FICTITI\S GOD :O SAW & DRECORD$ ALL1 ANO!R K9D ( HI/ORIAN KEEP+ TABS ON US1 (T5 PLAY$ A ROLE 9 !SE /ORIES4 

,! WORLD US$ TO HOLD A VA/ MULTITUDE ( DIFF]5T HUMAN TRADITIONS 9 C\NTLESS DIFF]5T LANGUAGES4 ,WE'LL NEV] KN[ :AT ?AT WAS LIKE4 ,WAS IT BETT]8 ,I DON'T KN[4 ,! DOM9ANT LANGUAGES ?AT EXI/ N[ >E DOM9ANT BECAUSE ( A FEW P[] /RUCTURES ?AT WIP$ \T O!R LANGUAGES & CULTURES4 ,IT C\LD BE >GU$ ?AT ! LANGUAGES WE SPEAK >E NOT \RS--?AT 9 SOME WAYS1 !Y >E OPPOS$ TO \R 9T]E/S1 ! PRODUCTS ( A LONG HI/ORY ( :ITTL+ D[N4 ,BUT BE+ /UCK ) !M1 WE ALSO SUBV]T !M ALL ! TIME1 *ANG+ ! DEF9ITIONS ( WORDS TO BECOME FRE] OR ELUDE ! AU?ORITIES4 

,\R /ORIES CAN EASILY *ANGE ) TIME & P]SPECTIVE4 ,MEMORY IS FOGGY1 DAYS & MOM5TS CAN GET MIX$ TOGE!R OR SPLIT AP>T4 ,SOMETIMES WE DISCOV] CRUCIAL NEW DETAILS--POSSIBLY YE>S LAT]4 

 ,! ,CURSE ( ,F]GUSON 

  

,IT'S BECOME H>D TO SAY 0,F]GUSON0 ANYMORE1 SEE+ ?IS NAME 9VOK$ BY SO MANY DIFF]5T PEOPLE TO MAKE SO MANY DIFF]5T PO9TS4 ,EV]YBODY WANTS A PIECE4 ,! /ATE1 ! POLICE1 ACTIVI/S1 AN>*I/S1 BLACK NATIONALI/S1 ,MAOI/S & O!R POLITICAL CULTS1 !Y ALL HAVE !IR 9T]PRETATIONS4 ,MO/ ( !SE HI<LI<T A FEW SPECTACUL>1 EXAGG]AT$ ELEM5TS & D[NPLAY ! O!RS TO FIT !IR FRAMEWORK1 (T5 FROM A V]Y SELF-IMPORTANT P]SPECTIVE4 

,! LEGACY ( ! EV5TS 9 ,F]GUSON HAS PUT SOME ACTIVI/S & LEAD]S ON A P$E/AL TO BE LOOK$ UP TO4 ,!RE IS WIDESPREAD PRESSURE TO PROVE Y\RSELF 9 ACTIVI/ CIRCLES--&1 TO SOME EXT5T1 9 AN>*I/ CIRCLES1 AS WELL4 ,H[ MANY BATTLE SC>S DO Y\ HAVE8 ,H[ MANY CIVIL DISOB$I5CE >RE/S OR M$IA APPE>ANCES8 ,H[ VICTIMIZ$ HAVE Y\ BE58 ,!SE >E AMONG ! WAYS ?AT SOME HAVE BUILT !IR MILITANT CR$4 ,9 ,AUGU/1 SOME ( ?OSE SAME PEOPLE W]E \T ON ! /REET TRY+ TO /OP ! LOOT+1 DISC\RAGE DEF5SE MEASURES1 & SUPPRESS ! G5]AL COMBATIV5ESS ( ?OSE \TSIDE !IR CIRCLES4 ,IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO HE> SOME PEOPLE USE ! FACT ( HAV+ BE5 9 ,F]GUSON AS CL\T1 TO SPEAK POSITIVELY ( BURN+ COP C>S--)\T REF]5C+ !IR [N REPRESSIVE ACTIONS--9 SPEE*ES AT UNIV]SITIES LIKE ,H>V>D :]E NO ONE CAN *ALL5GE !M4 

,I'VE SE5 YELL+ MAT*ES BETWE5 DEMON/RATORS 9 :I* BO? SIDES W]E %\T+ 0,I WAS !RE FROM DAY ONE60 9 REF]5CE TO ,AUGU/ #i1 #b#a#d4 ,H[ PETTY TO TRY TO CLIMB TO ! TOP OV] ! ?\S&S ( O!RS :O P>TICIPAT$ 9 ! REBELLION--PEOPLE :O DIDN'T MAKE ! M$IA S\ND BITE1 HAD NO ACTIVI/ SAFETY NETWORK1 :O W]E NOT NONVIOL5T1 :OSE VOICES W]E A LITTLE TOO QUIET OR :OSE LANGUAGE WAS NOT COMPREH5SIBLE TO ?OSE :O WIELD 9/ITUTIONAL P[]4 ,! TRU? IS ?AT !RE NEV] WAS A COH]5T FRONTL9E4 ,PEOPLE LOOK = NAMES & ORGANIZATIONS TO BUILD A /ORY >\ND1 BUT ?AT'S NOT :AT ! /ORY IS4 

,F]GUSON HAS BECOME A SYMBOL4 ,9 REALITY1 IT'S JU/ ONE MORE PLACE AMONG MANY :]E FUCK$ UP %IT IS HAPP5+4 ,IT'S A SMALL SUBURB ( #b1 PEOPLE TUCK$ 9TO A SEA ( #c DIFF]5T MUNICIPALITIES ON ! $GE ( ,/4 ,L\IS ,CITY4 ,/RIP MALLS1 SEGREGATION1 SUBURBAN ROADS1 FLAT & BOR+4 ,IT C\LD BE ANY:]E 9 ! ,U,S4 ,!RE IS NO DEF9+ SPIRIT ?AT Y\ CAN ATTRIBUTE TO ?IS PLACE4 ,IT'S NOT A REBEL T]RITORY ?AT IS CON/ANTLY DEF5D$2 !RE IS NO WELL-E/ABLI%$ COLLECTIVE CULTURE ( RESI/ANCE4 ,= SOME1 IT'S JU/ ANO!R HA%TAG4 ,= O!RS1 IT BECAME A /RUGGLE LABORATORY4 

,= ! /ATE1 :AT W5T D[N 9 ,F]GUSON HAS BECOME A WORK%OP = ! /UDY ( 0RACE RELATIONS10 CR[D CONTROL /RATEGY1 & RE=M4 ,! SAME ?+ SEEMS TO HAPP5 AFT] EV]Y UPRIS+ 9 REC5T TIMES--A F$]AL OR /ATE REPORT IS PUT \T AB\T :AT HAPP5$ & :AT C\LD BE DONE 9 ! FUTURE4 ,READ+ ! N>RATIVE ( ! POLICE CAN BE FUNNY & USEFUL BECAUSE (T51 IT FRAMES ! SITUATION MORE REALI/ICALLY1 AL?\< !Y /ILL GET SO MU* WRONG4 ,IF NO?+ ELSE1 !Y'RE NOT TRY+ TO CONCEAL ! COMBATIV5ESS ( ?OSE :O ATTACK$ !M 9 ! WAY ?AT MANY 0RADICAL0 POLITICOS DO4 

,= MANY ACADEMICS & REVOLUTION>IES1 :AT HAPP5$ 9 ,F]GUSON IS SOME?+ TO %OEHORN 9TO GR& N>RATIVES AB\T A REVOLUTION>Y SUBJECT1 ,M>X1 OR ANTI-BLACKNESS4 ,H[ FRU/RAT+ IT IS :5 !Y USE !IR 9COMPREH5SIBLE J>GON TO SPEAK AB\T A SITUATION 9 :I* MANY PEOPLE PASSIONATELY F\<T & WE CAN'T EV5 UND]/& IT6 ,IT'S AS IF1 EV5 ?\< WE W]E !RE1 WE W]5'T !RE 9 !IR N>RATIVE3 WE BECOME *ESS PIECES 9 SOMEONE ELSE'S GR& !ORY1 TO BE MOV$ >\ND ONLY :5 IT SUITS ! PLAY]4 ,IF SOME ( US DON'T FIT ! !ORY1 ! ?9K]S JU/ ]ASE US4 

,SOME ( !IR ANALYSIS MI<T BE USEFUL1 ALL ! SAME1 BUT IT'S ODD H[ 9ACCESSIBLE IT ALL IS CONSID]+ H[ S]I\SLY SOME ( !SE FOLKS TAKE 0:ITE SUPREMACY0 & 0ANTI-BLACKNESS40 

 ,REVOLUTION>Y ,N>RATIVE VS4 ,DAILY ,LIFE 

  

,DI/RU/ ( ! POLICE & ! /ATE HAS L$ SOME TO DEVELOP CONSPIRACY !ORIES AB\T :Y ! REBELLION 5D$4 ,= 9/ANCE1 SOME PEOPLE1 9CLUD+ SOME AN>*I/S1 BELIEVE ?AT SOME ( ! PEOPLE :O DI$ 9 ! YE>S AFT] ! REBELLION W]E REVOLUTION>IES MURD]$ BY ! /ATE OR :ITE SUPREMACI/S4 ,IT IS >GUABLE :E!R MO/ ( ?OSE :O HAVE DI$ W\LD HAVE CALL$ !MSELVES REVOLUTION>IES4 ,IT MI<T BE MORE ACCURATE TO SAY !Y W]E PEOPLE :O W]E CAU<T UP 9 ! REBELLION BUT ALSO HAD PA/ LIVES ?AT EV5TUALLY CAU<T BACK UP TO !M4 

,/4 ,L\IS IS A VIOL5T PLACE1 FULL ( 9T]G5]ATIONAL TRAUMA ?AT CAN FOLL[ Y\ = Y\R :OLE LIFE4 ,:5 ,I'VE TALK$ ) 7USUALLY WORK+ CLASS7 PEOPLE MY AGE FROM H]E1 IT'S NOT UNCOMMON TO HE> AB\T H[ MU* !Y WANT TO GET \T ( ?IS PLACE4 ,!RE >E ALWAYS /ORIES AB\T A FRI5D OR FAMILY MEMB] DY+ FROM GUN VIOL5CE OR DRUGS4 ,!RE'S A LEGITIMATE FE> ( BE+ ! NEXT VICTIM ( ! POLICE & ! /REET4 

,! /ORY AB\T REVOLUTION>Y FRE$OM FI<T]S BE+ REPRESS$ BY SECRETIVE 5EMIES DI/RACTS PEOPLE FROM EXAM9+ DAILY LIFE 9 MASS SOCIETY4 ,9 \R [N WAYS1 WE ALL SUFF] ! DAILY 9DIGNITIES ( LIV+ 9 A HI<LY RACIALIZ$ CAPITALI/ ORD]1 9 :I* 9T]P]SONAL VIOL5CE1 WORK1 REPRESSIVE FAMILY RELATIONS1 HOMOPHOBIA1 DRUG & ALCOHOL ADDICTION1 DEPRESSION1 & DESP]ATION >E WIDESPREAD & (T5 MU* MORE DEADLY ?AN ! POLICE4 ,DAILY LIFE IS KILL+ US1 QUICKLY OR SL[LY4 ,! POLICE >E (T5 NOT ! MO/ DANG]\S ?REAT WE FACE4 ,! FI<T IS AGA9/ DAILY LIFE4 

 ,! ,L[ ,MURMUR+S ( A ,LIV$ ,HI/ORY 

  

,DEA? IS NOT ALWAYS ! ABS5CE ( HE>TBEAT4 ,IT'S NOT ALWAYS A BULLET TE>+ Y\R S\L AP>T FROM Y\R BODY4 ,IT IS NOT ALWAYS SOME?+ PHYSICAL4 ,ANO!R =M ( DEA? IS NEV] BE+ SE5 OR HE>D BECAUSE Y\R EXI/5CE IS TOO OBSCURE OR COMPLICAT$ TO BE 9CORPORAT$ 9TO ANYONE'S SOCIAL OR POLITICAL PROGRAM4 

,YET1 TO ME1 ?IS IS ULTIMATELY A /R5G?4 ,WE %\LD NOT BE 9 A HURRY TO HELP ANYONE ID5TIFY OR OV]SIMPLIFY US4 ,WE CONF\ND EV]Y GREAT N>RATIVE1 EV]Y PROGRAM4 ,?AT'S ! /RUGGLE1 9 MY VIEW3 TO RESI/ CATEGORIZATION1 TO BUILD RELATIONS )\T TRY+ TO MEASURE UP TO ANY?+ O!R ?AN ! MEASURES WE MAKE \RSELVES4 

,AFT] ! :IRLW9D1 ! RECORD SL[LY BECOMES SET & FIX$4 ,\R 5EMIES--! ACTIVI/S1 ACADEMICS1 PREA*]S1 POLICE1 & POLITICIANS--RECUP]ATE ! /ORY !Y HAVE SO DESP]ATELY BE5 TRY+ TO [N4 ,! /ORY ?AT EXCE$$ !IR GRASP4 ,!Y HAVE ALL ! TIME !Y NE$ TO DO ?IS--IT'S !IR JOB TO REPRESS & PACKAGE RAGE 9TO SOME?+ PALATABLE4 ,SOME >E ACTUALLY PAID TO DO ?IS2 ?AT P>T IS NOT A CONSPIRACY !ORY4 ,= ?OSE EXCLUD$ FROM ?IS %[1 TIME PASSES1 MEMORY FADES1 BILLS NE$ TO GET PAID1 KIDS NE$ TO BE RAIS$1 ! HU/LE CONT9UES4 

,! DOCUM5T>IES & BOOKS >E WRITT51 ) NOTABLE FIGURES QUOT$4 ,IT HURTS TO WAT*4 ,IT'S LIKE ! TWILI<T ZONE3 9 ! FIR/ P>T ( ! EPISODE1 WE'RE AT W> ) ! ONES :O DECRI$ ! RIOT+1 BUT LAT] ON1 !Y'VE REWRITT5 !MSELVES AS ! NEW 0FRONTL9E0 MILITANTS4 ,WE KN[ ! SECRET1 BUT IT'S NO USE TRY+ TO EXPRESS IT1 ! EV5TS >E TOO CONFUS+ & ! MEGAPHONE VOICEOV]S >E TOO L\D4 ,! REOCCURR+ MEMORY ( MANY ( !SE PEOPLE /&+ ) !IR BACKS TO ! POLICE TELL+ PEOPLE TO GO HOME HAUNTS US4 ,IT'S H>D NOT TO FEEL LIKE A BITT] BROK5 RECORD4 

,9 ! 5D1 A DISCONNECT$ 0MOVEM5T0 WAS BORN1 BUT IT IS SMALL]1 LESS PROLET>IAN1 & LIMIT$ TO !ATRICAL SLOGANS1 SPECIALIZ$ ROLES 7ACTIVI/1 ORGANIZ]1 POLITICIAN1 :ITE ALLY OR 0ACCOMPLICE071 & TRA9+S ?AT ULTIMATELY LEAD US BACK ! SAME T]RIBLE *ASM4 ,MANY PEOPLE REC$E BECAUSE ! DRAMA & ! FALSE S5SE ( COMMUNITY 9 ?IS SC5E >E NOT WOR? IT4 

,I AM (T5 TORTUR$ BY ! PA/4 ,I F9D IT H>D] & H>D] TO BELIEVE 9 :AT ,I REMEMB] 9 MY HE>T4 ,?OSE SLEEPLESS ,AUGU/ NI<TS1 ! OV]:ELM+ & 9EXPLICABLE MOM5TS1 ONLY RESIDE 9 A DEEP MEMORY ?AT IS DIFFICULT TO ACCESS4 ,/ILL1 IT WAITS TO REEM]GE4 ,:58 ,TOMORR[8 ,NEXT YE>8 ,DECADES FROM N[8 ,NEV] AGA98 ,:AT WAS ALL ?AT REALLY =8 

,9 LEFT POLITICAL CIRCLES1 IT IS CU/OM>Y TO CELEBRATE ! RECORD$ MILITANT ANCE/ORS1 TO LOOK BACK ON RADICAL MOVEM5TS & REBELLIONS1 TO NAME NAMES1 TO HI<LI<T ORGANIZATIONS1 TO TELL ! GREAT /ORY4 ,BUT !SE /ORIES >E ONLY TOLD BECAUSE !Y >E VISIBLE1 & USEFUL TO ?OSE :O TELL !M4 ,HI/ORY IS ! OV]P[]+ VOICEOV]1 ! SC5ES CUT OR EXAGG]AT$ TO S]VE POLITICAL PURPOSES4 ,EV]Y?+ ELSE BEL[ IS A MUMBL+ Y\ CAN B>ELY HE>4 

,/ILL--:AT ?OSE DAYS 9 ,F]GUSON DID TO EV]YONE :O LIV$ !M IS DEEP4 ,IT COMES UP 9 C\NTLESS WAYS ?AT WILL NEV] BE R$UC$ TO DOCUM5T>IES OR TWEETS4 ,ALL ! /ORIES FROM ! PEOPLE ,I'VE 5C\NT]$ 9 C\RT ROOMS1 AT P>TIES1 %[S1 PROTE/S1 OR R&OMLY ON ! /REET--PEOPLE :O HAVE UNREP5TANTLY CLAIM$ ?AT !Y OR !IR FRI5DS />T$ A FIRE1 ?AT !Y W]E ! FIR/ ONES TO BU/ ?R\< ! ,Q,T DOOR1 ?AT !Y LOOT$ ! ,FOOT ,LOCK] FIR/1 ?REW ! FIR/ /ONE1 OR JU/ ?AT !Y W]E !RE4 ,?IS SORT ( FOLKLORE IS MU* MORE P[]FUL ?AN ANY BOOK OR WRITT5 ACC\NT4 

,IT IS ONLY FITT+ ?AT ?IS HAS ALL BECOME A SORT ( FOLKLORE4 ,HI/ORY IS WRITT5 FROM ABOVE & F> AWAY1 SEEK+ TO SYN!SIZE A MOM5T 9TO SOME K9D ( GR& N>RATIVE4 ,FOLKLORE1 ?\< IT IS ALSO LIMIT$1 IS MU* MORE P]SONAL4 ,IT IS (T5 SPOK51 POETICALLY & BODILY--& ! PLACES WE USUALLY TELL \R /ORIES >E NOT 9 ! HALLS ( P[] OR 9 FRONT ( CAM]AS4 ,FOLKLORE RESI/S ! EF=TS ( SCRIBES :OSE JOB IS TO TRANSLATE \R /ORIES = ACADEMIC OR /ATE RESE>*4 ,! MEMORY ?AT IS BO? COLLECTIVE & 9DIVIDUAL IS P[]FUL1 BECAUSE IT EXI/S 9 ! DEP?S ( \R BODIES--NOT M]ELY AS WORDS1 BUT ALSO 9 \R TRAUMA1 \R P[]1 \R LAU<T]1 \R LOVE & RAGE4 

,9 TIMES :5 9DIVIDUAL ALI5ATION SEEMS TO BE EV] 9CREAS+1 :5 IT IS H>D TO CONNECT ) O!RS1 IT FEELS CRUCIAL TO F9D ?AT COLLECTIVE MEMORY1 TO RESI/ ! 9/ITUTIONS ?AT SEEK TO FRAME :AT WE EXP]I5C$ ACCORD+ TO !IR [N 9T]E/S4 ,9 TIMES ( REVOLT1 ! FOG ( MEMORY LIFTS1 GIV+ US A *ANCE TO REMEMB] \R BODIES & \R AG5CY1 \R ABILITY TO ACT1 TO BREAK ) ! ROLES WE HAVE BE5 GIV51 TO DO & BE ! ?+S WE >E TOLD WE NEV] C\LD4 

.<#a.> ,?IS P>T ( ,F]GUSON DOES NOT CON=M TO A GRID1 MAK+ IT DIFFICULT = POLICE TO PATROL & GIV+ DEMON/RATORS ! UPP] H&4 ,! /REETS >E G5]ALLY D>K & CONFUS+1 & ! RESID5TS ( SOME ( !M >E \TRI<T HO/ILE TO POLICE--P>TICUL>LY ,CANFIELD ,DRIVE1 ! /REET :]E ,MIKE ,BR[N WAS MURD]$4 ,:5 ! POLICE TE>-GASS$ DEMON/RATORS1 IT WAS POSSIBLE TO RETREAT TO ! NEI<BORHOOD4 ,SOME C\LD JU/ GO RI<T HOME BECAUSE !IR Y>DS W]E RI<T BEH9D ! /RIP ( /ORES4 

.<#b.> ,I'VE BE5 HAV+ AN 9T]NAL DEBATE AB\T !SE ,OA? ,KEEP] FOLKS S9CE ,I FIR/ SAW !M M+L+ 9 ! ,Q,T LOT 9 ,AUGU/4 ,IT'S CLE> ?AT !Y >E FUCK$ UP1 BUT !Y >5'T 5TIRELY ! ,NAZI-:ITE-SUPREMACI/ K9D ( FUCK$ AS MU* AS !Y >E ,U,S,A ,CON/ITUTIONALI/S4 ,!Y PREF] TO PROMOTE ! COMM&M5TS ( ! SLAVE-[N+ F\ND+ FA!RS ( ?IS C\NTRY4 ,MO/ NOTABLE IS ! ,OA? ,KEEP] L9E AB\T ! PROTECTION ( PRIVATE PROP]TY & ! 0RI<T TO PROTE/0 ?AT DOESN'T DE/ROY SAID PROP]TY4 ,?IS L9E HAS TRACTION AMONG MANY PEOPLE 9 ?IS C\NTRY4 ,I HAVE SE5 !SE MO/LY :ITE MILITIA FOLKS SP\T+ ?IS L9E 9 L>GELY BLACK CR[DS & IT HAS WORK$ QUITE WELL ON SOME FOLKS4 ,LAT] ! FOLL[+ YE>1 SOME ( ! MEMB]S CALL = A HUNDR$ BLACK M5 TO M>* >M$ ?R\< ,F]GUSON4 ,9 ! 5D1 ! ,OA? ,KEEP] LEAD]%IP PURG$ ?OSE :O CALL$ = IT4 ,!Y /ILL HAD ! M>*1 BUT IT WAS JU/ A C\PLE ( W+NUT & CONS]VATIVE BLACK MILITIAM5 /&+ 9 ! RA94 ,IT'S WOR? EXPLOR+ ! 9/ITUTION ( PRIVATE PROP]TY & H[ IT FUNCTIONS AS ! F\NDATION ( ! CLASS & RACE RELATIONS >\ND US4 ,IT IS CLE> 5\< :5 Y\ REALIZE ?AT ! 9/ITUTION ( PRIVATE PROP]TY WAS ONE ( ! COMPLEX ME*ANISMS ?AT MADE IT POSSIBLE = SLAV]Y TO BE SY/EMIZ$ & RATIONALIZ$4 ,! SLAVE [N]S :O WROTE ! ,CON/ITUTION SURELY HAD ?IS 9 M9D4 

7,S\RCE3 ,RETRIEV$ ON #b#b-#a#b-#e FROM HTTPS3_/_/CRIME?9C4COM_/#b#a#i_/#h_/#i_/LOOT+-BACK-AN-ACC\NT-(-!-F]GUSON-UPRIS+47 

,FROM 3 ,!,AN>*I/,LIBR>Y4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,JANU>Y #a#d1 #bbb 3 ,LOOT+ ,BACK -- ,ADD$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/