Michael “Mike” Brown is a person whose name and story we are all likely familiar with. By story, I am referring to the events surrounding his death: how his body laid lifeless in the middle of the street, uncovered for hours, after he was gunned down at the hands of local police. His case continues a unique and important conversation about the ways in which many communities of color are over-policed and operate within the context of a militarized state, perpetually suspended in a “state of emergency.”

Historically, there has been a culture of distrust between communities of color, especially the poor, and the police forces that are assigned to serve in their communities. What members of the Ferguson community reveal to the rest of the country that there is a clear difference in the way their community is “policed” as opposed to other communities.

Moreover, the ways in which poor communities of color are policed creates a space in which police officers — operating on prejudices about the community and its residents — are justified in using aggressive force on young black males without the threat of penalty. Officers showed a lack of regard by leaving Michael Browns’ in the middle of busy street in broad daylight

However, where there is political oppression, there is also resistance. The unique feature about Ferguson is that the community has sustained its opposition in a country where the attention span of its people is second only to the 24-hour news cycle.

The community launched into marches and rallies where they employed widely public social media campaigns that provoked further conversations about the ways in which media representations of African Americans conspicuously recriminalize and perpetuate stereotypical images of blackness. Though their protest was met with tanks, tear gas and fear, the residents of Ferguson kept the Michael Brown’s death relevant in the media, and they are still protesting for justice today.

As a tribute to their courageous efforts and in honor of Michael Brown’s death, the Black Student Union and African and African American Studies department will host “Ferguson Across America.”

This event will be a town hall forum that will engage the Loyola community on the events of Ferguson and its impacts on conversations of race relations, police brutality, militarization of the police, and modern activism. This forum will take place on Nov. 18th at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Charles Room located in the Danna Center.

In addition to this event, the Black Student Union, Brothers for Progress and The Tulane Office of Multicultural Affairs will host “The Power Complex: Who’s Protecting Us?” This will be an interactive discussion featuring  George Capowich, professor of sociology, who will explore the factors that contribute to corruption within law enforcement. The event is scheduled for Nov. 11th at 7 p.m.

Be a part of these conversations.