My Thoughts About Ferguson

Hello Elegant Readers,

PEACE FOR FERGUSON!

The death of a young man. The protests and the riots!
The fire, the tear gas, the theft, the looting!

Stop! Stop! Stop!

The world is watching St. Louis, Missouri. Bubbling with Elegance and Grace is saddened even more by these events because they are happening in my hometown.

Yes, I am a Missourian and the world has all of its eyes on my state, specifically the small community of Ferguson, a suburban municipality in north St. Louis County.

My prayers go out to the family of Michael Brown. I intercede for peace and comfort flowing to them, In Jesus Name.

Should prayers go out to the Police Officer and his family? Some would say no; but he has a family and prayer goes out to the Ferguson police officers and all who are involved in the investigation.

All Police Officers are not bad cops and they need prayer.

I am saddened by the looting, the violence and the rioting. This is no way to honor Michael Brown and his family.

QuikTrip in Ferguson

Peace! Father God, I speak peace over Ferguson and St. Louis, Right Now! In the Name of Jesus.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has declared a state of emergency for the second night in Ferguson. The looting and rioting had not stopped. When the name of the police officer was named and the video of the convenience store was released on Friday, the looting flared up again.

Ferguson is a family-oriented and friendly community. I have friends who live in Ferguson. I shop in Ferguson. My husband and I shop often at the Sam’s, the Ross’ and the Walmart that had been looted. We would buy gas at the QuikTrip that was destroyed.

The shooting of Michael Brown that occurred last Sunday is on the eastern edge of Ferguson. With a population of 21,000 people, Ferguson is quite large and spread out. The community is known for its railroad history and its large Victorian style homes and tree-lined streets.

I have heard comments like, I didn’t know Ferguson was so black. Answer: Ferguson is 33 percent white, so Ferguson is not all black.

Who cares? Everyone does.

Listen! a mother and father have lost their son.

People who are not even a part of the Ferguson community our destroying businesses in the community. Destroying a property will not bring Michael Brown back.

What now?

Christian rapper, Lacrae made a statement on his Facebook page and I totally agree.

Lacrae’s Facebook page

We have to be mentors for our youth. Yes, looting and theft is bad, but now what?

St. Louis, Missouri has great organizations that mentor youth to want to do more and be more.

Such as:

Herbert Hoover Boys’ and Girls’ Club

“The mission of the Boys of Greater St. Louis (BGCSTL) is to inspire and enable youth ages 6 to 18 to realize their full potential as productive , responsible and caring citizens.”

Mathew Dickey Boys’ and Girls’ Club

“Today, the Club serves more than 40,000 young men and women, ages 5-18, throughout the St. Louis-metropolitan area. The Club also serves as a meeting center for various community, social and business organizations and as an outreach resource center for troubled youth.”

Big Brothers and Big Sisters

“…But, there are also an estimated 100,000 children in Eastern Missouri who are in serious need of a Big Brother or Big Sister. Who are these children? They are children who face multiple challenges. Many live in poverty, come from single parent households, have a parent behind bars and struggle with their academic performance. These children need extra support and encouragement. They need you, me… us!”

If you are not able to volunteer for any of these organizations, being a mentor can start with your family, your nieces and nephews, Godchildren, at your church, your children’s school, your neighborhood, there are endless ways to make a lasting positive impact on a child.

PEACE