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Tavis Smiley on Ferguson Grand Jury Decision: ‘Black Life Matters’ (Guest Blog)

The PBS late night host pens Wrap op-ed on decision not to indict Michael Brown’s shooter, Officer Darren Wilson

Tavis Smiley Guest Writer
Michael Brown

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He didn’t deserve to die.

I have heard that phrase uttered countless times since the tragic shooting death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, on a hot summer day this past August.

Now a federal grand jury has said there will be no indictment of Officer Darren Wilson.  Apparently, neither the grand jury nor the Justice Department felt that probable cause existed to bring charges against Officer Wilson for acting with malice in killing an unarmed Michael Brown.

Also read: Media in Line of Fire as Ferguson Protest Violence Escalates

And so, the chant will likely grow even louder over the next 48 hours and in the uneasy days to come.

He didn’t deserve to die.

I agree.

So, why is he dead?  And does anyone “deserve” to die?

Also read: Gunshots, Looting, Burning Police Car: Ferguson Protests Turn Violent (Live Video)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once noted that, “Death comes to every individual. There is an amazing democracy about death.  It is not aristocracy for some of the people, but a democracy for all of the people. Kings die and beggars die; rich men die and poor men die; old people die and young people die; death comes to the innocent and it comes to the guilty. Death is the irreducible common denominator of all men.”

Also read: Ferguson Shooting Case: TV News Pounces on Grand Jury Decision Not to Indict Darren Wilson for Michael Brown Shooting (Updated)

King makes a powerful point.  Sadly, young people do indeed die.  But King wasn’t talking about the shooting deaths of unarmed black youth shot point-blank by officers of the law who are sworn to serve and protect them.

So, why is an 18-year-old Michael Brown dead now?  Did he deserve to die, as some have essentially suggested, for his callous treatment of a convenience store owner and his alleged disrespect of a law enforcement officer?

Also read: Ferguson Storm Brewing? When Media Began Twisting Death into Political Points

I don’t believe that anyone deserves to die — for anything, quite frankly.

You may feel differently. We’ll just agree to disagree on that matter.

But what I hope we can agree on is that death cannot be the only thing that democratizes us as human beings and fellow citizens.

Also read: CNN Obtains Video of Ferguson Witnesses Describing Michael Brown Shooting

In other words, if Michael Brown deserved to die, did he also deserve access to high quality public school instruction?  Did he deserve an affordable college education?  Did he deserve a living wage job and not a lifetime of minimum wage employment? Did he deserve first-rate healthcare?  Did he deserve to live in a community unpolluted by toxic waste?  Did he deserve to live in a city where community based policing is embraced, where the cops who work the beat by day actually live in the neighborhood by night?  What else did he deserve as a citizen living in the world’s greatest democracy?

Also read: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Jesse Williams Joins Latest Round of Ferguson Protests

The fact that Officer Wilson won’t be indicted for killing Michael Brown doesn’t mean that a crime against humanity wasn’t committed that day. When a jury finds a defendant “not guilty” it doesn’t necessarily mean that the defendant is “innocent.” Something went terribly wrong that day, even though it couldn’t be proven in a court of law.

There is no question about who killed Michael Brown. The question we now have to wrestle with is what killed Michael Brown in Ferguson?

And 23-year-old Sean Bell in Queens. And 19-year-old Renisha McBride in Detroit.  And 17 year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida. And 12-year-old Tamir E. Rice in Cleveland.

Also read: Hillary Clinton Breaks Silence on Ferguson, Says America Is 'Better Than That'

I believe these young Americans have something to say to us in their death.

Their deaths say to us that we must stop contesting their dignity and humanity by always assuming and assigning guilt first.

Their deaths say to us that we cannot be afraid of our own children. God help us when the adults are afraid of the children.

Also read: Michael Brown Shooting Witness: 'I Knew This Was Not Right' (Video)

Their deaths say to us that poverty is threatening our democracy.  Too many of our precious black youth are forced to surrender their life’s chances before they ever know their life’s choices.

Their deaths say to us that unless we want to see more cities aflame in the coming weeks, months and years; our demagoguery, our irresponsibility and our indifference must stop now.

Right now.

Ferguson Fallout: The Scene Following Decision Not to Indict Officer Darren Wilson (Photos)

  • Police officers march by a burning police car during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Looters run out of a business during rioting on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri since August 9. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Looters run out of a business during rioting on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has declined to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager, that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri since August 9. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: A protestor is surrounded by tear gas during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • Firefighters try to extinguish a burning restaurant set on fire after protestors rioted following the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson has been struggling to return to normal after Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. His death has sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson. A grand jury today declined to indict officer Wilson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Protestors kneel with their hands up in front of police vehicles during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 25: A row of cars burn at a used car lot during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson has been struggling to return to normal after Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. His death has sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson. A grand jury today declined to indict officer Wilson. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch Getty Images
  • Demonstrators listen to a car radio as a grand jury's decision is delivered in front of the Ferguson police department on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Police confront protestors after rioting broke out following the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson has been struggling to return to normal after Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. His death has sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson. A grand jury today declined to indict officer Wilson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: St. Louis County police officers in riot gear stand guard in front of the Ferguson police department after a grand jury's decision was delivered on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • A suspected looter is aprehended outside a Dollar Store when protestors rioted following the grand jury announcement in the Michael Brown case on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Ferguson has been struggling to return to normal after Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. His death has sparked months of sometimes violent protests in Ferguson. A grand jury today declined to indict officer Wilson. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 24: Protestors run away after police deployed tear gas during a demonstration on November 24, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • CNN Reporter Sara Sidner was hit in the head with a rock while covering the Ferguson unrest on Nov. 24, 2014. CNN
  • NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Protesters march through the streets of New York after learning at police officer Darren Wilson, of the Ferguson, MO police department, who fatally shot teenager Michael Brown on August 9, would not be indicted by a grand jury on November 24, 2014 in New York City. The killing of Michael Brown inspired mass protests in the St. Louis suburb for over a month and has reignited conversations throughout the nation about race and police force. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 24: Protesters march through the streets of New York after learning at police officer Darren Wilson, of the Ferguson, MO police department, who fatally shot teenager Michael Brown on August 9, would not be indicted by a grand jury on November 24, 2014 in New York City. The killing of Michael Brown inspired mass protests in the St. Louis suburb for over a month and has reignited conversations throughout the nation about race and police force. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 25: A woman faces police officers advancing to arrest anyone who fails to disperse as demonstrators react to the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, in the early morning hours of November 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • Protesters rally outside a mall in the Crenshaw district of L.A. on Nov. 24 (Twitter) Twitter
  • NOVEMBER 24: Protesters block traffic by lying down in the intersection of Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills after marching from Leimert Park in reaction to the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri on November 24, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 24: Hundreds of demonstrators, many of them Howard University students, lay on the ground in protest outside the White House after the Ferguson grand jury decision in Missouri November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. A St. Louis County grand jury has decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown that sparked riots in Ferguson, Missouri in August. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 24: U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement following the announcement of the grand jury's decision in the shooting death of unnamed black teenager Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, at the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House November 24, 2014 in Washington, DC. The grand jury has decided that officer Darren Wilson will not be charged in the fatal shooting. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • DELLWOOD, MO - NOVEMBER 25: Brown family attorney Benjamin Crump speaks during a press conference at Greater St. Marks Church November 25, 2014 in Dellwood, Missouri. Sharpton addressed the lack of an indictment from a grand jury considering charges against Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in teh shooting death of Michael Brown . (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • FERGUSON, MO - NOVEMBER 25: A worker cleans up glass at a business that was damaged during a demonstration on November 25, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Demonstrators caused extensive damage in Ferguson and surrounding areas after a St. Louis County grand jury decided to not indict Ferguson police Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown. Getty Images
  • Ferguson Mayor James W. Knowles III speaks at a press conference at the Ferguson Community Center in Ferguson, Missouri. Knowles addressed the delayed deployment of the National Guard to the riot battered town. Getty Images
  • Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon speaks during a news conference at the University of Missouri - St. Louis on November 25, 2014 in St. Louis, Missouri. Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon discussed the law enforcement and national guard response to widespread rioting following the decision by a St. Louis County grand jury to not indict Officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown in August. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • Police officers secure Los Angeles Police Department Headquarters after protestors pushed over barricades during demonstrations November 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, one day after a grand jury decision not to prosecute a white police officer for the killing of an unarmed black teen in Ferguson, Missouri. (Photo Credit: Getty Images) Getty Images
  • A protester sits in theback of a Los Angles Police Departmet (LAPD) transport bus after arrested at one intersection during a demonstration following the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri in the early morning hours of November 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • Police make an arrest as protests engulf Ferguson on November 26, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Over 2,000 Missouri national guardsmen are being deployed a day after demonstrators caused extensive damage in Ferguson and surrounding areas following a St. Louis County grand jury decision to not indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting of Michael Brown. (Photo by Aaron P. Bernstein/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • A police squad car is turned over by demonstrators during a protest on November 25, 2014 in Ferguson, Missouri. Yesterday protesting turned into rioting following the grand jury announcement to not indict officer Darren Wilson in the Michael Brown case. Brown, an 18-year-old black man, was killed by Darren Wilson, a white Ferguson police officer, on August 9. At least 12 buildings were torched and more than 50 people were arrested during the night-long rioting. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • Lesley McSpadden (C), mother of Michael Brown Jr, attends a press conference on the eve of Thanksgiving to pray and address the events of the last few days regarding the grand jury verdict of police officer Darren Wilson on November 26, 2014 in New York City. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO, on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images) Getty Images
  • LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 25: Protesters set up barricades and shut down the 101 freeway following the grand jury decision not to indict a white police officer who had shot dead an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri on the night of November 25, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. Police officer Darren Wilson shot 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, sparking large ongoing protests. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) Getty Images
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Violence erupts in Ferguson, and protests are held across the country after a grand jury decided Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson would not face criminal charges in the shooting death of Michael Brown

Police officers march by a burning squad car during a demonstration in Ferguson, Missouri on Nov. 24, 2014.

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BIO Tavis Smiley
From his celebrated conversations with world figures to his work to inspire the next generation of leaders, Tavis Smiley — broadcaster, author, publisher, advocate, and philanthropist — has emerged as an outstanding voice for change. Smiley is currently the host of the late-night television talk show "Tavis Smiley" on PBS, as well as "The Tavis Smiley Show" from Public Radio International (PRI). He is the author of the book "Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year."