<\/a>Kendria Haley
\n<\/strong>MC301 Contributor\/Staff<\/em><\/p>\n

According to a Washington Post database, as of Oct. 5, 730 people have been shot and killed by police in 2016. At least 194 of these people were black. This database is based on news reports, public records, social media and other sources.<\/p>\n

This database also reports that in 2015, police in the U.S killed 991 people.<\/p>\n

These deaths are sparking protests all over the country. Protests for the deaths Eric Garner, Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and most recently Terence Crutcher are just a few of the demonstrations that sparked the #blacklivesmatter movement.<\/p>\n

Rallies, marches, sit-ins, boycotts, riots, petitions and other acts of civil disobedience have been used in the past and have reemerged in the present state of racial unrest in America; but are these protests effectively bringing about a change?<\/p>\n

Byron Orey, a professor of political science at Jackson State University, stated that the object of protesting is to attract others to choose a side in conflict. He also explained that there are always two sides to every conflict. The opposing side attempts to keep the conflict contained, while the other side attempts to expose the conflict or make it visible.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe more visible the conflict, the more people understand it. In the case of police brutality, as more and more Americans observe these injustices, more and more people side with the protesters,\u201d said Orey.<\/p>\n

Many feel that violent protests are not the answer and efforts to bring about change peacefully should be the ultimate goal.<\/p>\n

LeKeyla Norris, a graduate student majoring in reading education from Chicago, Ill., stated that protests should promote togetherness and not division.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have to unite as people, working together for the same cause and let everyone know we are not going to stand for the injustice any longer,\u201d said Norris. \u201cThese protest are not just about voicing our concerns, they are about voicing our fears, our outrage, our dissatisfaction on the current state of our country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some JSU students are concerned that if police officers that shoot and kill unarmed African-American men are not brought to justice, peaceful protests will turn violent.<\/p>\n

Danielle Hunt, a senior biology major, from Jackson, Miss., is one of those students.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt makes me angry that the very people who are sworn by oath to serve and protect are the very people that we are afraid of,\u201d said Hunt.<\/p>\n

Edwin Cheshire, media law instructor in the JSU School of Journalism and Media Studies stated that a successful protest gathers support around correcting the perceived wrong and advances the conversation in a positive direction toward solutions to the issue being protested. He gives these words of advice for protestors.<\/p>\n

\u201cBe respectful, hate speech is constitutionally protected but fighting words and\/ or vandalism are not; know the line,\u201d Cheshire said.<\/p>\n

Hunt also believes that protestors must remain nonviolent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that we need to try peaceful protesting. I say that because combating violence with violence only promotes more violence,\u201d said Hunt.<\/p>\n

According to the aclu.org, the right to join with fellow citizens in protest or peaceful assembly is critical to a functioning democracy and at the core of the First Amendment. The organization protects citizens who feel that their rights have been violated.<\/p>\n

Visit www.aclu.org\/know-your-rights for more information on the right to protest.<\/p>\n

Some JSU students feel that community involvement, town hall meetings, and voting are all ways citizens can ensure that they have representation in the judicial process.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not elect my official into office to just be the face of national fried chicken day, I need them to understand the importance of their position; they (elected officials) are our voice,\u201d said Norris.<\/p>\n

Hunt also feels that voting is the way to promote change and that a community that is more about action, will generate the changes desired.<\/p>\n

\u201cVoting allows your voice to be heard. We need to get out and vote,\u201d said Hunt.<\/p>\n

Students who have not already registered to vote have until Oct. 8 to do so and become eligible to cast a vote for their candidate of choice in the upcoming election.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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