Michael Brown's Death and Police Reform in America

SOURCE www.npr.org
The death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., led to nationwide protests, sparked the Black Lives Matter movement, and prompted a White House report on American policing. Despite some reforms, data shows police killings have increased and racial disparities persist in police interactions.

Key Points

  • Michael Brown's death sparked Black Lives Matter movement
  • Reforms post-Ferguson have shown mixed results
  • Calls for police defunding and abolition gaining traction
  • Reform efforts have not significantly reduced police killings

Pros

  • Promoted national conversation about police brutality
  • Led to reforms such as body-worn cameras and implicit bias training

Cons

  • High-profile police killings have continued to rise
  • Racial disparities in police interactions persist