Fifty-one years ago, Martin Luther King Junior had a dream. He had a dream that one day we would all stand hand in hand, no matter the color of our skin. He had a dream that equality would be for all. And 151 years before MLK, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in hopes of eliminating slavery which would in turn lead to the end of racism. But living in the land of the free home of the brave has not shown to hold true of the wishes of our past historical figures.

Instead we are living in a modern day, racist world. No, there are no lynchings taking place. And “A Birth of a Nation” is not being shown in the White House. But today racial violence is not being as openly displayed. Or so we thought.

The shooting of Michael Brown came as a shock to the nation. As Americans, we choose to believe these things don’t happen. Ignorance may be bliss, but what will the cost of bliss be. The loss of more innocent lives?

MLK once said, “The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” Until that day arrives, more issues will arise. The government of not just Ferguson have to listen to the needs of their community.

English teacher Michele Lewis feels that “a lot more tension existed before the shooting of Brown.” Members of the Ferguson community have tried for several years to get the attention of their unjust government. And for several years they have not been heard. The imbalance of community and government led to a certain tension that was finally relieved when Brown was killed. This opened up an opportunity for the people Ferguson to finally be heard.

West student Marian Ismayl, believes that “it was a terrible incident that could have been prevented.” Maybe if the citizens of Ferguson were heard, and the government listened to what they had to say, a stronger more trustful relationship could have been built. A shooting would have not needed to occur. Citizens would not have to turn to violence to show how they feel. It is time for our country to stop worrying about what is happening overseas, and focus on what is happening in our own nation. This is not a phase that will just disappear with time.

Martin Luther King Junior specifically warned the citizens of America. “And those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual,” King said.

It is a phase that started with the birth of our nation. And it should not end with the death of it.