ROGERIAN LETTER

Dear Bill O’Reilly,

There has been a lot of talk and discussion over the situation in Ferguson. You can’t help but hear about the story on every news station on television. Some, like you said already, are convicting Mr. Wilson of committing the crime. I, too, am disturbed by the media coverage on the story.

In your show the O’Reilly Factor on Fox News you discussed the situation in Ferguson. You talked about the incident with Michael Brown the police officer and about the aftermath of the incident and the media coverage of the case. You are correct about so many things. All the facts do need to be considered in a situation like this. Also, the final decision must be made in the court of law. Mr. Wilson is innocent until proven guilty of murder.

Mr. O’Reilly you make the argument that the media like NBC News doesn’t allow the case to be determined in a court of law like the constitution states. However, did you stop to think that your presentation of "facts" also sways the decision-making of the case in a court of law?

I do agree, there is a bigger issue amongst black male crimes that resonate between black males themselves, in what many call black-on-black crime. However, the circumstances of the city or area should be looked at when talking about these crimes. Although I know and understand that a person’s situation does not justify their actions it also must be included. Being successful in this country, let alone the world, stems from opportunity and options. Many in these cases don’t have the same options as those in better areas or circumstances.

I also agree that Al Sharpton does take advantage of the situation at hand. Sharpton ignores Dr. King’s first step in his non-violence campaign, which is to collect the facts before direct action. However, calling him a "racial agitator" is unnecessary. There are problems that pertain to race in this country that cannot be ignored. Although we have come a long way from the civil rights era in the 50s and 60s, there is still much work to be done. Referring to those who are making a point to advocate for these issues as "racial agitators" or "those people" creates even more problems and also reflects even worse on your character and the party you represent (the Republicans). Like you mentioned, many African Americans already have a negative perception of the Republican Party.

There’s truly a need for Justice. Justice, though, does not satisfy all and it reflects the truth whatever the truth may be. Like you said, there are flaws in our justice system, however. The justice system is drawn off of a person’s moral or personal beliefs. Your show and the other shows do not help the case with your bias perceptions of what the "truth" is. Your points are more valid than other; nevertheless, you are impacting other people’s minds like NBC is.

Thank you for your time.

Erin Gary