African-Americans

African-Americans are those who experience and live through these cases that are being discussed, involving police brutality and racial profiling. They are all, for the most part, affected by the tragedies that occur, like the Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown cases, that involve racial inequality and injustice. This is mainly because it could easily happen to any one of them at any given moment, which is why many adopt the phrase, "We are Mike Brown." Many feel as though the media ultimately affects the way they are seen by the public and criminalizes them. Edward Rhymes, a MintPress columnist, argues that the oppressor is made out to be a hero while the oppressed or the victim is seen or made to be a criminal in "‘Justifiable’ White Violence And The History Of The Criminalization Of Blackness." Many argue that Al Sharpton has been effective in providing help or support for the issues of African-Americans against racial inequality and injustice. This is seen through his representation of both Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown. He served as a voice not only for the families but also for the two victims, who no longer had a voice. Others believe, however, that there needs to be new representation; a representation that effectively represents the black community and is familiar with the issues of this day and time. Brittney Cooper, a writer for the Salon, argues that Al Sharpton "does not have the ear of this generation" ("Al Sharpton does not have my ear: Why we need new black leadership now" para. 5). She also makes the argument that Al Sharpton’s leadership is not something "that any of us who will live on the planet for the next half-century or so really needs" ("Al Sharpton does not have my ear: Why we need new black leadership now" para. 5).