Once again, #Ferguson defies easy analysis and understanding but demands solid journalism and context
"Unrest, again": Images of #Ferguson are on front pages around the U.S. today http://t.co/SjQATNVyvr pic.twitter.com/3iJCPgCdgI
— Poynter (@Poynter) November 25, 2014
This was the question three months ago:
Amen to this question: 'What the hell is happening in #Ferguson?': http://t.co/v1ISW3xY8O #journalism http://t.co/VCkvxBBD78
— GetReligion (@GetReligion) August 14, 2014
Here we go again.
I'm supposed to write a post this morning critiquing media coverage. But honestly, the situation at this point defies easy analysis and understanding:
Violence erupted in #Ferguson, leaving parts of the city on fire and stores looted: http://t.co/CeRqQ2iOFI pic.twitter.com/j5XYC3cpW6
— CNN (@CNN) November 25, 2014
Lesley McSpadden, #MichaelBrown's mom, screams over #FergusonDecision: http://t.co/e5VOYiDxpZ (Charles Riedel, AP) pic.twitter.com/r44LVj9AsS
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) November 25, 2014
#Ferguson hit by looting and arson after the grand jury decision http://t.co/sBNRjlUqfP pic.twitter.com/jb8TUFJLhT
— Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) November 25, 2014
#Ferguson burns. pic.twitter.com/KvnRtJA94R
— Robert Cohen (@kodacohen) November 25, 2014
Just watched about 20 people break into a wireless store on w. Florissant. 1 man threatened me 4 recording #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/2vVt095WBO
— Stephanie Elam (@StephanieElam) November 25, 2014
Daniel Burke, editor of CNN's "Belief Blog," made an excellent point on Twitter:
Much love to my friends in #ferguson, but it's hard to see the scene via tweets, posts and photos. journalism, and context, are so crucial.
— Daniel Burke (@BurkeCNN) November 25, 2014
"Journalism, and context, are so crucial." Can our Godbeat friend get an "Amen!?"
Speaking of context, this is another relevant tweet I saw (via a retweet by the excellent @tweetmattingly):
Hey CNN & FOX..my guess is there are many churches full of people praying...why not show them instead of another burning trash can #Ferguson
— Todd Wagner (@wordsfromwags) November 25, 2014
Full disclosure: I watched the prosecutor speak, and I watched the president speak, but I couldn't take the 24-hour news talking heads, so I flipped the switch and don't know if CNN and Fox showed churches full of people praying or not.
But I do know that some excellent religion writers are on the scene, including Lilly A. Fowler of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, who has been tracking the faith angle in Ferguson for months and — after a late night — was back bright and early this morning:
Reporting from Shaw Park in Clayton where clergy are getting ready to march #mikebrown #ferguson pic.twitter.com/C4XLFiYd5Y
— Lilly A. Fowler (@LillyAFowler) November 25, 2014
About 100 clergy marching & singing in Clayton right now #ferguson #mikebrown pic.twitter.com/JsDiPCsYF0
— Lilly A. Fowler (@LillyAFowler) November 25, 2014
Clergy blocking traffic. Still singing but police have moved in #mikebrown #ferguson pic.twitter.com/LJ7B8uZ3Tm
— Lilly A. Fowler (@LillyAFowler) November 25, 2014
4.5 minutes of silence for #mikebrown in Clayton, as long his body was on street. #ferguson pic.twitter.com/Rs8oZShzDd
— Lilly A. Fowler (@LillyAFowler) November 25, 2014
CNN's Eric Marrapodi is in Ferguson, too.
While his duties extend beyond religion, he's certainly attuned to that crucial angle:
Clergy protecting a store after windows were smashed. "Don't do this, we've come too far!" #FergusonDecision pic.twitter.com/Sh19mDEwXE
— Eric Marrapodi (@EricCNNBelief) November 25, 2014
If you see solid religion reporting in Ferguson or come across any holy ghosts, please don't hesitate to let us know — either in the comments section or via @getreligion.
Stay tuned.
