When Michael Brown was killed by a police officer on Aug. 9, 2014, I was wrapping up my summer working in a microbiology research lab at home and excitedly waiting for the new school year to start. My co-workers were worried about me returning to what seemed like a troubled area at the time, when the protests first erupted, but I wasn’t worried at all because my life revolved around SLU, where I have always felt safe. We thought then that this was simply a group of people upset over a tragic death. I did not realize until October that this was truly part of a much bigger movement, a movement I honestly cannot say I fully understand to this day.

Fast forward to Oct. 12, 2014. I was sitting quietly in my apartment, working on homework, when I heard some noise outside my window. Thousands of protesters were walking up Grand Boulevard, peacefully protesting. Uninformed as to why they were protesting, I went to find out. All I could deduce at that time was that the protests were about the death of black men at the hands of police officers.

From my point of view, a college student from a well-educated family, I could not understand the purpose of this protest. I assumed that they were simply protesting because they disagreed with the police. It was not until a week later when midterms were over and the dust had settled from “Occupy SLU,” that I finally began to grasp what this was all about. It is not about violence between blacks and police officers; it is about the reality of what life is like in a black community, compared to lives of others, like mine.

Despite welfare, Section 8 housing and food assistance programs, because of this movement, I am now aware that there are communities that are still in great need.

That being said, I believe we should not be turning Michael Brown’s death and the subsequent grand jury ruling into a reason for violence. I understand people want their voices to be heard, but burning down businesses, looting and more shootings will not solve anything.

Here is what I believe needs to happen. First, racial tensions need to be eased, especially after such a heated period of time. This will allow relationships to build between black and other communities, creating open dialogue between groups. Subsequently this will also bring communities together and dispel the fear of violence in black communities that people like me feel. Programs such as AmeriCorps send people into needy areas, but one person opening up to these communities is not going to make much of a difference. An entire integration of cities is necessary in order to break down barriers.

Second, the United States needs to drastically improve access to good education. It is upsetting that a country as developed as the United States has schools that are failing due to lack of funding and teacher unions with uncontrollable power. I suggest to the leaders of local, state and national government to pursue significant education reform.

Job training programs especially for these communities where unemployment is the highest also need to take place. Many people want a job, but many will not be given one because of their background. Intervention in this aspect is certainly necessary in a similar vein as what was carried out by Father Gregory Boyle when he established Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles.

Thirdly, if those participating in the movement disagree with the grand jury ruling, which in my opinion was based upon significant evidence and was consistent with the law, then more action needs to be taken. In the United States, we have the right to protest, but we also have the right to petition to change laws. That is how freedom works here. People need to start a petition to change the law; if they receive enough signatures, the state and national legislature will consider it.

From my perspective, this is what I think needs to be done. If you take it with a grain of salt, it will not bother me.