walter rice vibe photo series on the people of ferguson, missouri

People Of Ferguson: A Photo Series (Pt .1)

August 19, 2014 - 4:03 pm by Aliya S. King

On August 15, 2014, photojournalist Antonio Thompson explored the streets of Ferguson to get a sense of the people and their mission. Their stories are both common and unique—inspiring and hopeful. These are the people of Ferguson—in their own words.

See: People Of Ferguson: A Photo Series (Pt .2)
See: People Of Ferguson: A Photo Series (Pt. 3)

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Walter Rice

“I’ve been in Ferguson pretty much my entire life—since 1948. Got my high school diploma from Ferguson High School in 1958, as one of only a handful of Black people. I was here when segregation was a real thing. So I carry my diploma with me to show people that this is where I’m from, and this is where I have lived, and this is where I’ve achieved through times that were worst than this! I’m a veteran and have gone overseas to fight for my country. And in fighting, I’ve seen the worst things you can imagine as a human being. And what do I see today? More war. Except, it’s in my own community. And what makes me angry? That I’m a retired veteran and I’m still fighting.”

tyrone mitchell vibe photo series on the people of ferguson, missouri

Tyrone Mitchell“This CD is of a song that my son recorded called “Stop the Violence.” He recorded it two years ago because he was unhappy about the things he saw happening to his friends here in the area. And then, he died on December 14th, 2012. So I feel compelled to be out here, giving this CD to everyone I see— that’s what I feel I can do to make a difference here. Pass a message of 'stop the violence,' so that what happened to my son and what happened to Michael Brown won’t happen to another young Black man in my community. And I’m honoring my son’s legacy, too.”

emanshwa prince vibe photo series on the people of ferguson, missouri

Emanshwa Prince"I lived here about nine years ago. If it was my nephew or my son or anyone I know that got executed like that, I wouldn’t know what to do, so I would hope that people from the community and people who have a connection to the community would come out and show support. So I’m out here protesting, because that’s what this community needs, so that’s what we’re seeing now. And you never know who it’s going to be tomorrow, so it’s important that we come out today.”

sister grace vibe photo series on the people of ferguson, missouri

Sister Grace“This is all about Jesus bringing us together. When [Michael Brown’s] mother birthed him 18 years ago, I know she did not imagine that he would incite a movement as powerful as this. I believe the Lord made this awful tragedy happen. This is all about the Lord using the holy city – it is SAINT Louis, after all – to bring us all together. We have to understand that this battle is not ours. This battle is for Him. And if we come together, we can make a difference. But we have to know that change is from within, and it starts with Him.” See: People Of Ferguson: A Photo Series (Pt .2)

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