When Michael Brown was shot and killed in Ferguson, Missouri in August 2014, and protests and riots followed, I didn’t watch the news as much as I should have. I was disturbed but I didn’t understand all of what was happening, and I didn’t always know which reports to believe. This is why I like first-person accounts of events, and while I know that Ron Johnson’s account doesn’t tell the whole story, he was there for the duration. 13 Days In Ferguson is an important work.
The book walks readers through Johnson’s experience as a Missouri State Highway Patrol captain from his initial response to the protests and violent acts after Michael Brown’s death to his charge to lead the security effort in Ferguson to his vision for Ferguson in the future. Through it all, he is firmly a man in the middle.
I wanted to read this book because of Johnson’s perspective–as a black man and a law enforcement officer, he has a unique position in the conversation about race and policing. I felt he was honest in his recollection of the events and he didn’t paint one group in a more favorable light than the other. As a man caught in the middle of a national conversation, he is using that position to try to bridge the gap. I was inspired by his community policing efforts and the sincerity of his hopes.
I’m glad I added this to my racial justice reading list, and I would encourage you to add it to your list as well.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher. Review reflects my honest opinion.
I definitely need to add this to my reading list. Thanks for reviewing it.
I’ll bring you my copy!