[]Michael Brown's death sparks #IfTheyGunnedMeDown movement After unarmed teenager Michael Brown was fatally shot by police in Ferguson, Mo., several media outlets began using a photo of him holding up what some believed to be a gang sign. The photo immediately sparked outrage on social media. Storified by · Thu, Aug 14 2014 13:18:28
Apparently, this is a gang sign. The media trying to make people believe Michael Brown was a bad kid. Sad. #America http://t.co/wywNC6DsLbSkip Bayless
Many people questioned why other photos of Brown, showing him at his high school graduation or with family members, were replaced with the image above. That's how #IfTheyGunnedMeDown took off on Twitter and Instagram.
#iftheygunnedmedown which picture would they use? http://t.co/YgSAUC1R8uName Ring BELLS
Hundreds of African-Americans posted side-by-side images of themselves, juxtaposing graduation, military or family photos with those that reinforced stereotypes assigned to black youth. Then they asked: "If police shot me down, which picture would the media use?"
#ifiwasgunneddown I wonder which picture would they use #ripmikebrown #justiceformikebrown http://t.co/K0pbBYk7Khjohnny Dash
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown which picture would the media use ? #RIPMikeBrown god got you now ✊❤️🙏 http://t.co/UsGdLkz8fepiglet
Which picture would you use #IfTheyGunnedMeDown ? 😤🎓 #Justice http://t.co/CjMVXOy3nQLance Tejada II
CJ Lawrence, a lawyer, posted a photo snapped during his graduation speech, with former U.S. President Bill Clinton sitting behind him and laughing. Below that image is a photo of him dressed like a rapper for Halloween, Lawrence told the BBC.
Yes let's do that: Which photo does the media use if the police shot me down? #IfTheyGunnedMeDown http://t.co/Ng0pUlxWhrYoungGifted&Black✊
The hashtag is quickly spreading across the United States as protests in Ferguson continue.
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown today what picture would you use America? Where is the justice. http://t.co/birjvOrjzNQuinton Jones
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown Which pic would they use http://t.co/a4behx0e1GRun Tre
#IfTheyGunnedMeDown which picture would they use? http://t.co/z1ZapKDqwxDez
So-called "hashtag activism" has often been criticized for not producing real results, but in this case, there is praise from all sides.
This #IfTheyGunnedMeDown hashtag is actually pretty valid not to mention thought provoking. You don't see that very often on twitter.AT EAZE
Every American should take a moment to look at #IfTheyGunnedMeDownAlexis Ohanian