Ferguson, Missouri gained national attention in 2014 following the fatal shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed Black teenager, by a white police officer named Darren Wilson. Brown's death sparked widespread protests and ignited a national conversation about police brutality, racial profiling, and systemic racism in the United States.

The shooting also shed light on the deep racial divisions and disparities that existed in Ferguson at the time. The U.S. Department of Justice subsequently conducted an investigation into the Ferguson Police Department, uncovering systemic racism and a pattern of discriminatory practices against African Americans.

The events in Ferguson served as a catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement, which seeks to address issues of racial injustice and inequality in America. The city of Ferguson has since taken steps to reform its police department and improve relations with the Black community, although challenges still remain.

Overall, the events in Ferguson highlighted the continued struggles faced by African Americans in the United States and the need for greater accountability, transparency, and reform within law enforcement and other institutions.