Ferguson, Missouri, gained national attention in 2014 following the shooting of Michael Brown, an unarmed African American teenager, by a white police officer. Brown's death sparked widespread protests and renewed discussions about police brutality, racial profiling, and systemic racism in the United States.

The unrest in Ferguson highlighted longstanding racial tensions in the region and drew attention to the disproportionate impact of law enforcement policies on Black communities. The Black Lives Matter movement also gained momentum in the wake of Brown's death, as activists and protesters called for accountability and justice for victims of police violence.

Furthermore, the Department of Justice conducted an investigation into the Ferguson Police Department and found evidence of racial bias in policing practices, including discriminatory traffic stops and the disproportionate use of force against African Americans.

The events in Ferguson served as a catalyst for broader conversations about race and social justice in America and inspired a renewed commitment to addressing systemic inequalities in law enforcement and beyond.