2014-2015 Feature Stories:
Through the Lens of Ferguson
by THS News Media Reporter Jazzmin Matchette
Former Truman High School graduate Whitney Curtis, class of ‘96, has spent the last several months covering the events in Ferguson, Mo. since the death of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. The events that unfolded on Aug. 9. initiated several protests all across the nation, originating in the St. Louis area.
Curtis attended a Liberal Arts College as well as the University of Missouri to obtain an undergraduate degree in photojournalism.
“While attending college I realized that photography had become more than just a hobby,” Curtis said.
Since her start in photojournalism she has had the opportunity to photograph in major cities and areas such as, Kansas City, Chicago, Uganda, Haiti and now St. Louis.
Although Curtis has done spot news in the past she’s recently found herself doing corporate and non-profit work, including her recent work in St. Louis.
Curtis, whose photographs were featured in The New York Times, got the opportunity to cover the vigil where the family of Michael Brown was located. She said, it would be a good way to ensure she had pictures of the family as well as a sense of the story on the streets.
Curtis attended a Liberal Arts College as well as the University of Missouri to obtain an undergraduate degree in photojournalism.
“While attending college I realized that photography had become more than just a hobby,” Curtis said.
Since her start in photojournalism she has had the opportunity to photograph in major cities and areas such as, Kansas City, Chicago, Uganda, Haiti and now St. Louis.
Although Curtis has done spot news in the past she’s recently found herself doing corporate and non-profit work, including her recent work in St. Louis.
Curtis, whose photographs were featured in The New York Times, got the opportunity to cover the vigil where the family of Michael Brown was located. She said, it would be a good way to ensure she had pictures of the family as well as a sense of the story on the streets.
Although the evening of that vigil started out peaceful, as the people began to disperse Curtis went to leave and she couldn’t.
“The police had blocked off the main road to Ferguson with barricades on each road,” Curtis said.
The events that unfolded since the protest erupted throughout the country have left many journalist and other media crew frustrated at police officers. Difficulties between law enforcement and the media have been common during the St. Louis protesting events.
“It’s not uncommon for photojournalists to have difficult encounters with law enforcement officials,” Curtis said. “I’ve been kept from going into areas or from taking photographs of situations that the general public is allowed to witness.”
“The police had blocked off the main road to Ferguson with barricades on each road,” Curtis said.
The events that unfolded since the protest erupted throughout the country have left many journalist and other media crew frustrated at police officers. Difficulties between law enforcement and the media have been common during the St. Louis protesting events.
“It’s not uncommon for photojournalists to have difficult encounters with law enforcement officials,” Curtis said. “I’ve been kept from going into areas or from taking photographs of situations that the general public is allowed to witness.”
During her time spent in Ferguson Curtis stated that she was surprised by how nice protesters and residents were, specifically in the early days of the protests. Many people approached her and thanked her for being there to cover the events that were unfolding on the streets of Ferguson.
“It’s not often that members of the media are thanked for what we do,” Curtis said.
The relationship between not only the police and residents but police and media has not been pleasant since the eruption of protests all across the U.S.
Curtis witnessed Amendment rights being violated during her time spent in Ferguson.
“I do believe First Amendment rights were violated. Most of these violations I witnessed occurred in August within a couple weeks of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown,” Curtis said. “Journalists at times were forced into a holding area and were not allowed where members of the public were walking about freely. Protesters were sometimes not allowed to congregate on public sidewalks.”
There were also rules setup for both police officers and journalist, such as the “five-second rule” meaning that you could not stand still on a public sidewalk for more than five seconds, people had to keep moving, Curtis said.
These kind of rules are what has made the relationship between law enforcement and protesters and journalist tense.
Although Curtis has covered many stories in the past, covering Ferguson has been the most memorable for her.
“I’ve never had a news story take over my life like the events in Ferguson have over the past few months. It’s been surreal to It’s been an exhausting experience,” Curtis said. “But it’s been incredible meaningful to cover such a historic event. I’ve tried my best to cover this story as objectively as possible and let the public draw their own conclusions from my images.”
“It’s not often that members of the media are thanked for what we do,” Curtis said.
The relationship between not only the police and residents but police and media has not been pleasant since the eruption of protests all across the U.S.
Curtis witnessed Amendment rights being violated during her time spent in Ferguson.
“I do believe First Amendment rights were violated. Most of these violations I witnessed occurred in August within a couple weeks of the fatal shooting of Michael Brown,” Curtis said. “Journalists at times were forced into a holding area and were not allowed where members of the public were walking about freely. Protesters were sometimes not allowed to congregate on public sidewalks.”
There were also rules setup for both police officers and journalist, such as the “five-second rule” meaning that you could not stand still on a public sidewalk for more than five seconds, people had to keep moving, Curtis said.
These kind of rules are what has made the relationship between law enforcement and protesters and journalist tense.
Although Curtis has covered many stories in the past, covering Ferguson has been the most memorable for her.
“I’ve never had a news story take over my life like the events in Ferguson have over the past few months. It’s been surreal to It’s been an exhausting experience,” Curtis said. “But it’s been incredible meaningful to cover such a historic event. I’ve tried my best to cover this story as objectively as possible and let the public draw their own conclusions from my images.”