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Things have obviously changed quite a bit since Mr. Butt wrote that article, but I think he misses the point entirely. Perhaps the "chaos" of Ferguson would be far less likely in Canada, but that is not because of Canada's superior special investigation units (SPUs), but because of its entirely different historical context of racism. While blacks in Canada are certainly victims of racism, they have not endured – to the same – the systemic oppression those in the US have. The wave of violent protests Ferguson endured was not due to a lack of effective investigation or policing – although that certainly would have helped – rather, it was a result of years of racial inequality and mistreatment. It did not help that Michael Brown lay on the street for hours following his death. It did not help that the police officers were slow and clumsy in the aftermath of the shooting. But what happened in Ferguson would likely have happened with a swift and effective SPU handling the situation. Ferguson was a powder keg waiting for a spark.

Moving on, after the failure to indict officer Wilson, another wave of protests hit Ferguson. The violence that ensued that night was quickly condemned by President Obama, and by media outlets across America who chose to focus on the symptoms of a much larger systemic problem. Mr. Butt is not alone in failing to recognize the local context of the situation; journalists and citizens across America have condemned the violent protests without acknowledging the valid pain and frustration behind it. The overlook the history of violence and looting in America. The Boston Tea Party was not a political entity, but a band of violent rebels. The settlers did not just settle, but pillaged and looted Native Americans. All this does not condone violence in Ferguson, but it puts it in context. This is essential to seeing what is happening in Ferguson and beyond.