St. Louis alderman Antonio French understands your cynicism about real change in America. He keeps an office in Ferguson, Mo., right on West Florissant Avenue, where police clashed with demonstrators last August after Ferguson Police Department officer Darren Wilson shot and killed unarmed 18-year-old Michael Brown. He's seen firsthand the struggle to recognize the humanity of black Americans in the face of systemic racism and police violence. French became eyes and ears on the ground for those of us who followed the Michael Brown protests via social media in 2014 (and beyond), thanks to his tweets and Vine videos.
Nearly one year later, French remains an active voice in the Black Lives Matter movement and a source of insight into challenges in the community he calls home. Complex News met with French to discuss the work that remains ahead for all of us.
This is part one of our interview. Check back tomorrow for part two's discussion of the 2016 election and white involvement in Black Lives Matter.
