America in black and white: Here's simple, naked truth

The American city of Ferguson in Missouri is on fire following the acquittal of a white policeman who shot and killed an unarmed black teen, allegedly because he was wielding what looked like a gun and failed to put up his hands when ordered to.

In the event, Michael Brown, 18, was carrying a toy gun that he and an accomplice had used to rob a convenience store only minutes earlier.

When ordered to stop, Brown and his accomplice took off, with police officer Darren Wilson shooting at them. He fired 12 rounds, six of which hit Brown. The last bullet proved fatal.

There is possibly no legal argument that could be used to justify Wilson’s acquittal, but then America is a strange land.

Wilson argues he shot at Brown in self-defence because he feared he might return and harm him before he could call for backup. And although Brown was only eight to 10 feet away, Wilson couldn't tell if the gun in his hand was a toy or the real thing.

Many are wondering if Wilson was the right man for the job, if he harboured such insecurities.

But the more important question is whether he would have acted the same way if he had been dealing with a white teen.