VOA慢速英语2014 弗格森案有损美国的国际形象

 

AS IT IS 2014-12-12 Have Police Incidents Hurt America’s Image? 弗格森案有损美国的国际形象

People around the world are again talking about race relations in the United States.

Recently, two U.S. grand juries decided¹ not to recommend legal action against two police officers. The officers were involved in the deaths of two African-Americans in two separate cases -- one in Missouri, and the other in New York.

The grand jury decisions led to protests in cities across the nation. News organizations throughout the world reported on the story. Many showed images of the protesters. The demonstrations³ helped to motivate some people overseas.

In London, students at King’s College have been talking about the grand jury decisions and the unrest in their classes.

“It’s not a good thing.”

That is Xiang Yingchao, a 23-year-old economics student from China. He has studied in the United States.

“A lot of Chinese press, they said, like, ‘Oh, in U.S. they always say, they always advocate the human rights, but look at them -- it’s like they have two standards of human rights.’”

Fifty-three-year-old Paul Zimmerman is from London. He is studying for a master’s degree. He says the grand juries may have made the right decision, but many people just do not feel good about it.

“There’s an assumption that somehow there’s something that has gone on that isn’t quite right. Maybe they’ve come up with the right conclusion, but in a sense that doesn’t really matter.”

Mark Eastwood is a 24-year-old student from northern England. He agrees with Paul Zimmerman.

“I would say it’s exposed a broader issue. It’s more, for me, the, the story of Ferguson and what’s happened in New York in the last week or so, is more about the issues of, of, you know, as I say, structural⁴ racism⁵.”

Mr. Zimmerman says the election of Barack Obama for two terms as president does not mean that America’s racial issues have been solved.

“Electing a black president, in, in theory, is transformational but there’s a lot that needs to happen in order to correct many, many years of systemic unfairness.”

Xiang Yingchao agrees.

“One black president cannot change these things. They have to change their justice system, I mean, even their laws.”

Joshua Simon teaches at King’s College. He says his students recognize the concerns about the grand jury decisions. But he says they are hopeful because of the strong reaction to the decisions.

“They’re thinking of it as a, as a pretty shocking demonstration² of the, the remaining racial injustices⁶ in the United States, and a pretty encouraging sign that the population in the United States isn’t going to take these events lying down.”

Mr. Simon says many people believe the United States has made great progress in improving race relations. But he says the recent incidents have shown how much work remains⁷. He says poor race relations hurt American efforts to be considered a moral leader.

Words in This Story

grand jury – n. a group of citizens who decide whether to approve criminal charges

recommend – v. to suggest or propose that someone do something

structural – adj. relating to the way something is built or organized

systemic – adj. of or relating to a way of doing something

moral – adj. concerning what is right or wrong in someone’s actions

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 demonstration   

n.表明，示范，论证，示威

参考例句：

• His new book is a demonstration of his patriotism.他写的新书是他的爱国精神的证明。
• He gave a demonstration of the new technique then and there.他当场表演了这种新的操作方法。

3 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

4 structural   

adj.构造的，组织的，建筑（用）的

参考例句：

• The storm caused no structural damage.风暴没有造成建筑结构方面的破坏。
• The North American continent is made up of three great structural entities.北美大陆是由三个构造单元组成的。

5 racism   

n.民族主义；种族歧视(意识)

参考例句：

• He said that racism is endemic in this country.他说种族主义在该国很普遍。
• Racism causes political instability and violence.种族主义道致政治动荡和暴力事件。

6 injustices   

不公平( injustice的名词复数 )； 非正义； 待…不公正； 冤枉

参考例句：

• One who committed many injustices is doomed to failure. 多行不义必自毙。
• He felt confident that his injustices would be righted. 他相信他的冤屈会受到昭雪的。

7 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。