(CNN) -- America's painful struggle with racism has often brought great satisfaction to the country's rivals, critics, and foes. The killing of Michael Brown by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri, and its tumultuous aftermath has been a bonanza. "Protests spread across U.S." announced Iran's state-run Press TV. Russian government-controlled media showcased the dramatic pictures, "huge explosions," "mayhem unraveling," and what might look like the wholesale collapse of social order in America. Countries hostile to the U.S. ignore this key aspect: Behind the TV images of violence and the stunningly excessive, counterproductive police response, is that America is engaged in a profound, honest and what will prove to be a constructive debate about racism, law enforcement tactics, the weapons police use, and what life is like for minority teens.
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Frida Ghitis: Critics, foes of U.S. making hay with Ferguson, to portray U.S. in flames
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Ghitis: Venezuela, Iran, Egypt, Russia media played story as if U.S. social order breaking down
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She says Ferguson definitely brings up racism, police weapons, treatment of minorities
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Ghitis: But stories miss Americans' soul searching, civil rights history, size of protests
Russian
Russia
The government of @placeholder didn't even try to hide its efforts to gain political advantage.
Iran
Iran
In @placeholder, where opposition leaders languish in prison for years and human rights violations at the hands of the government are well-documented, authorities used Ferguson to undermine America's criticism.
Venezuela
Just to be clear, this is @placeholder, Iran, and Russia, criticizing the U.S. for the weaknesses in its democracy and its handling of human rights.
Iran
Iran
Just to be clear, this is Venezuela, @placeholder, and Russia, criticizing the U.S. for the weaknesses in its democracy and its handling of human rights.
U.S.
U.S.
U.S.
U.S.
U.S.
Americans
The government of Egypt, which killed thousands of protesters, urged the @placeholder to exercise restraint.
U.S.
U.S.
U.S.
U.S.
U.S.
Americans
To be sure, undemocratic, human rights violators criticizing the @placeholder does not exempt America from blame.