One Year Later

We are coming up on the one year anniversary of the confrontation between Michael Brown and Officer Wilson. The result of that confrontation was the death of Michael Brown, severe civil unrest and the eventual resignation of Officer Wilson.

What else has happened?

Here are the positives;

1. There has been a hard look at Police Procedures and the need for body camera’s as well as dash cameras.

2. The civil court in Ferguson has been re-vamped and the judge replaced with one that will conduct the affairs of the court in a more non-prejudicial method.

3. The Police Chief of Ferguson has stepped down and the department will go through a revamping under a new Chief.

4. A citizen’s review committee has been put in place to look at any future conflicts between Police and the Public.

Here are the negatives;

1. There is still distrust between the African American Community and the Police Department

2. There is still not a coalition of African American and Anglo Churches coming together for good dialogue and goal setting for giving the community the healing that it needs.

3. Some businesses are still not rebuilt and others have gone out of business because of the lack of customers in lieu of the unrest last summer.

4. There is still a major issue with the personnel racial mix of the police department not mimicking the racial mix of the community.

5. The economy of the City of Ferguson is still facing major hurdles, as people are still “frightened” to come to Ferguson to shop or dine.

6. The Media is still not giving positive coverage to Ferguson and to the efforts of the community to rebuild. They still seem to focus only on the negative in the community.

What concerns me the most as we come up on the anniversary is that there are major plans underway by several groups to stage protests in memory of Michael Brown this next weekend. These protests are designed to disrupt commerce and to also push the police and Ferguson Government into a reactionary mode rather than a protect and serve mode.

I believe that this might be a recipe for a repeat of last years civil unrest. It is also a shame that some of the event organizers are actually inviting “paid civil unrest protestors” to come into the City of Ferguson to supplement their efforts. My question, “Who is paying them and why do they feel they are needed?

So, here are some thoughts about positive actions for the weekend.

1. A peaceful march with signs to allow the community to vent some of their still pent up frustrations with the civic authorities.

2. A call to prayer by the major African American and Anglo Churches in the community.

3. A jobs fair to help people find employment to help alleviate the growing unemployment rate.

4. A push by the Civic authorities to have a booth at the job fair with applications and signing bonuses for African American, Latino and Asian citizens to join the Police Department and help bring more balance to racial mix of the department. There should be a set goal that the community knows about the percentage mix the department is trying to achieve.

5. A community wide work day to help fix, paint, clean and spruce up businesses that were damaged in last years unrest.

6. A candle light vigil with African American and Anglo Pastors taking turns praying, giving short devotionals and mingling with the people of Ferguson

Let us remember the tragic events of last summer, but remember them in a way that will bring healing, unity and new friendships among the people of the community and their civil servants.