The Ferguson Commission Report

October 08, 2015 – Issue 624

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The Ferguson Commission Report “The lack of visible, tangible commitment of time, resources, and most critical, the political influence to make it happen is a clear sign that the racial justice movement is going to have an uphill battle to get accountability and cooperation.”

Recently the long awaited report by the Ferguson Commission was released. The report is appropriately titled “Forward Through Ferguson: A Path Toward Racial Equity.” Before I could be overwhelmed by the 189 recommendations embedded in the nearly 200 pages, I was underwhelmed by the region’s so-called leaders. Where were the declarations of commitment, of pledged resources, by those entrusted with the power to make change? “I commit to you today that these efforts will not be in vain.” These were the words of Governor Jay Nixon at the public release. That sounds nice but the governor would’ve have been more convincing had he punctuated that remark with very specific actions his own office would be taking to implement parts of the report. That’s the main way Nixon could ensure that the efforts of the 16-member commission and the thousands of citizens engaged in the 10-month process would not be in vain. The impact of the release would be still reverberating had the governor and his good ole boys in the executive and legislative bodies stood on the stage and proclaimed what their respective office would do to realize the recommendations. “Do” is a verb; in this case, it must be an action verb.

Ferguson going up in smoke last August after the police murder of Mike Brown exposed a simmering cauldron of injustices from police profiling for profiteering to high unemployment. Governor Nixon could’ve shown some real leadership by sharing a comprehensive plan for the region to bring about systemic change. This was not leadership. Why is this important? Because the report contained some good stuff, recommendations for some serious policy changes that could make a difference in the lives of black and working people. The lack of visible, tangible commitment of time, resources, and most critical, the political influence to make it happen is a clear sign that the racial justice movement is going to have an uphill battle to get accountability and cooperation. It would be so much more productive if all of the citizen efforts could go towards implementing the recommendations and not fighting with those who choose to uphold the rotting status quo. The report was crystal clear that the structural inequities of the region are rooted in racism. We don’t have the luxury of wasting time and energy on pushing and pulling on resistant and uncooperative power brokers who stand in the way of progress. I am not dousing cold water on the report and the hard work that went into the process. I am making an observation about how challenging this will be from the jump if you don’t have major stakeholders clear about their roles and responsibilities. This is a project that will take tens of thousands of citizens in motion together if we are to collectively forge a path to racial equity. The progressive sector must get more strategic, more coordinated and more unified to build a strong movement that will force victories out of a hostile system that is squeezing the economic, social and political life out of our communities. We have been duly warned that our oppressors will not cooperate. Let’s move forward with our eyes wide open for the battle ahead.