Models of Macro Practice Activity

Angel Wagner, Bethany Shearer, Katelyn Barbre, Sarah Viliocco

SOCW 400-002

Ferguson Tears Down Buildings to Rebuild AgainNBC News

Locality DevelopmentSome of the buildings (physical capital) in Ferguson, Missouri were vandalized and burnt down during the 2014 Ferguson Riots after the death of Michael Brown. As evidenced in the article, the community is now coming together (social capital) to use their skills (human capital), money (financial capital), teamwork, trust and cooperation (social capital) to rebuild the affected buildings. This is locality development because the community is focusing on creating infrastructure aimed at impacting community-wide issues, such as the negative feelings residents of Ferguson feel when they see that their community has been vandalized and that the local government has done nothing to make the eye sores look better. This is also locality development because the community is using existing capital (human, financial, social, and physical) to increase the community’s capital.Rogers, K. (2015). Ferguson tears down buildings, to rebuild again. NBC News. Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/business/economy/ferguson-tears-down-buildings-rebuild-again-n339256

George Soros funds Ferguson protests, hopes to spur civil action

Washington Times

Social PlanningBillionaire George Sorros donated $33 Million to grassroots activist groups, such as Black Lives Matter, in Ferguson, Missouri after the community was widely affected by the death of Michael Brown at the hands of a white police officer. This donation bolstered these grassroots activists to take charge and affect community-wide change. The donation by Sorros can be considered social planning because Sorros assessed the needs of the black community in Ferguson and found that more attention and accountability brought to the subject of police brutality and violence aimed at Black citizens was needed. Sorros would be considered a private funder in this model of macro change. In this case, rational problem solving strategies aimed at combating the community problem were used. The rational solution was providing money to the grassroots activists on the ground in Ferguson that have since sparked a national movement.Riddell, K. (2015). George Soros funds Ferguson protests, hopes to spur civil action. The Washington Times. Retrieved from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jan/14/george-soros-funds-ferguson-protests-hopes-to-spur/

Ferguson Unrest: Protesters, Police Face Off in 4th Night of Demonstrations

ABC News via Good Morning America

Social ActionTo mark the one year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death in Ferguson, MO, protesters blocked a lane on West Florissant Avenue. This was, for the most part, a non-violent protest. Police officers did have frozen water bottles and rocks thrown at them, but their protective gear shielded them from harm. At least 23 people were arrested, and pepper spray was used on the crowd. (The reason for the use of pepper spray is unknown). Hundreds of people held signs and protested earlier that evening as well. These protests can be considered social action because the people in the community are taking a stand to change what they believe is an unjust society. Michael Brown’s death happened over a year ago, but it still resonates with the people of Ferguson, MO, and the people of Ferguson, MO are still seeking justice. Good Morning America (2015). Ferguson unrest: Protesters, police face off in 4th night of demonstrations. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/US/ferguson-unrest-protesters-officers-face-off-4th-night/story?id=33004676