Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 7670 Plough Quarterly • Winter 2015 preventing children from going to school and resi- dents from going to work for several days. Just recounting his concern for other young men like him brought one man to tears. This traumatized community is ill-equipped to handle conflagra- tions that will likely erupt again if Officer Wilson is not brought to justice. What is more, though the community is keenly aware of the under­ lying systemic injustices they face, the anger and frus- tration aroused by the recent events may get in the way of their obtaining justice. The leaders of the protest are less focused on the tough questions of how to address the intractable structural issues they face than they are on continuing to protest. The situation is compounded by a failure of leadership in the black churches in the area. Granted, the local black Pentecostal clergy were impressive, feeding poor families when most of the stores shut down due to the rioting, and clean- ing up the neighborhood at 7 a.m. after each night of rioting. Nonetheless a substantial gap exists between the youth leading the protests and promi- nent church leaders, both local and national. In fact, recently the youth explicitly expressed their disappointment in the lack of a plan of action prof- fered by national figures who spoke at a march organized by local clergy. What is needed in Ferguson is a sustain- able strategy for the long game, with measurable outcomes: reducing violence among youth and increasing employment and education. Those who work within mainstream institutions, such as businessmen, politicians, university faculty, and philanthropists, must, in the short term, provide jobs for some of these youth. Many continue to protest in part because they cannot find employ- ment into which to channel their energy. Then, over the next year or two, programs that address the most urgent needs – employment, training, and education – must be designed and implemented. A strategic plan to integrate the police force in Ferguson must be put in place to address the alien- ation experienced by youth and other community members. A major voter-registration drive and get-out-the-vote effort is also essential to ensure representation of the community in local govern- ment. And a plan is needed to reduce the reliance of Ferguson and other suburbs of St. Louis on fines for their fiscal health. These inside players must also collaborate with clergy and activists. Black ministers, for their part, must put in place programs to foster healing among traumatized youth and other residents. Only as the powerful emotions aroused by the sit- uation are de-escalated can the community fully participate in long-term planning. Ministers must build relationships with young men and women, meeting them on their own terms. Street patrols led by clergy are one effective strategy to begin connecting with youth. From this base, young people can be referred to programs in which clergy can mentor them. While the verdict of the justice system in the case of Officer Wilson is beyond the control of the community, there is a role for all to play in obtain- ing justice in Ferguson by beginning to dismantle the system of racial inequity that traps youth like Michael Brown. Photographs by Jamelle Bouie / Wikimedia Left, a police sharpshooter in position at a protest in Ferguson, Missouri Right, protestors gather at the police station