The University of Missouri and The Ferguson Effect

The University of Missouri and The Ferguson Effectby Lawrence Ware + LaVonya Bennett  | NewBlackMan (in Exile)
There is a Ferguson Effect, but it’s not what you think.
Many conservative commentators and some police officials have been warning Americans about what FBI Director James Comey called “The Ferguson Effect.” This is the idea that increased police scrutiny and the demand for body camera has and will continue to cause a rise in violent crime in certain cities—especially crimes against good police officers who are just doing their duty.
Acting chief of the Drug Enforcement Agency Chuck Rosenberg cosigned this theory by saying, “I think there’s something to it. Rightly or wrongly, you become the next viral video. Now you can do everything right and still end up on the evening news.” The White House and Justice Department disagrees. Issuing a statement recently, they stated:
“Mr. Rosenberg, as you pointed out, is the second administration official to make that kind of claim without any evidence.  And the fact is the evidence does not support the claim that somehow our law enforcement officers all across the country are shirking their duties and failing to fulfill their responsibility to serve and protect the communities to which they’re assigned. So I guess you’d have to ask him exactly what point he’s trying to make. You might also ask him if there’s any evidence to substantiate the claim that he’s made.”
There is clearly disagreement about the notion of the Ferguson effect as it relates to incidents of violent crime. Especially since this claim is not born out by the evidence. Yet, I do think there is a Ferguson Effect—and it is affecting consciousness of people all  across the country.
The activists who comprise the #ConcernedStudents1950 movement issued a statement at the beginning of their protests calling for the ouster of then University of Missouri systems president, Tim Wolfe.
Talking to the Associated Press, Reuben Faloughi, a third year doctoral student, explicitly cited Ferguson as a radicalizing moment for him. "That was the first time I got involved in activism. I never felt that unity before, that kind of energy. It was very empowering, and it planted the seeds that students can challenge things." Mike Sickels, a 32-year-old doctoral student agrees. He said, "This is something I wish had been happening here my entire tenure. I think universities should be bastions for this." Yes, there is a Ferguson effect. It’s the radical realization on the part of millennials that they have the ability to force those in power to address their concerns.
Americans should celebrate the social justice advocacy of millennials. Instead, they continue to marginalize activist groups, criticize the oppressed who are fighting for equity, and fuel systems of oppression. Instead of supporting millennials, becoming educated about the experiences of others, and fighting injustices—our rhetoric serves to blame millennials who are working to tear down systems of oppression.
When language like “riot” is used instead of “uprising,” we engage in victim blaming. So, when people ask the activist of #ConcernedStudents1950 why they would attend a school that they believed is so bad, they are directly supporting systems that are oppressive towards all marginalized populations. Our failure to understand that racism, sexism, and religious oppression are not unique to collegiate institutions, but, rather, are systems that are foundational to the American enterprise is why the structure of activism has begun to evolve. The evolution of activist efforts have a direct correlation to the polyvalent nature of oppression in our nation.     Many of the conversations we are having today use language and rhetoric that serve to undermine the efforts of activists. Conservative dialogue continues to inform the growing misconceptions and stereotypes around black and brown bodies.  
For example, in some moments,  marginalized communities are told to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. Yet, when oppressed groups work to make equitable spaces in the world as instructed, they are instantly deemed race-baiters, ungrateful, and moochers of the system. It’s a no-win proposition. Yet, Ferguson taught us that we can have agency, action, and a voice for populations that have consistently been silenced. The Ferguson Effect is a way to fight back against verbiage that so often becomes divisive and a barrier to justice.
At the University of Missouri, students and staff were silenced and ignored by administrators that did not respond to meeting requests or emails, and failed to address mounting concerns. They did not have education on diversity and inclusion, and those in power did not listen to gentle pleas for equity. Through several attempts to spark conversation, activist for equality were often met with silence, racism, and continued oppression.
Millennial activists have learned that powerful actions are needed to bring attention to powerful systems of oppression. People of color and social justice advocates are often told to handle things diplomatically—that is, do not upset those in power. Yet, we can see with the incidents at Missouri, Yale, the University of Oklahoma, and colleges around the United States, that those approaches do not instigate change or action.
Conversely, when those same individuals begin to speak louder, take their efforts public, and share the logic and emotion behind their cause, attention to their causes and dialogue begins. While the duration of attention and dialogue have strong correlation with economic influence, none of it would have occurred with the “diplomatic, calm, and quiet” approaches activist are often asked or expected to take.
The Ferguson Effect has shown us that systems of power and people in power do not respond unless drastic actions are taken. Millennials have learned this lesson and are realizing the power they possess.
The Ferguson Effect has given a new energy and strategy to contemporary activism. More importantly, there has been a response from those in power to social injustices. The Ferguson Effect continues to awaken the masses of black Americans who have bought into the lie that the fight against racism is over and a position of adjustment to injustice is the way to survive.
Ferguson awoke a sleeping giant, and, to quote Sam Cooke, a change is gonna come.
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LaVonya Bennett is an Administrator in Residence Life, a division of Student Affairs, and an adjunct instructor at the University of Oklahoma. She serves as a Directorate member with the Coalition for Women's Identities through the American College Personnel Association. She can be reached at:  Lavonyabennett@gmail.com
Lawrence Ware is an Oklahoma State University Division of Institutional Diversity Fellow. He teaches in OSU's philosophy department and is the Diversity Coordinator for its Ethics Center. A frequent contributor to the publication The Democratic Left and contributing editor of the progressive publication RS: The Religious Left, he has also been a commentator on race and politics for the Huffington Post Live, NPR's Talk of the Nation, and PRI’s Flashpoint. Follow him on Twitter: @law_ware