Models of Macro Practice Activity for SOCW 400 by Angel Wagner, Bethany Shearer, Katelyn Barbre, and Sarah Viliocco

1. Models of Macro Practice
Activity
Angel Wagner, Bethany Shearer, Katelyn
Barbre, Sarah Viliocco
SOCW 400-002

2. Ferguson Tears Down Buildings to
Rebuild Again
NBC News

3. Locality Development
Some 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

4. George Soros funds Ferguson
protests, hopes to spur civil action
Washington Times

5. Social Planning
Billionaire 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/

6. Ferguson Unrest: Protesters, Police Face
Off in 4th Night of Demonstrations
ABC News via
Good Morning
America

7. Social Action
To 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