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The Ferguson Commission released its report, Forward Through Ferguson: A Path Toward Racial Equity Monday, Sept. 14. The nearly 200-page document recommends 47 priority areas to improve conditions in the region.

Among the proposals put forth are those related to the criminal justice system, housing, education, economics, and even life expectancy. Differences between the races were found throughout the region, with the data clearly showing the extent of the discrepancies.

The four main areas addressed are Justice for All, Youth at the Center, Opportunity to Thrive and Racial Equity. Many suggested changes were expressed by various groups during and after Commission meetings.

The Commission attempted to convey the proposals in “plain language.” Nicole Hudson, a public relations consultant retained by the Commission, said, “We wanted to make an intentional choice to use the language in which we are spoken to and reflect that as much as possible back to the people.”

These calls to action are not accompanied by an implementation strategy. The report states, that “No matter how sound our calls to action, they are calls—the Commission does not have the power to enact them.” Gov. Nixon, who established the Commission after the unrest following the shooting death of Michael Brown, a black teenager, by a Ferguson policeman, has stated that the commission will have the full authority of his office behind it. However, Nixon’s term ends in 2017, so that authority will expire in less than 2 years.

To access the report, visit forwardthroughferguson.org.

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