Historian Aaron Griffith’s book God’s Law and Order: The Politics of Punishment in Evangelical America meets evangelicals at the intersection of the two vocal camps: those calling for more law and order as well as those wanting to build a justice system that heals. This book has been rightly praised, including being honored as Christianity… Continue reading God’s Law and Order Book Review
Category: Uncategorized
Transformation in a Reform World
Dr. King’s Vision on the Death Penalty
Today is a day for reflection. And I want to share the two thoughts foremost on my mind. The first is gratitude for the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact — while he was alive but also the enduring influence he has on our world, and the example he… Continue reading Dr. King’s Vision on the Death Penalty
Reflections from an EJUSA Intern
Kasandra Mojica earned one of two Shari Silberstein Reimagining Justice Internships in the fall 2021, working in communications. Throughout her time at EJUSA, she learned about our vision to address harm in a trauma-informed way, instead of with punishment, and she wrote this piece as a culmination of her internship. Kasandra graduated from Rutgers University… Continue reading Reflections from an EJUSA Intern
Restoring Through Storytelling
Troy Williams realizes he’s had some good luck in life. Not all good luck but some. The vast majority of people who are incarcerated suffer trauma and harm that can sustain for a lifetime. There’s little opportunity to heal or repair the broken parts of their lives inside the system to then be ready to… Continue reading Restoring Through Storytelling
The Momentum Continues
The more things change, the more they stay the same. The past two decades have brought a steady, state-by-state dismantling of the death penalty, and 2021 proved no different. We saw the first former Confederate state repeal the death penalty when Virgina Governor George Northam signed the state’s new law into the books. That stroke… Continue reading The Momentum Continues
Healing While Helping
When Tonja Myles looked around her community and saw the people struggling with substance issues, she couldn’t help but see herself. Sharing the trauma with many of the people that she serves, Tonja is perfectly positioned to advocate for people suffering with substance abuse. She struggled with PTSD after years of unhealed trauma related to… Continue reading Healing While Helping
Relieved…but we have far to go
In this moment, I’m thinking of Ahmaud Arbery’s parents. No doubt, they are feeling relief. The men who took Ahmaud away from them and their family and community are being held responsible. Despite an abundance of evidence, like so many, I was nervous about this verdict. Our justice system has signaled countless times throughout history… Continue reading Relieved…but we have far to go
Thank you from EJUSA
Our Young People Have Something to Say
I recently participated in the launch of a book to which I had contributed. The book, ”When You Hear Me, You Hear Us,” is a collection of poems and essays on youth incarceration and justice. Most of the authors are brilliant young people. The Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop put the book together… Continue reading Our Young People Have Something to Say