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EJUSA’s New Board Chair

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I am honored to be elected as Chair of the EJUSA Board, an organization I have long admired.

I was introduced to EJUSA many years ago through its work to end the death penalty, driving repeal campaigns in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and other parts of the country. I became more intimately familiar with its work during my tenure at Open Society Foundations (OSF), where EJUSA was an anchor grantee in our death penalty portfolio.

I vividly recall a conversation I had over lunch one day with founder Shari Silberstein. She spelled out a vision for a criminal legal system that turned away from punishment as its primary response, one that instead focused on healing, safety, and accountability that repairs everyone affected by harm.

At the time, my team at OSF was wrestling with the urgency of reducing the harm and excesses of the current system while at the same time recognizing we needed to support building something concrete in its place, something that provided real community healing and safety. Something that confronted the disproportionate harm that longstanding practices had wreaked on Black and Brown communities. Our job was to invest in those solutions, and we were eager to support EJUSA’s bold vision.

In 2021, after years of witnessing EJUSA evolve and demonstrate how to work with partners to center the community in creating true solutions promoting safety, I discovered that Jami Hodge was taking over for Shari. I knew Jami to be a brilliant thinker, passionate advocate, and effective leader. When she called soon after to ask if I was interested in joining the board, I had no hesitation.

Now, I’ve been elected to be our next board chair, succeeding Jesselyn McCurdy and her six years leading the board. They are big shoes to fill. Jesselyn has been a leader on various social justice issues throughout her career, and a dedicated and tireless chair and champion for EJUSA and its work.

I am committed to building upon her leadership and impact, along with the rest of our outstanding board, visionary leader, and exceptional staff. I am excited about what lies ahead. We continue to beat back the death penalty in multiple states. Our groundbreaking Trauma to Trust program, fostering greater understanding between the community and police, is on the cusp of national expansion. Our new Restorative Justice Project is a powerful pathway to healing that demonstrates our vision for true justice, safety, and accountability that repairs.

I take all this in as I reflect on that question we had at OSF years ago: What organizations are building solutions to a racist, harmful legal system?

In EJUSA, I’ve found one with a distinct, inspiring vision and a strategic plan to make that vision real. I’m honored to offer my experience and leadership as, together, we build the justice system that people need to thrive. My ultimate goal as incoming chair is for you to see that same promise of safety and justice, to inspire a shared investment, and to make our vision reality.

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Equal Justice USA Appoints Leonard Noisette as its Next Board Chair

Lifelong justice strategist and advocate brings experience and passion to organization.

(June 12, 2024) — Equal Justice USA announced today that Leonard Noisette will be the organization’s next board chair, effective immediately. He brings his decades of justice experience, strategic vision, and deep knowledge of financial scaling to EJUSA at a crucial juncture, as the organization expands the reach of a community-centered model for building public safety ecosystems.

“When I became the leader of EJUSA, one of the first things I did was connect with Lenny in hopes of bringing his wisdom and decision-making to the team,” said Jamila Hodge, EJUSA’s CEO. “Lenny’s perspective and intellect, as well as his connections throughout the justice movement, will be even more valuable to us as he takes on more leadership.”

After graduating from New York University Law School, Noisette began a long career in public defense, with nearly two decades at the Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, where he would eventually rise to the executive director role, leading a staff of 35. Noisette brought that experience to the Open Society Foundation, where he led the U.S. criminal justice program and invested $20 million annually, over 13 years, in organizations reforming and transforming our system. Since leaving OSF, he has continued to teach at Fordham University School of Law while also consulting with other justice leaders.

“After years of witnessing EJUSA evolve, demonstrating how to work with partners to center the community in creating true solutions promoting safety, I’m thrilled to support the team in an expanded capacity as it builds real community healing and safety.” said Noisette. “EJUSA’s vision for true justice and accountability that repairs, manifested through its groundbreaking programs and advocacy, is much needed in this particular moment.”

Noisette succeeds Jesselyn McCurdy, the executive vice president for government affairs at The Leadership Conference of Civil and Human Rights, who steps down after six years as the board chair, and leaves the board after 14 years of extraordinary service, helping steer the organization as it grew into its current vision.

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Nurturing Mental Health Amidst the Fight for Justice

Water on the wood, healing, water trickling, green back drop

In the ongoing battle against systemic injustice grassroots leaders and social justice professionals are often at the forefront, tirelessly advocating for change. However, amidst the fight for equity and well-being, it’s crucial to emphasize mental health this May and every month for recovery and healing.

Communities of color continue to be disproportionately affected by the devastating impacts of unjust systems. Our collective trauma permeates through generations, manifesting in individual, social, and historical layers of pain. At its core, justice must encompass the holistic well-being of all individuals involved, for those who have experienced harm and those who have caused harm. By centering healing and restoration in our pursuit of justice, we can create pathways toward true reconciliation and transformation.

We show up for our children, our elders, our families, and our friends filled with the power and passion needed to confront the difficulties of enacting change. To bear the losses, to forge on for the victories, and to seize the opportunities and get in good trouble. By prioritizing our mental health, we strengthen our capacity to enact meaningful change while safeguarding our well-being, leaning on one another for support, and sharing our stories and experiences all while taking the crucial steps towards our collective healing and resilience.

As the director of the Healing Justice Program, I too am often reminded by my colleagues of the need to pause and regroup. My village always reminds me of the need for my care and rest and with that nudge, I retreat. I often seek renewal near water. Water’s healing power almost has a transfixed hold on me. I often feel the urge to find it and seek solace within it, when recalibration is needed. The mystery is I’m not sure what lures me to it. I just need it so I go. For me, there is no specific location, where I land is where I need to be. The sound of the ocean calms me, the stillness of the lakes center me, and the ripples of the rivers ignite me. My mental care flows with the rhythm of the waves and the cleansing aroma in the air. This rhythm speaks to my worries, my pain, and my stressors. I can release or I can reflect. I can escape or I can find resolve as I seek guidance with a peaceful mind. From that peaceful state, I can find the energy to continue showing up to the work of changing systems and sustaining other healers and organizers.

As we stand together for one another collectively we must continue to nurture the core of our movement…our people. Recently, in Mecklenburg, NC, a room full of healers explored the benefits of essential oils, sharing their remedies that have been passed on through their lineage, like the power of lemongrass that helps with pain or swelling to ease the long days and nights working tirelessly for the community they love. Others shared the nostalgic memories of a hot cup of chamomile tea that aids in sleepless nights but rekindles memories of a mother’s love as she pours a hot cup of chamomile tea to make us feel better and to rest. We all have those people and experiences in our lives that have helped us to slow down, settle our systems, find a home and connection and heal with each other. It’s important to find those small things – maybe a place, maybe a person, maybe some herbs or oils or a spiritual practice – that help us feel more whole, and to pass on that knowledge collectively to support our people.

it’s imperative that we acknowledge and process the grief and trauma that accompany our work. The perpetual cycle of witnessing injustices, advocating for change, and confronting systemic biases can be emotionally, mentally, and physically taxing, emphasizing the need for intentional self-care and communal support. We must always allow ourselves the space to grieve, to feel, and to heal. And when we step in for others to do the same we pull from our very essence to nurture our own. Through shared tears we hold their hands, in loss, we embrace them through their pain, in solidarity we activate when harmed.

Our communal care fosters environments that promote open dialogue, empathy, appreciation, and understanding of our diverse perspectives and common adversities. Each of those is essential to the soil from which we can generate the systems of care, repair, and safety that our communities need. 

As we commit ourselves to our advocacy and our communities, We must not overlook the importance of nurturing our mental health and fostering spaces of healing and support. By coming together, sharing our experiences, and prioritizing self-care, we support our village and continue to pour into our collective mental care. And in these moments let us not forget about our own place of refuge, either by the water or in a cup of tea, words scribbled in a journal or tapping our feet to our favorite beat. This May, let us commit to paying attention to our mental care as we prioritize our peace individually so we can care for our village collectively.

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The Harm of Misinformation

broken glass with blue tape on it

A few weeks ago, we shared some essential facts about misinformation and propaganda so that readers could recognize it as they see it. Today, we will discuss narratives that perpetuate harm against minority communities. 

In 1619, European traders kidnapped and enslaved the first of 12.5 million Africans. Those that survived the trans-Atlantic journey worked and suffered as slave labor. The enslavers soon created patrols to oppress and control these human beings—the first policing force. 

Policing is the front line of incarceration. Black Codes and Jim Crow laws to reinvent enslaved labor and oppress Black people. The repression of the civil rights movement and the war on drugs and everything between served as tools in a legal system that has built our mass incarceration crisis that has made the U.S. one of the most carceral nations in the world, with almost 20% of the global prison population, is a relentless force intent on sustaining itself. 

The exploitation of forced (slave) labor as part of incarceration is still part of a massive system geared toward survival and growth. And the actors in that system know that propaganda can play a key role in its sustainability. Here are three narratives built on mis- or disinformation that support the system:  

Disinformation Narrative 1: More police equals more safety.

Heightened police presence does not decrease the number of reported crimes in areas with substantial Black populations (source). Unsurprisingly, with more cops, the number of arrests for minor crimes increases, but the homicide rate does not decrease. This is because policing is a product of racism created to oppress Black people, and is only trained and equipped to react to harm. By design, they don’t, and can’t, address the factors that lead to harm.  

Impact: This narrative is driven by fear. It preys on society’s fear of crime and criminals. The narrative distracts citizens from the true causes of crime. By perpetuating this narrative, cities increase the number of arrests. This increase only serves to fuel the prison industrial complex that capitalizes on slave labor.

Disinformation Narrative 2: Police are being defunded.

The United States has the most well-funded police force in the world, and yet, all this spending does not decrease the overall crime rate. “Defunding” hasn’t happened—no matter how much the news, politicians, or presidents state it. In fact, funding for policing increased substantially in the past few years (source). Despite the increase in police funding, and despite having the most well-funded police force in the world, violent crimes still happen.

Impact: This deliberately false narrative’s purpose is to increase funding for law enforcement at all levels. By pushing the lie that local law enforcement does not have enough funds, politicians, police chiefs, and lobbying organizations reinforce the fear of increasing crime. Cities have the excuse to divert money from preventative programs and services that work to address the root causes of crime.

Disinformation Narrative 3: Police need more training.

When police commit violence against community members, the response is often a push for more training. After all, it’s only a few bad apples spoiling the bunch. Media outlets insisted that it was the problem of the individual officer, not the institution itself. They called for putting more money into the police departments because officers weren’t trained enough. They did not have the right equipment such as body cameras. Cities did not decrease police spending. Funds increase each year, but those funds have not led to a significant  change in police brutality.

Impact: This narrative is interwoven with the other two lies to increase money siphoned into local police departments. It does not serve to address the economic, structural, and societal factors that cause harm. It’s a band-aid solution.

These narratives and techniques serve to capitalize on fear, divert attention away from causal factors, and divert much-needed funding from social services. They are jingly keys to distract us while police continue to arrest Black and Brown people at a disproportionately higher rate. More prisoners means more forced labor for the companies that lobby to prevent societal changes. When you see these messages, ask yourself who benefits? Who might be funding these narratives? Who might be financially benefiting from them? Following the money is a useful tool when debunking propaganda. 

Where to go from here

The next post in this series will cover how to recognize misinformation when you see it. We may be surrounded by propaganda, but we are able to identify it, combat it, and work towards addressing the harm it does.

Links for further reading:

Articles on Prison Labor

These states still have slavery language in their constitutions

These states use prison labor without pay

Even in states where the language was removed, prisons still use free labor

Read more about companies that capitalize on prison and slave labor (globally): 

12 Corporations Benefiting from the Prison Industrial Complex

Forced labor in China

US Prison labor tied to the world’s most popular food brands

Law enforcement:

Evolution of Law Enforcement 

Police don’t stop crime

NYT Twists Stats to Insist we Need More Policing

Propaganda and technology:

Why Propaganda is More Dangerous in the Digital Age

Racialized Disinformation

Propaganda Eduction for a Digital Age

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Beyond the Choir

There have been so many moments these past months when I wanted to pause, gather my thoughts, and tell you about the incredible things happening at EJUSA. I am finally getting that chance. 

I told you a little about our incredible event with the Players Coalition in Las Vegas, just days before the Super Bowl. Since then, our program team has built an ambitious agenda of actions for partnership with the Coalition. The focus is on Louisiana, where the recently elected governor is driving a brutal legislative package that doubles down on punishment, especially of young people. 

The success in that state of our community-led public safety strategies and our restorative justice work is a shining counterargument to the punishment-first mindset. 

Just weeks after the Super Bowl, I was in Austin for South by Southwest, a multilayered conference and festival, to talk about the role the community can play in their public safety. We put this panel together, which featured Lisa Daniels, the founder of the Darren B. Easterling Center for Restorative Practices; Greg Jackson, who works in the White House as the deputy director of the historic Office of Gun Violence Prevention; and our phenomenal moderator, James Cadogan, the executive director of the National Basketball Social Justice Coalition. 

This event was especially important because it brought us outside “the choir,” talking to people that are still learning about alternative approaches to violence and community-centered public safety. Here’s a sample of the conversation:

The first days of April took me, and several members of our team, to a community violence intervention conference hosted by the Department of Justice. I was honored to speak during a plenary session on the power and role of narrative in our efforts to transform what justice means in this nation. 

Finally, just days ago, I took part in another fascinating conversation, this one about the potential risks that AI could have in the criminal legal system by perpetuating the racism and bias inherent in that system. 

And those are just some of the highlights. We have more incredible work coming down the road. Our research team is putting together a fascinating report on the safety needs of a rural community in Louisiana that struggles with violence—our strategies aren’t just for cities. In the coming months, we will be selecting four new communities in which to launch our restorative justice work. And we’re unveiling a new version of our Trauma to Trust curriculum this summer. 

If you’re inspired by this momentum, I hope you’ll consider making an investment today in the future of public safety.

PS: If you have a second and are interested in learning about a different aspect of our work, please read Taylor Mason’s blog about helping a new organization make its first roots strong. It’s a wonderful read.

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Healing in Community

Graphic with a backdrop of a tree and its roots and the title of the blog

You may have heard the news last December about a new development at Equal Justice USA: the Restorative Justice Project.

Our Restorative Justice Project is a groundbreaking endeavor aimed at fostering healing and accountability within communities across the nation. At EJUSA, we firmly believe that restorative justice offers an impactful approach to building communities and ensuring their safety.

Through this project, our dedicated team is working closely with communities from California to Philadelphia, and from Nashville to New Orleans, and beyond, to develop restorative justice diversion programs. These programs are designed to address harm, meet needs, and identify root causes, while also providing a platform for meaningful accountability and transformation.

To give you a glimpse into the incredible work being done as part of our Restorative Justice Project, I encourage you to watch “Healing in Community: The Power of Restorative Justice Diversion Trailer.” This video showcases the perspectives and experiences of several restorative justice diversion programs within EJUSA’s National Restorative Justice Diversion Collaborative.

In these programs, participants are invited to deeply explore a set of questions that look very different from the questions asked by the criminal legal system. Instead of focusing on what law was broken and how we punish the person that broke it, restorative justice recognizes that what is elevated as a crime is not always an accurate reflection of the harm caused or a directive on what is needed to make things right. Restorative justice starts with the questions:

  • What happened?
  • Who was harmed and what do they need?
  • Whose obligation is it to repair the harm and meet those needs?

Furthermore, these programs address unmet needs that may have led someone to cause harm. By asking questions like “Who else has been impacted by this harm? What are the root causes? and What is needed to address those root causes and prevent further harm?” We delve into the restorative justice process, aiming not only to repair harm but also to sow transformative seeds that lead to deeper relationships and meaningful accountability.

We distinguish between crime and harm. While crime is a violation of the law, harm is described and defined by those involved. For restorative justice, this distinction is understood deeply, and for survivors of harm, the category of crime determined by law enforcement rarely describes the harm they experienced and what impacted them most. Furthermore, as crime categories are often linked with corresponding punishments as dictated by the criminal legal system, the distinction between crime and harm is another example of returning power back to folks most impacted to describe what happened and determine what is needed to make things as right as possible.

Our Restorative Justice Project is honored to partner with communities across the country to answer the fundamental question: What do we do when harm happens? Through our work to develop innovative programs and partnerships, we’re providing communities with the tools and resources they need to navigate conflicts and harm in a way that fosters healing, growth, and connection — a pathway to real safety. 

Thank you for your continued support of our work and please check out the work of our amazing partners. 

We also want to express our gratitude to our funders, Just Impact and Galaxy Gives, for believing in our restorative justice diversion work over the years and for providing us with the flexible funding that made this video possible.

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Honoring Waymakers

Grey background with a woman in the back and words on top to highlight the title of the blog

Women’s History Month gave us time to reflect on the incredible contributions of Black women throughout history. We deeply value these waymakers who have tirelessly fought against injustice and paved the way for a more equitable future. Recently, I had the privilege of attending a Peer Learning Lab hosted by EJUSA, where the focus was on celebrating the legacy of Black women in the movement. Co-hosted by Tonjie Reese, EJUSA’s Director of Learning and Practice, and Josie Alexander, Baton Rouge Strategist, the lab was a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength embodied by Black women.

Immediately I was struck by how the presentation was thoughtfully designed, incorporating vibrant shades of purple that echoed the imagery found in Alice Walker’s work. The session began with a grounding exercise, drawing inspiration from the words of Octavia Butler. As we reflected on the affirmation, “We can, each of us, do the impossible as long as we can convince ourselves that it has been done before,” it served as a reminder of the collective power we hold when we stand together. Watching a short video on the Woman’s Club Movement further highlighted the pivotal role Black women have played in advocating for social change throughout history.

Josie and Tonjie led us through a timeline highlighting key moments of Black women’s involvement in various movements, from abolition to civil rights to contemporary activism. It was a testament to their enduring legacy. We also delved into the challenges Black women face in organizing spaces, where their voices are often marginalized and their leadership undervalued. Despite these obstacles, Black women continue to be at the forefront of social movements, driving change and demanding accountability. As we discussed the importance of passing the torch and preserving the flame of activism, it became clear that honoring Black women’s contributions is not just a matter of historical recognition but a commitment to amplifying their voices and ensuring their legacies endure.

To conclude the session, we recited a creed and commitment, reaffirming our dedication to honoring and elevating the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Black women. In solidarity, we pledged to be relentless in our pursuit of justice, equity, and equality, recognizing that the liberation of Black women is intertwined with the liberation of all.

As a Black woman myself, this Peer Learning Lab was deeply meaningful. Thank you, Tonjie and Josie, for reminding me of the resilience of my ancestors and the responsibility I carry to continue their legacy of advocacy. Let’s recommit ourselves to the ongoing struggle for justice, guided by the wisdom and courage of Black women who have paved the way for generations to come.

 

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Reinvest in Communities

a crowd of people in the street in background, fisted hands raised in the foreground in protest

As I sat down to watch “Reimagining Safety” on Amazon Prime, I expected a typical documentary on police reform. However, what I witnessed transcended mere critique; it offered a profound examination of the historical roots and societal impact of policing in America. Rather than providing a summary of the film, I feel compelled to share my reflections on the urgent need for change.

The film highlights the need for community-based solutions to address the systemic issues ingrained within law enforcement. It challenges us to confront the uncomfortable truths about the origins of policing in America. From the slave patrols of the antebellum South to the present-day manifestations of racial bias and violence, the institution of policing has been historically intertwined with the suppression and control of marginalized communities, specifically of Black and Brown communities.

Central to this discussion is the notion of reallocating resources and funding the community through essential social services such as housing, education, and mental health support. It’s a call to recognize that investing in these areas not only enhances public safety but also addresses the root causes of crime and social unrest.

The film sheds light on the deficiencies within police training programs. These programs vary in length and content. Some try to prepare officers for crisis responses, and others hope for the best. One consistency throughout is the emphasis on militarization and punitive measures that perpetuate a cycle of violence and distrust, particularly among Black and Brown communities who bear the brunt of over-policing and brutality.

The murder of George Floyd served as a catalyst for widespread public outcry and demands for accountability. It laid bare the realities of police violence and the urgent need for systemic change. However, the subsequent calls for reform, such as increased training and body cameras, fall short in addressing the underlying issues of systemic racism and bias ingrained within the institution of policing.

Fundamentally, policing is not just a practice but an ideology rooted in notions of punishment and control, disproportionately targeting marginalized communities. This punitive approach perpetuates a cycle of incarceration and violence, sustaining fear and mistrust within communities.

The uprising following George Floyd’s killing launched a movement to redefine public safety and challenge the status quo. It’s a call to reimagine a world where we have to rely on policing far less and we invest in community-based strategies focused on prevention, intervention, and restorative justice.

As Audre Lorde eloquently stated, “Without community, there is no liberation.” It’s a reminder that true liberation necessitates collective action and solidarity. To truly ensure the safety and well-being of all members of society, we must invest in community-based solutions that prioritize compassion, accountability, and justice for all.

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Learning and Practice

photo of staff member in front of a green and white backdrop

Tonjie Reese was recently promoted to her new role, Director of Learning and Practice. She leads and equips community members with the skills, empathy, and tools necessary to contribute to public safety ecosystems. She is also the founder of eleven24, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing interpersonal violence. Sierra Scott recently sat down with Tonjie Reese to talk about her journey in the work and what she envisions and hopes to accomplish in this new role. 

What kind of work were you doing in your previous position as a capacity building specialist and how did it transition into your new position, director of learning and practice? 

As a capacity building specialist, a lot of that work was working directly with our grassroots partners to support building infrastructure and relationship building. We have historically been heavy on supporting folks with creating grants and supporting them around grant funding, but on the capacity building team, we were trying to shift things beyond grant writing because it’s one thing to get a grant, and a whole other thing to operate an organization and have it be sustainable…We have been doing a lot of accompaniment work and I felt like there needed to be some level of macro engagement which also fit into EJUSA’s longer-term vision of building out a resource library.

Since I am in Detroit, and a lot of folks that we were working with were in Louisiana, I felt like there were opportunities for us to keep in contact with folks and continue to offer some type of capacity building resource. This is how the peer learning labs came about.

We had an opportunity to integrate the peer learning labs into a grant we just secured with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, an agency that provides leadership and assistance to local criminal justice programs. Now the grantees would have their own learning labs. With the continued expansion of the labs, building out the resource library is a priority (the resource library is a collection of learning tools including peer learning lab recordings, handouts, and toolkits that the team will be building in the future). It also allows our EJUSA team to create their learning labs and be the drivers in it; this is the foundation in building a training institute, while also building out a fellowship program.

My vision and thought for learning and practice overall is to create a community of learning, where individuals, empowered by knowledge and practice, actively engage in violence intervention and justice transformation. Learning and practice will provide those who have been historically marginalized with the opportunity to learn theories, concepts, and competencies alongside their peers – while also developing practical solutions for their unique communities. This involves collaborating with individuals within our EJUSA team and grassroots organizations we partner with. I imagine this training institute for facilitating dialogue and ways to create collaboration. The purpose of the institute is for community members to feel empowered.

Are there any success stories or impactful moments that have happened during the peer learning labs?

We have had the passing of information and some referrals from our staff…[for example] , there was a referral from somebody that we have been doing capacity work with, and we had one on one coaching conversations centered on building up his organization. I mentioned to him that Giving Tuesday was coming up and he was like, “Oh my gosh, I am not ready for that.” I immediately sent him our recording of our Giving Tuesday Learning Lab and he ended up raising a  good amount of money…That was a resource for us last year that he was able to benefit from…and that has been a highlight. Also, a highlight has been the overall feedback through the surveys I send out. The surveys have been overall positive and folks are happy to have a space to learn from. After attending the sessions, participants have shared that the content is useful for them and they left feeling more confident about a topic. Even if someone doesn’t attend the live session, they have access to the recording, and we always have replays on the recordings.

Is there anything else that you would like to speak about when it comes to learning and practice? 

One thing I’m excited about with learning and practice, which is something we do at EJUSA that is kind of natural, is experiential learning and the field trips we take. I have been to museums with folks at EJUSA more than a couple of times, like recently we went to Congo Square in New Orleans where we learned about the history and its connection to Haiti. I call them “adult field trips” and that to me is also peer learning spaces. It’s where we can have learning exchanges, knowledge exchanges, and discussions while going into actual communities and different places. This is how I see the peer learning labs expanding and also how folks can use this in their communities. 

For future learning labs, we’ll lean into topics that are interesting to our partners and are focused on building infrastructure, healing, and intersections of community violence. The learning opportunities are endless, and I’m excited to learn with our team and partners. I’m also excited to build out our fellowship program, which will provide assistance to small-community based organizations in need of administrative, organizational, and fundraising support. 

Next Learning Labs: 

Strategies for Community Outreach

Reparations: Past, Present, and Future

Join our community today to receive exclusive insights, funding opportunities, and expert tips for grassroots organizations directly from Equal Justice USA’s Capacity Building team. Let us support you in developing and sustaining your programs – sign up now to stay informed!

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Identifying Propaganda

TV set with a brick backdrop on a brick ground

In the Age of Information, accessing data you need has never been easier. Our phones, tablets, TVs, and computers provide a constant flood of information. Whether in public or private, you are able to view sports, the weather, entertainment, or news almost instantly. However, this also means that it is easier than ever to be targeted by propaganda. But, what is propaganda exactly? 

Propaganda is the systemic dissemination of biased or misleading information to influence public opinion.

Propaganda and advertising are similar, but while advertising sells a product, propaganda sells an idea. Propaganda is about power. It’s a tool those in power use to maintain it, and a tool for those who want it. It relies on misconstruing or falsifying truth in order to incite anger and fear. Here are three primary forms of false information that are important for all of us to know. 

  • Misinformation: false or inaccurate information that is communicated regardless of an intention to deceive
  • Disinformation: false information deliberately and often covertly spread to influence public opinion or obscure the truth
  • Malinformation: information that is reality-based, but often taken out of context to inflict harm on a person, organization, or country

Each of these forms of communication leverage powerful, dominant narratives that spread across information and communication networks. These forms of false information are leveraged by powerful people to keep harmful systems of control that are rooted in white supremacy, like the death penalty and the prison industrial complex, as the status quo. These forms of communication have a harmful impact, and most often hurt Black and Brown communities.

Because propaganda is a marketing technique, some politicians and political campaigns will use disinformation tactics to sway voters.  Additionally, media outfits, lobbying organizations, and power groups like the Fraternal Order of Police use common techniques to advance an agenda that maintains a legal system that harms everyone it touches. By arming ourselves with knowledge about how misinformation, disinformation and malinformation work, we can look out for others in our community, and call out propaganda tactics when we see them.

In a follow-up piece, we’ll discuss specific narratives that some politicians will use to drive up fear in their voter base. First, here are a few strategies you may have already noticed already and can continue to look out for in the future: 

  • Bandwagon Strategy: The bandwagon method of propaganda capitalizes on the fear of missing out. It is a way to recognize other supporters, and fosters a sense of belonging. That’s why political campaigns give away signs and print t-shirts and sell hats, especially with patriotic colors.
  • Creating Scapegoats: Scapegoats are people or groups that are constructed to be the “enemy.” They are often unjustly blamed, demonized, and subsequently victimized by an outraged community. Some politicians will use scapegoating tactics to demonize black and brown people, poor people, immigrants, women, youth, trans people, people with disabilities, gangs, Jews, Palestinians, and other marginalized groups. Recently, politicians used racist dog whistles during the Covid-19 pandemic that directly led to a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans. 
  • Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt: Paranoia and fear are useful tools of the propagandists. Scare tactics are useful in driving voter bases away from the opposing candidate or position. Fear is an effective motivator, and it clouds judgment and inhibits the ability to make informed decisions.
  • Glittering Generalities: These vague words and phrases don’t have any substance. The words are emotionally charged to evoke positive feelings and gain approval from the audience. Former President Trump’s slogan, “Make America Great Again,” is an excellent example. How did the presidency intend to make America great? When was it last great? Similarly, President Biden’s slogan, Build Back Better also doesn’t say anything about what, who, or how, but it does rely on tropes that will appeal to many, and conjure a vision that’s both malleable and appeals to emotions. Both slogans appeal to the audience without having any details or facts. 

It’s important to remember that any political party can use propaganda. It’s not just the opponents you don’t like. It is a tool that any person, organization, or company can use. Furthermore, anyone can be swayed by propaganda, which is why being able to identify it will help us keep our communities safe. In the next piece, we’ll be discussing the impact on Black and Brown communities. In the meanwhile, you can read these links below to learn more about what was discussed here. 

Links for further reading: 

https://www.postalley.org/2021/02/14/propaganda-101-trumps-tools-of-the-trade/

https://www.propwatch.org/propaganda.php

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9168424/

https://www.counterpunch.org/2022/06/08/scapegoating-as-propaganda/

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/conspiracy-propagandists

https://newrepublic.com/article/144592/trump-creating-propaganda-state

https://classroom.synonym.com/what-are-the-seven-techniques-of-propaganda-12080912.html

https://themindcollection.com/propaganda-techniques/

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