A city’s commitment to understanding trauma to prevent violence

Protesters gather in Newark, New Jersey. June 2020. Image by Kalani Mackson [https://www.afrolombian.com/a-fight-for-change]

Reimagining Justice This Month | February 2021 Reimagining Justice This Month highlights stories about effective responses to violence – responses that disrupt cycles of violence, heal trauma, and address structural racism. Evaluation Reports Newark Community Street Team’s Efforts are Effective in Crime Reduction, TAPintoNewark Few cities have done as much as Newark, NJ, to think… Continue reading A city’s commitment to understanding trauma to prevent violence

Infographic: Findings from year one of EJUSA’s Police/Community Initiative

In 2016 – the first year of our Police/Community Initiative – EJUSA trained almost 50 police officers and even more community members on trauma-informed responses to violence. This new infographic outlines the process and some of the findings and recommendations.

Lynching, Trauma, and Philando Castile

Valerie Castile (Philando’s mother) speaking outside the Ramsey County Courthouse in St Paul, MN after a not guilty verdict was reached in the trial of Officer Jeronimo Yanez in the killing of Philando Castile last July. Photo Credit: Lorie Shaull" width="980" height="513" /> Valerie Castile (Philando’s mother) speaking outside the Ramsey County Courthouse in St Paul, MN after a not guilty verdict was reached in the trial of Officer Jeronimo Yanez in the killing of Philando Castile last July. Photo Credit: Lorie Shaull

Last week, the Equal Justice Initiative and Google launched Lynching in America, a powerful collection of personal stories and extensive research on more than 4,000 lynchings of black Americans in the 19th and 20th centuries. I was reading through the heartbreaking site on Friday when a news alert came on my phone: the police officer who… Continue reading Lynching, Trauma, and Philando Castile

Racist hate mail a reminder of the death penalty’s true colors

Last month, an African American prosecutor in central Florida received an especially disturbing piece of hate mail: a racist note and a noose. The prosecutor, State Attorney Aramis Ayala, made national news earlier this year when she announced she would not seek the death penalty in future cases. Her constituents broadly supported the decision, and… Continue reading Racist hate mail a reminder of the death penalty’s true colors

I’ve heard from so many people

My first year and a half at EJUSA has been incredibly rewarding. I’m so grateful to be part of a team of such caring people who fight so hard and so courageously to advance justice in our nation. And I’m so grateful to you, our true partners in justice, who fight right alongside us and… Continue reading I’ve heard from so many people

Newark community and police come together to explore trauma-informed responses to violence

The trauma of police-involved shootings and slain police officers has spurred national and local dialogue, including about racial justice, historical trauma, public safety, police accountability, and much more. This fall, EJUSA’s Trauma Advocacy Program spearheaded a new project to help facilitate even more dialogue – and develop solutions – in Newark, New Jersey. “Trauma-Informed Responses… Continue reading Newark community and police come together to explore trauma-informed responses to violence

The death penalty’s role in racial oppression

Race has played a disturbing role in the death penalty’s application throughout its long history in the United States. During slavery, this discrimination was explicitly written in many states’ laws. Blacks and slaves faced the death penalty in cases where the same crime committed by a white person would not even be eligible for death.… Continue reading The death penalty’s role in racial oppression