Category Archives: reconciliation

Evangelical Leader Offers a Hopeful View of Interfaith Dialog and Solving Global Problems

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Unfortunately, religious zealotry often fuels the fires of conflict around the world. In a refreshing counterpoint to this reality, the Rev. Richard Cizik offers an optimistic assessment of the role of religious leaders and faith communities in forging peace through understanding.

Ultimately, interfaith dialogue is about reaching common ground to solve the world’s problems, says the Rev. Richard Cizik, of The New Evangelical Partnership for the Common Good, and throughout the world religious leaders and religious communities can be seen leading the way.

http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/0_4mmsgm8e/uiconf_id/48501

After long silence…back with a word from Alice Walker

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Friends of Fairnessworks, I apologize for my long absence from my own blog.  Absorbing and processing the rich experiences of the 3rd National Conference on Restorative Justice has left my mind buzzing and my heart full.  I promise to be back in the rhythm of regular postings very soon.

Native Georgia writer and activist Alice Walker

Alice Walker tells, "Why I'm Sailing to Gaza"

Thanks to Amy, a friend from my past, I heard about writer Alice Walker’s first-person piece on cnn.com about her planned trip to Gaza, as a participant in Freedom Flotilla II.  I agree with my friend that this is a good fit for Fairnessworks, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to you.

The Healing Power of Storytelling in Sudan: Another Gem from Odyssey Networks

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Milcah Lalam is a peace building development specialist who serves in war-torn countries, focusing on the devastating trauma of war. She specializes in helping victims of rape and abuse, women, children and the many people who are displaced by endless war in their homelands.

In her work with RECONCILE International (Resource Centre for Civil Leadership), she helps survivors of a wide range of war-related trauma work toward healing through the process of storytelling, whether through words, drama or visual arts. Listen as she describes an example of reconciliation and the reunification of a family, even after the attempted murder of a husband by his enraged wife.

http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/0_nkrnen0f/uiconf_id/48501

Click here to subscribe to Odyssey Networks, a multi-faith media coalition.

‘Beyond Prisons’ shines a light on alternatives to prison

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For anyone interested in alternatives to prison — as in, something other than “lock ‘em up and throw away the key” — there’s a gold mine of information and insight into the criminal justice system in the current issue of … Continue reading →

A Restorative Justice Success Story from the U.K.

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Another day, another restoration.

Saturday’s issue of The Guardian features an interview (<— it’s important that you click here) with a crime victim and the chemically-dependent man who burglarized her home. As the reporter points out, this interview occurred after both parties had participated in Restorative Justice processes. Although victim-offender conferences are a central part of the process, the peacemaking circle at the heart of the process is much more comprehensive and intensive, involving family members, representatives of the local community and the justice system.

The fact that this Guardian interview could take place at all is testament to the successful outcomes available through restorative processes.

Picture of UK success in Restorative Justice

Reggie and Kathleen (who didn’t want to give her surname). Photograph: David Sillitoe for the Guardian

In the U.K., the Ministry of Justice is in the midst of major reforms. One of those reforms will be an increased reliance on restorative principles. A Green Paper focusing on addiction quotes a former inmate describing his experience with the process:

“I was in prison waiting to be sentenced. I was asked to meet some people face-to-face who I had burgled to get money for drugs. I only did it to get out of the cell for an hour, I thought it would be easy. But it was different. When you hear about the damage you have done, when you feel the harm you have caused, you have to be a very, very bitter and twisted person for this not to affect you. I have had easier days at the Old Bailey.”

Peter Woolf, rehabilitated repeat offender in testimony to the Centre for Social Justice

“Old Bailey” is the Central Criminal Court in England, named for the street in which it stands. It is a court building in central London, one of a number of buildings housing the Crown Court. The Crown Court sitting at the Central Criminal Court deals with major criminal cases from Greater London and, in exceptional cases, from other parts of England and Wales.

In a terse summation of the case for reform, the authors of the Green Paper conclude:

“Restorative Justice is over-researched and under-utilised. It is proven to be highly effective in increasing victim satisfaction levels and reducing . . . re-offending. To begin to put rehabilitation at the heart of the prison system we will introduce Restorative Justice Conferences to enhance justice for victims and begin the process of life change for prisoners.”

Peacemaking within and among the faith traditions

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Some of the most intense conflicts involve clashes between and within religions and faith traditions.

Rabbi Irwin Kula talks here about the internal conflicts within the various traditions, especially the conflict between “Traditionalists and Modernists,” and he points out the ways in which both sides bring important values to the conflict. Does it seem to you that we become so invested in the correctness of our own positions that we are blinded to the wisdom expressed by the people “on the other side”?

Each tradition — especially Christianity, Islam and Judaism — is torn by these internal conflicts. Often, the Traditionalists and the Modernists (which I understand to be the LIberals) fear the worst from each other. Too often, our worst expectations of the “other side” keep us from seeing God in those whom we consider our opponents. I speak from the point of view of a progressive — yes, a Liberal — and I have a hard time letting go of my fears about the most extreme positions of the Traditionalists. Yet, I am fairly sure the Traditionalists harbor the same fears about my own committed camp.

This is not a post asking anyone to abandon beliefs authentically held. But it is an appeal to honor the validity of the views of those across the table from us. (That’s assuming we are at the table at all!) I also speak from the position of someone whose tradition brings people of diverse views to a common table every Sunday.  Week after week, we are challenged to break bread with people whose political and religious views may differ radically from our own. Millions of us address that dilemma by choosing to participate in homogeneous congregations where our own views are reaffirmed. This is easier than deliberately putting ourselves in positions where our most deeply held convictions might be challenged. By choosing a homogeneous community, It’s especially hard to allow diversity within our own home communities, isn’t it?

I mean, there’s diversity and then, well, there’s “diversity.” As I seek my own comfort level, I hope to be challenged, week after week, to expand my vision and notions of WHO deserves a place at “MY” table. To do this, I need a community which shares a commitment to this most difficult form of diversty, this most radical inclusiveness. Rabbi Kula points me in that direction, I think.

Many of the readers of this blog are firmly committed to finding common ground. I know this because of the many private emails I receive. Yet, because of fears of rejection, or concerns about being flamed, they are reluctant to enter into a common discussion. Until we can intentionally engage in that common discussion, without attacks or abuse, we remain isolated readers and atomized individuals withholding ourselves from community, or so it seems to me.

You may see this very differently. Your comments here are welcome, so long as they are respectful of a range of personal views. Please comment.

“Bully” Helps Middle Schoolers Confront School Violence

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Matthew Kuehlhorn

You might not think of a middle school counselor as a “seat-of-the-pants peacemaker.”  If your child is facing daily bullying, you might see him in a different light.  If your child is withdrawing from life, suddenly uncommunicative, maybe you think about talking to the school administration.  If you are lucky, you will find someone like Matthew Kuehlhorn.

Matthew Kuehlhorn is a Colorado middle school counselor who is passionate about helping create a community of care in schools.  He is exploring ways of implementing Restorative Justice methods in his workplace — your child’s school.  At my invitation, he submitted the following.  Recent postings in fairnessworks.p1r8.net have featured examples of programs which implement restorative, peacemaking methods.  Matthew’s efforts are a timely example of what an individual can do to help create peace.

Matthew is passionate about a graphic novel entitled, Bully.  I hope you will check this out and find ways to implement his peacemaking passions into your own local school.

Bully is an educational illustrated novel.

An illustrated novel

The book is designed to “Ignite the Voice Within” classroom, as he terms it.  Bully is an illustrated novel that teaches relationship building skills and introduces restorative justice practices and theory.

Bully is an amazing story where characters talk directly to middle school readers. The story is emotionally charged and very real for students in today’s classrooms.

After speaking with an educator who used this book in individual sessions, Matthew says, she remarked:

“I have had readers tell me that they have not finished a book in five years. They love this book and have a high interest in finishing it. The book offers great conversation topics which can affect student behavior in our school–for the better!”

Students report this book being like “real life” and the feedback has been amazing.

Bully is 130 pages, which are broken into five sections with “Ignite Now” lessons offered.  Lessons teach:  how to listen, how to tell our story so it gets heard, how to feel empathy, and the book concludes with introducing talking circles and restorative justice.

The book is authored by Teresa Milbrodt, a published short story author and Creative Writing Professor at Western State College of Colorado.  Compelling illustrations were created by Nathan Kubes, a freelance artist, also in Gunnison, CO.

What other people say about Bully:

“I had students, who had not finished a book in years, unable to put this book down.”
Middle School English Teacher

“This is like Real Life”
7th Grade Student

“I recommend this book for students, parents, teachers, counselors, administrators and those people interested in education.”
Dr. Tom Cavanagh

Dr. Tom Cavanagh

 

Dr. Cavanagh, whose current focus is on creating a “Culture of Care” in schools,  has published a review of Bully which can be viewed at:

http://restorativepracticesinschools.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-book-addresses-bullying.html

If you are a school teacher or counselor, and have ideas about reaching the potential peacemakers in your local community, please share your comments below.  I’d suggest this mental exercise:  what Google searches would your students’ parents enter to find help for their concerns troubled teens?

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Forgiveness and Restoration Are Real: An Easter Message of Hope from Rwanda

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The main focus of this blog is on local applications of peacemaking, with a special focus on examples of Restorative Justice (RJ).  My goal with this blog is to connect “seat-of-the-pants peacemakers” with groups and individuals who are a few steps further along the path of making peace and are bringing restoration to people harmed by crimes, including the victims and the offenders .

Sometimes, however, successful reconciliation happens in the most unlikely situations, where all human perceptions would tell us no peaceful solution is possible, no forgiveness likely.  For those of us who observe Resurrection Sunday (“Easter”), these successes have to remain at the center of our focus, and we just have to celebrate them when they happen.  (But, let’s face it, it is hard to find any major world religion that does not seek peace, reconciliation and forgiveness, despite the egregious actions of the extremists in their/our midst.)

Reconciliation Village, Musanze, Rwanda. Forgiveness is lived out daily in rebuilding community.

When we watched the horror of the Rwanda genocide in 1994, any hopes of reconciliation seemed impossible.  But Prison Fellowship International looked with the eyes of faith on the overwhelming brutality, and they set about doing the difficult work of putting their faith and forgiveness into practice.  So, in the ruins of the scene of some of the most brutal genocide, in the village of Musanze, Rwanda, and in five other decimated villages, Prison Fellowship International created “Reconciliation Village.”  Here, forgiveness is lived out in rebuilding community.  [Editor's Note: Click for a look at forgiveness in Uganda.

Today, dozens of former murderers and brutalizers live side-by-side with their victims, in harmony.

"Residents of the 182 homes that make-up the village of Musanze, Rwanda, work as one to grow crops and tend to livestock. The village’s community spirit may not seem unusual until you learn that within this small community live both convicted perpetrators and surviving victims of the 1994 genocide."

Map of Rwanda, Africa

The story of this seemingly impossible reconciliation is available at this link.  For anyone who doubts that reconciliation and forgiveness are unachievable, unattainable, I highly recommend this link:

http://www.pfi.org/media-and-news/news/rebuilding-in-the-aftermath-of-destruction

Read this story, and tell me we can’t address bullying and domestic abuse in the “Developed World.”  A Christian scripture reference comes to mind:  ”Go thou and do likewise.”  (If you have sacred scripture to share, select “Comment” below and share it.

But, before doing that, ponder this image:

Young boy, a victim of the Rwanda genocide. Few would have thought forgiveness possible.

 

 

 

 

 

In Colorado: Crime Victims’ Right to Know Restorative Justice is Available

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Restorative Justice legislation is moving ahead in the Colorado Legislature, in the form of  HB-11-1032.

It acknowledges a crime victim’s right to know about restorative justice, and to choose to participate in restorative process.

This legislation is being carried forward by Colorado State Rep. Pete Lee (reppete@gmail.com)

(If the link above does not work, copy and paste this link into your browser:  http://www.leg.state.co.us/clics/clics2011a/csl.nsf/fsbillcont/
D9ABC2E028CA4D3487257808008012EA?Open&file=1032_ren.pdf)

Isn’t it worth a few keystrokes to send Rep. Lee a message of support?  Is this some news you could tweet or repost?  How hard is that?

Special thanks to Lisa Rea.

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RJ Peacemakers: Time to Show Your Stuff

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Kris Miner, exhibit coordinator of the conference, has released exhibit booth information for the upcoming 3rd National Conference on Restorative Justice, June 8-10 in Raleigh, NC. Deadline for receiving your signed contract and full payment is coming up soon:  May 14, 2011.

Conference information will be continuously updated on the event’s website.  Prospective exhibitors may call Kris directly at 715-425-1100, or email her at the St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program,  scvrjp@gmail.com.

“The …Conference…offers outreach and access to key decision makers and restorative justice leaders.  Hours have been reserved exclusively for the viewing of exhibits, giving your organization to networking opportunities.  The exhibit area will be a ‘display of goods’ relevant to Restorative Justice.

Attendees will be exploring the ways in which RJ practices and principles can may used to meet local needs, including those outside the justice system.