I learned a lot from that work. I learned first hand about racism and what is often referred to as institutional racism. Restorative justice often is not offered as a way of responding to racism or racial violence but RJI thinks it should not be ignored at this time.
Wherever violence occurs a community’s response must be one of recognizing and responding to the following questons: 1) who has been injured? 2) who is responsible? 3) can the victim or the victim’s family be restored as much as possible? 4) how can the peace (or shalom) return after violence has shattered it? and 5) how can the offender be held responsible to make things right?
If we look at the killing of Michael Brown through these lenses the community of Ferguson can move forward. Can restorative justice be applied? Does the justice system allow for these types of responses to violence?
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