04/29/2012
Yesterday's Restorative Justice Book Club was more of a free flowing conversation, than a discussion of Zehr's book, in which we all shared life experiences that illuminated the principles and practices in Howard Zehr's book. I loved it! There were two main themes: RJ with your neighbors and RJ in Uganda. Dale Herman, who has been involved in reconciliation work in Uganda through the Mennonite Church, shared several amazing stories of his time there. His stories illustrated what it was like to live in a country in which Restorative Justice is integrated into how society approaches harms and wrong-doing. Fascinating. We also focused on neighborhoods and how RJ can be used in Neighborhood Watch situations and how neighborhood listserves provide an opportunity to share RJ principles and use RJ informed approaches to handling crime or wrong-doing. This was so exciting because it opened up an arena in which we can all start practicing RJ today on the micro level. Silvia Thompson shared that in Texas she lived for seven years in one complex and only knew one neighbor. We know that RJ helps build community, so how can we start using the principles to connect to the people who are iving right around us? I loved the Book Club and look forward to more opportunities for these kinds of conversations in which we share our life experiences and reflect on how Restorative Justice can be woven into our everyday life. Hey, check out Mali Rowan's website, she has posted several interesting interviews with RJ practictioners. I enjoyed listening to Kay Pranis being interviewed my Mali Rowan. Best wishes, Amy Elliott