Standing in Solidarity with Calls for Racial Justice
Posted on June 2, 2020
I hope this newsletter finds you safe and healthy. We wanted to take some time to acknowledge all that’s been unfolding in our country over the last few weeks. I’d be lying if I said I’m finding it easy to come up with something meaningful or helpful to say. I’ve spent the morning waiting for something to come…..It’s been a struggle. What’s happening – the killing of innocent black people at the hands of those sworn to serve and protect - is unjust, fucked up and clearly showcases the overt racism black people and communities of color have experienced for decades.
Working in the prison system, we come face to face with injustices, racial hierarchy, dubious police practices, and the unfairness of the system. That’s not an easy place to dwell. Some days, I can walk out of prison feeling frustrated and helpless, but mostly I feel hopeful and blown away by the resilience and humanity of the people we work with.
As an organization we are committed to continuing our work of supporting all those affected by the criminal justice system and those who have been traditionally marginalized to live fulfilling prison-free lives, out of the cycle of repeated incarceration. As Former President Barack Obama said:
“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek”.
Systems are made up of individuals, individuals that have the power to change. In helping people affected by the criminal justice system wake up to their true worth and their potential, we start to change the system. One by one, people with a new and healthy mindset gain power and agency that contributes to systems-wide change.
While we are committed to continuing this work, we also acknowledge we must step up to the plate to do even more around racial justice. Here’s a glimpse of some of the actions we’re taking at The Insight Alliance:
Building alliances with other organizations who are doing meaningful social justice work in the community such as the Oregon Justice Resource Center and Liberation Literacy.
Developing an equity, diversity and inclusion framework for our organization that is actionable and will address all aspects of our work, from our programs to our hiring practices.
Amplifying the voices of our program participants and teachers of color. Stay tuned for new webinars that we’ll be posting on our website: theinsightalliance.org/webinar-series.
Creating a foundation series that will bring our programming to prison staff and police officers.
We are also open to any ideas you, our community, have to share with us.
The events of the past few weeks break my heart and have me sitting upright in my chair, listening more deeply. And, ready to roll up my sleeves and work harder to help end racial inequality, not just in prisons but in our community at large. It is not just about what I say here, it’s about what we do. How is The Insight Alliance “being the change we want to see in the world?”
In solidarity,
Anna Debenham, Founder & Director
#SayTheirNames
David McAtee.
George Floyd.
Breonna Taylor.
Ahmaud Arbery.
Eric Garner.
Trayvon Martin.
Terence Crutcher.
Tamir Rice.
Mike Brown.
Freddie Gray.
Philando Castille.
Alton Sterling.
Walter Scott.
Sandra Bland.
Rekia Boyd.
Amadou Diallo.
Antonio Martin.
Jamar Clark.
Aiyana Jones.
Korryn Gaines.
Akai Gurley.
THE LIST GOES ON AND IT MUST STOP!! #NoJusticeNoPeace
Articles and Resources for Action
A Timeline of Events That Led to the 2020 'Fed Up'-rising by Michael Harriot. Published on The Root on May 30, 2020.
Anguish and Action. The Obama Foundation.
Black Lives Matter Portland.
Black Resilience Fund for Black Portlanders. Organized by Cameron Whitten.
Official George Floyd Memorial Fund. Organized by Philonise Floyd.
Anti-racism Resources. Document compiled by Sarah Sophie Flicker and Alyssa Klein in May 2020.
75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice. By Corinne Shutack. Published on Medium.com on August 13, 2017.