Topic: Restorative Justice
Date: October 5th, 2021
3 big takeaways:
- Restorative Justice is built on the foundation of relationship. This means that all involved must be committed to create a system of beliefs and own them. This type of relationship is what creates/promotes a social just climate in the classroom and schools. Restorative justice sends the message that educators care, it teaches students real life skills, and gives them the incentive to own their mistakes and repair them.
- “Moving away from simple kindness and toward real justice begins with building an identity-safe classroom: a place where everyone’s story is not only recognized but honored, studied, loved” (Turner, 2010, pp. 3), this should be the daily culture in schools and classrooms.
“Healing that lies at the heart of restorative practices must include healing the wounds from the kinds of miseducation that oppress children and teachers alike” (Ruin, 2014, pp.10): Many of society’s problems began through education so what better way to fix things than through the education system and the hearts and minds of children, so while restorative justice may take time/commitment, energy, and money, it is an investment that essential in healing and repairing our society and relationships within it.
2 Connections:
- In the video, Diane Gossen talks about helping students get to the root of their problems and misbehaviour through restorative justice practices, which is an Indigenous concept we are now opening up to accepting…Seems we have finally come full circle (also a part of Indigenous beliefs) in incorporating their beliefs rather than think we (hegemonic society), know better or the ‘right’ way…I just wished it didn’t take so long and at the expense of so many Indigenous people, especially children.
Restorative just requires change and “change requires a real understanding of what injustice looks like – and a plan to combat it” (Ruin, 2014). This quote stood out to me because it got me thinking about the concept behind Truth and Reconciliation. Telling/hearing/knowing/understanding the truth of our history and injustice to Indigenous people (understanding injustice) in order to reconcile our relationships and the wrongs/harm that was done to them (a plan to combat it)…the two are the same which I guess they both are rooted in Indigenous ways, but nonetheless, both things are required in order to heal and move on, we can’t do one (move on/reconcile) without the other (the truth/understanding injustice).
1 question: The articles all seemed to comment on how much time/commitment, energy, and money it takes to change from the current, punishment/discipline system to a restorative justice system, because of this many schools/boards are hesitant to incorporate/change, so I am wondering…could it work if just one classroom were to incorporate it? Would it still be effective?