On February 28, Barbie Jackson and Shel Gross were given the opportunity to have a table at the Madison Metropolitan School District’s Youth Restorative Justice (RJ) Summit. At that table, they invited youth to respond to this question: What do you want the community to know about RJ? Here’s what the youth said:
Youth (teens) are leaders and facilitators.
RJ helps with voicing opinions.
RJ is a very welcoming place!
RJ is a learning experience.
Everyone should be understood.
Everyone belongs in and with RJ.
RJ is a good way to work things out.
RJ provides a safe place.
RJ is about communication, not just about punishment and taking sides.
Resolving conflict peacefully is a very helpful and essential part of school.
There is no right or wrong way to contribute to restoring justice. If you show up and put in the work, self-reflect, and practice kindness, you are doing enough.
RJ is learning about yourself, to better understand the world around you and how it affects you.
RJ works not only to resolve conflict, but to create family and community.
RJ is not just confined to a room, but incorporated through every day and action.
Everyone should be respectful!
RJ is like family to me, and it is very transformative.
RJ is so cool!
RJ is about beliefs, mindsets, and values as much as it is about practice.
RJ can be different for everyone.
RJ includes all genders, races, and identities.