I resonated with Natasha. Both of us were looking for different narratives introducing us to alternative ways of being, including the diversity in Euro-American countries, which are equally culturally vibrant. To move away from the single narratives, she grew up on and introduce readers to the pluralities in histories and cultures, Natasha started writing children’s books on Jamaica. ‘This book is a beginning, to encourage other authors of colour to write, to tell different stories, introduce new voices and celebrate diversity.'
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Moving beyond single narratives: Listening to silenced voices
Oct 24, 2023
Moving beyond single narratives: Listening to silenced voices
A blog written by Upasana Rajagopalan, an RJ4All Volunteer and a former member of the RJ4All Youth Management Board.
A vibrant world of Black Culture
With the fervor of Black History Month underpinning London life, it is an exciting time to be involved with the many activities and events taking place to recognise, acknowledge and raise awareness about black lives and diverse ways of being. When I walked into the Black cultural market in Brixton on a Saturday morning, I was fully prepared for an encounter with new narratives, ideas, art, and culture that would expand my perspective on identities and nations and broaden my understanding of the world around me.
Challenging single narratives
I stopped at the book stall. The book covers were vibrant and colourful with images of black women and men, and maps of different African countries. This felt different and new, making me pause to think of the absence of these books around me.
All throughout my childhood I was exposed to Euro-American authors. Blonde hair and blue-eyed characters would bake scones, pluck apples, play in the snow and had dogs named Charlie. I loved these stories, they took me to worlds that were new to me, introducing me to different names, faces, places and words. But that was all I was ever exposed to. In school and college, sociological theories, psychological frameworks and therapeutic models were largely Western, taking me along the same path, with the same story. While my passion for the arts and humanities was only strengthened, somewhere at the back of my mind there was a constant murmur. A voice compelling me to look beyond these stories (Adichie, 2009).
‘I always felt that I looked so different from the characters in the story,’ said Natasha, author of one of the books at the bookstall. Born and brought up in London to Jamaican immigrant parents, Natasha grew up reading British authors. While she is British and connects with the culture, she was always looking for answers to her identity. ‘What is Jamaica like? Why do I never read about it in stories? I had so many questions,’ she said.
Power and empowerment
Underlying the celebration of Black History Month and the narration of stories, is the idea of power. Black voices have been silenced for decades because of dominant power structures. One set of actors were in a position to dictate who deserves basic rights, whose voice matters and who continues being in a position of authority over others (Carty-Williams, 2020). Some stories are silenced and marginalised, while others continue to shape knowledge and life worlds.
To address this power imbalance and create more equitable spaces for voices to flourish, initiatives like Natasha’s help in reclaiming silenced histories and untold stories. It empowers and humanises black culture and people to break free of the years of disrespect and rejection. The very possibility of owning one’s story and having the ability to freely write, speak and publish is often beyond the imagination of these communities, a distant dream. ‘Even if I write children’s stories, they are powerful,’ said Natasha. A whole new generation of young people exposed to these narratives will be sensitised towards diversity and inclusion and accept and respect cultural differences.
Beyond Black History Month: Transcending Hope
I walked back home, deeply reflecting on all the authors and stories I had missed out on. But equally, I left with a sense of hope and liberation. The Black History Month had opened a window of opportunity to people like Natasha who wanted to initiate change and make a difference to the everyday realities of communities. A single story can be powerful, but multiple, plural and diverse stories are empowering and liberating. I only hope this ethos continues and we continue to engage with alternative histories beyond the Black History Month, because that is the journey to meaningful change.
At RJ4All, where I am currently doing my internship, our mission is to strengthen equality, diversity, and foster community cohesion through
the
transformative potential of restorative justice.
We hold a deep belief in and reverence for every individual's capacity, dignity, and aspirations. We invite you to
become part of
our global restorative justice movement, working together for a fair and just world.
References
- Carty-Williams, C. (2020). Publishers want more black authors. Why have they silenced us for so long? The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jun/11/publishers-want-more-black-authors-why-have-they-silenced-us-for-so-long
- Chimamanda, A. (2009). The danger of a single story. (video). TED Talk. https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story.
- Indira, R. (2020). Lending voices to the marginalised: the power of narratives as alternative sociological discourses, 69(1), 7-16. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epub/10.1177/0038022919898999
Joint Advocacy Letter: Inclusion of Restorative Justice in the Victims & Prisoners Bill
Cllr Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, LBS Cc Althea Loderick, CEO of Southwark Council Neil Coyle, MP Caroline Thwaites, Assistant Director for Community Safety & Partnerships, LBS Cllr, Nick Johnson, Surrey Docs Ward Cllr Cryan Stephanie, Rotherhithe Ward Cllr Ennin: 4th Feb 2024 Open letter: Invitation to a restorative justice dialogue Thank you for meeting the RJ4All International Institute on 25th January to discuss our programme of building in Southwark the world’s first restorative justice postcode. This open letter aims to provide you with some feedback on our meeting, which I found extremely discouraging and to some extent disrespectful of the hard work that RJ4All and our local community is putting in addressing the root causes that lead to community tensions and poverty in the borough. I have learned when I see conflict to expose it and try to address it by looking at the harm caused, and not the individuals involved. Rest assured that the intention of this letter is neither accusatory nor defensive, and we have our 10-year legacy to evidence our collaborative approach and constructive relationships with local, regional and national governments. We acknowledge the LA’s hard work and investment to address persistent inequalities and make the borough a safe place for all. It is within this spirit that I write, and offer a restorative justice way forward. Read the full letter
London, Jan 20, 2024: Today, an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill was tabled to introduce a “victims’ right to restorative justice". Working closely with the office of Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, RJ4All submitted evidence for legislative changes. This is the first of many others that are expected to be published on Monday.
The Victims Bill, the Rwanda Bill and the post office miscarriages of justice: What do they have in common?
The biggest gathering of advocates of restorative justice, transformative justice, and innovative legal practices is just around the corner! Practitioners, researchers, academics and a multitude of esteemed colleagues will live an unforgettable experience at the upcoming Justice Innovation Summit, set against the backdrop of the tropical paradise of Honolulu, Hawaii, from February 16 to 19, 2024. This groundbreaking event promises to be the biggest celebration of restorative justice worldwide and our Founder and Director, Dr. Theo Gavrielides could not miss such an important call! Exploring the Intersections The summit is a convergence of Restorative Justice, Transformative Justice, Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Transitional Justice, Victimology, and Indigenous Peacemaking. By delving into these diverse fields, the conference aims to answer crucial questions about how these practices intersect and contribute to improved access to justice for individuals and communities around the globe. Addressing Key Questions Interconnectedness: How do these justice approaches intersect, and how can they collectively enhance access to justice? Effective Applications: What are the most effective applications of these strategies in schools, corrections, child and family services, domestic violence, violence against women, and building peaceful communities? Collaboration: How can these justice innovations collaboratively work at both institutional and systemic levels to create lasting change? Tentative Schedule of Events Thursday, February 15th, 2024: Restorative Justice in Hawaii Legislative Briefing @ The Hawaii State Capitol (free & open to the public) Friday, February 16th, 2024, 9 am-3 pm: Pre-Conference Training Workshops (additional registration fee) Protecting the Environment with Restorative and other Justice Innovations Huikahi Reentry Planning Circles for Incarcerated People & their Loved Ones School K-12 RJ Practices and Experiences How to Build a Successful Restorative/Social Justice Organization Indigenous People’s Justice Practices Family Group Conferencing for Children and Families Restorative Justice for Addressing Domestic Violence & Violence Against Women Friday, February 16th, 2024: 4 pm: Opening Summit Ceremony , meet & greet with pupu and beverages Saturday, February 17th, 2024: 8 am: Doors Open – Registration packet pickup and continental breakfast 9 am: Welcome & Summit Orientation 10 am: Dorothy Roberts Keynote on Justice Innovations 1 pm: Innovative Impacts Shared from Sessions 3:15 pm: Roundtable Panel Discussion of Innovations 5:30-8 pm: Hawaiian Dinner (additional fee, pre-registration) Sunday, February 18th, 2024: 8 am: Doors Open – Continental Breakfast 9 am: Welcome Daily Orientation Keynote Presentation/Panel 1 pm: Innovative Impacts Shared from Sessions 3:15 pm: Roundtable Panel Discussion of Innovations 5:30-8 pm: HFRJ hosted Dinner for all Summit Participants Monday, February 19th, 2024 (President’s Day Holiday): 9 am: Doors Open – Continental Breakfast 10 am-2 pm: Hawaiian history of justice concepts and initiatives , Indigenous Panel Discussion, and creative cultural expressions. RJ4All's Involvement We are thrilled to announce that RJ4All is actively involved in organising this momentous summit, contributing to the global celebration of the transformative power of restorative justice. Stay tuned during the summit days as RJ4All will be publishing frequent updates on our progress and sharing interesting insights with our followers! Our Founder and Director, Dr. Theo Gavrielides, will be there as a keynote speaker, adding his expertise to this incredible gathering. Save the dates, mark your calendars, and get ready to be part of this historic event. For more information on the summit, visit Justice Innovations Summit . See you in Hawaii!
The RJ4All International Institute is delighted to share the news that we have been selected to receive funding from The Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.
The ‘Community Champion Award’ was designed for the 10th anniversary of RJ4All to recognise the people who have made an outstanding contribution to our community at RJ4All. We want to celebrate the unsung heroes whose volunteering efforts have had a positive impact on their wider community.
London, December 12th – The Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4All) proudly marks ten years of pioneering transformative change through the application of restorative justice principles.
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