Film screening and discussion addressed restorative and healing justice

The Dispute Resolution Center (DRC) and the Friends of Restorative Justice (FORJ) hosted an Oct. 25 film screening of the documentary “Healing Justice,” followed by a panel discussion on how restorative approaches can help victims and offenders on a path toward healing and reconciliation. The event, which attracted 150 community members, was held at the Washtenaw Community College Morris Lawrence Building.

The evening was opened by the DRC’s Executive Director, Belinda Dulin, who introduced panelists, The Honorable Judge Carol Kuhnke, Washtenaw County Chief Judge Pro Tem of the Trial Court; Debra Wright, LMSW, Home of New Vision; and the keynote speaker, Dr. Reuben Miller, an associate professor at the University of Chicago,

All three shared their perspectives on how they recognize the importance of restorative practices, particularly as early intervention for juveniles.

Judge Kuhnke said, “I have great hope for what Peacemaking Courts and what restorative justice models can do for juveniles that helps them better understand the impact of their actions on their communities.”

Debra Wright shared her experiences of being affected by childhood trauma and how that impacted the direction of her life as she struggled with substance abuse and went in and out of prison. “I wonder what my life would’ve been like if someone could’ve intervened at some point at an earlier age for me and told me not to go down that path.  I think by the time I got to adult court I was too far gone. I was angry, I was hurt, and I was just reactive with my feelings,” said Wright.

Miller highlighted the intersectionality of socioeconomic and racial factors that contribute to the disproportionally high numbers of incarcerated African-Americans, as well as the institutions that perpetuate and maintain these inequities. “If we only think about what the incarcerated state controls, we might miss what it produces in its wake,” said Miller, who continued to stress a need for more restorative and rehabilitative practices.

The panel discussion included Miller, Kuhnke, Washtenaw County Racial Equity Analyst Anna Lemler, and DaQuann Harrison, National Youth Empowerment Speaker, member of the Michigan Committee on Juvenile Justice, United Nations Youth Delegate, Federal Liaison for the State of Michigan (Dignity in Schools Campaign).

For more information, email Germaine Smith, smithger@washtenaw.org. To view the discussion, visit Youtube channel: thedrca2.