Reflections on How Do We Build Safe(r) Communities?
How Do We Build Safe(r) Communities?
On May 16, 2022 we hosted a valuable conversation on what it means to create safer communities. Specifically, safer communities for racialized communities. On our panel were two thoughtful and caring community leaders.
Iftu Hargaaya (She/Her) with the Colour Factor
and Prudence Iticka with Black People United.
Principles of our Conversation
This conversation was prompted by Prudence after the death of Latjor Tuel by the Calgary Police Service. Reflecting on our cultural beliefs that police are not the only way to increase community safety, the conversation about communities of care began. Principles of our conversation were that:
Abolition is key
Who belongs and who’s safety is prioritized shouldn’t be determined by the police
Transformational justice is possible
Traditional Justice vs Restorative Justice
Restorative or transformative justice can help us reconsider what it means to understand justice. New systems of justice can reframe themes of accountability, expand the definition of who is the victim/offender and impact.
Traditional ‘Justice’ responds to harm by looking at:
What law has been broken
What does the criminal code say about what the punishment is
Who delivers consequences, judges and reinforces the binary of guilty vs not guilty
Restorative Justice responds to harm by looking at:
Who has been harmed and impacted
Identify what is the need
Who needs to make things ‘right’ and repair the harm
Community of Care
Identifies and highlights past harm
Humility - Knowing how you contribute to hurtful dynamics
Influence - What CAN you do?
The outcome of Community Care is a space where those who are feeling most marginalized can find refuge and safety.
“We have been sold a lie, this idea that we can’t keep ourselves safe without armed agents. ”
Pod Mapping
Iftu took us through a brief exercise to help us think about who we can think of when we’re feeling safe or when we would like to take accountability. You can learn more about Bay Area Transformational Justice.
Reflection on Pod Mapping
Tyson put together his own pod map, and shares his reflections on the exercise:
I had less people in my ‘pod’ than I initially thought.
One person overlapped with who I can call upon to feel safe and who can support me to remain accountable.
The resources identified are organizations that I can feel safe to express a need for accountability or release feelings of harm
