Our communities have many ways of dealing with people who have done harm. But how do we effectively respond when harm is perpetrated by those closest to us in our movements–with whom we have enduring relationships and continue to partner? These challenges within our communities and workplaces can splinter and divide us without thoughtful navigation and repair. Learn about the fundamentals of Transformative Justice and how you can apply some of its principles when conflict roosts in your nest.
Presenter Biography
Crystal Middlestadt (they/them) is a dynamic and skilled leader, facilitator, and practitioner with over 20 years of experience with anti-violence organizing, transformative justice, gender justice, and social justice philanthropy. Their framework for transformative justice and community safety is rooted in their experiences as a queer, non-binary, mixed race Asian person and their years of training and mentorship with Nadia Telsey, co-author of Get Empowered: A Practical Guide to Thrive, Heal, and Embrace Your Confidence in a Sexist World. Crystal is nationally recognized for championing BIPOC-led movements, social justice philanthropy, and LGBTQ+ anti-violence initiatives. They have provided instruction to thousands through the groups such as the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs and Survivors Organizing for Liberation. Crystal lives in Denver, Colorado and serves as the executive director for Chinook Fund, a community foundation that seeds community-led, systemic change by mobilizing resources for and trusting in grassroots social justice organizations across Colorado.
Further Reading
- Everyday Practices of Transformative Justice, YouTube video [14 min clip]
- Navigating Conflict with Kazu Haga Find our way Podcast [13 min clip 7:40-20:30 Finding Our Way podcast ep. 7:], Podcast Clip
- Survival as Transformative Justice, Magazine Article by adrienne maree brown & Autumn Brown in Yes Magazine[5 min read]
- Transform Harm, Resource Hub
- Interrupting Criminalization, Transformative Justice Help Desk
- funPhilly Stands Up, a group primarily working with people who have caused harm article
- Building Accountable Communities video series (includes the video shown today)
- Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement, Ejeris Dixon (Editor); Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha (Editor)
- Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds, by adrienne maree brown
- Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation, by adrienne maree brown
- Practicing New Worlds: Abolition and Emergent Strategies, Andrea J. Ritchie (Author); Alexis Pauline Gumbs (Foreword); adrienne maree brown (Introduction)
- We Will Not Cancel Us: And Other Dreams of Transformative Justice, by adrienne maree brown
- Fumbling Towards Repair: A Workbook for Community Accountability Facilitators, by Mariame Kaba and Shira Hassan
- In It Together: A Framework for Conflict Transformation in Movement-Building Groups, Workbook
- Turning Towards Each Other: A Conflict Workbook, by Weyam Ghadbian and Jovida Ross
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