Actors, essayists and bullies

November 27, 2012

SJN’s first two articles today venture into the creative pursuits, the first in theatre and the second in essay writing.  SJN offers a Winnipeg Free Press review of Tough Case currently performing in Winnipeg and then a young person’s essay/reflection on RJ and trouble with the law.

Winnipeg Free Press: Brad Oswald

Review of the Manitoba Theatre for Young People production, Tough Case

“Restorative justice is a bold concept; it requires courage, determination and a willingness to change for its outcome to be as productive as intended. In David S. Craig’s teen-themed play Tough Case, however, one is left wondering where that courage must necessarily lie, and for whom a willingness to change is essential for this innovative system to work.” http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/arts/tough-subject-matter-easy-to-watch-180669331.html

New America Media: John Alex Pena
Teen Finds Redemption in Restorative Justice

In this video essay (the text is provided as well), teenager John Alex Pena says he’s stayed out of trouble since completing a restorative justice program in Fresno, California. He’s currently studying for his drivers licence and plans to find a job and attend adult school. http://newamericamedia.org/2012/11/finding-redemption-through-restorative-justice.php 

CTV News: Andy Johnson
Students shouldn’t be punished for failure to report bullying: report

Alberta’s new Education Act appears to put onus for reporting bullying on students themselves and appears to let parents and teachers off the hook, says a new report by  the Institute of Marriage and the Family Canada (IMFC). http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/students-shouldn-t-be-punished-for-failure-to-report-bullying-report-1.1054439#ixzz2DMkJ8PuU

The National Post also covered the report in “Bullying kids into being whistleblowers: Report calls Alberta’s new law ‘wrongheaded’”. http://www.imfcanada.org/news/report-calls-alberta%E2%80%99s-new-law-%E2%80%98wrongheaded%E2%80%99

The full IMFC report can be downloaded at  http://www.imfcanada.org/sites/default/files/pdfs/Family_responses_to_bullying_November_2012.pdf

Society for Safe and Caring Schools and Communities
New booklet on restorative justice for schools, teachers, and parents

The 29-page  booklet released by the Alberta organization also contains links to other organizations and resources: http://safeandcaring.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/restorative-justice-booklet-web-version.pdf

The Lillooet Restorative Justice Program
Restorative Justice Week in Lillooet: Sarah Chandler

SJN had a note of appreciation and an explanation of how the RJ week played out with environment and RJ mixed together.  Sarah’s description and the events of RJ Week there in Lillooet are wonderfully creative and obviously enthusiastically driven:

“I would just like to share with you our activities for RJ Week, related to the theme Diverse Needs, Unique Responses. Last week, in partnership with our local Fisheries and Oceans office, we visited every elementary class in three schools and 70% of secondary school students in our communities to do a participatory workshop on the use of restorative justice to deal with harms against nature.  We created a scenario around “ghost nets”‘ which involved a simulation in which children and youth actually role played users of aquatic systems (ducks, loons, sturgeon, otters, bears).  We caught them in a real ghost net that had been retrieved from the Fraser River, and then conducted a forum in which those affected we’re able to hold one of us (facilitators) accountable for the harm we had done to them.  It was very successful!  Students participated thoughtfully in the forum, each class, from kindergarten through grade 12 coming up with sound agreements to help repair the harm done and to prevent reoccurrence.   On the last day, we had a “Just Deserts!” table at our local mall, where we gave out home baked cookies, information, and held a draw for prizes donated by DFO.  Students and parents were still talking about the event at the weekend. Thank you again for your interest in our work.” http://www.rjlillooet.ca

The Royal Gazette on Line (Burmuda): Jonathan Bell
Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB)

Here’s a daring election expectation from Bermuda: a “formal, structured process” for racial reconciliation. The organization has released a “15-point plan” aimed at moving the Island toward a fairer social model where white privilege is eliminated, and it calls for a review of the criminal justice system, greater use of restorative justice principles, and the vote for prison inmates. http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20121127/NEWS/711269921