The Use of Restorative Practices to Address Structural Oppression: Is Art a Start?

Source: (2003) VOMA Connections. Spring(14):3, 6. Downloaded 15 December 2003.

In recent years, some have argued that restorative justice theory and practice have focused too much on the interpersonal dimension of crime at the expense of systemic or structural roots of crime, such as class, race and ethnicity, and gender. In this paper, Isla Roona picks up on this critique, and she points to ways to perceive and address those larger or deeper issues in the interests of restorative justice. In particular she sketches the work of Restorative Community Justice (RCI), a grassroots initiative in Albany, New York. Through restorative philosophy and practices, RCI seeks to repair interpersonal harm. Additionally, it works to heal wounds created by structural oppression. As an example of recognizing and addressing the larger structural issues, and of using art restoratively, Roona also highlights a mural project commissioned by the Social Capital Development Corporation in an urban neighborhood in Albany.