Healing & Justice Towards Liberation

by Alonzo Waheed, Lead Organizer at E.A.T Chicago

The Justice and Healing Conversation Series was a pilot partnership between Harvard Radcliffe Institute and McCormick Solidarity Building Initiative (SBI) that was launched at the Cook County Department of Corrections. Along with three other facilitators, Alonzo Waheed, lead organizer for Equity and Transformation and the Founder of Gate Keepers, facilitated 4 virtual sessions engaging in a rich dialogue with 10 men detained at the Cook County Department of Corrections. A reflection from Alonzon on his experience.

In writing this reflection on the Justice and Healing series, in which I participated as a facilitator, I must admit that in the beginning I was apprehensive. I questioned if I believed that there could be justice in healing.  Myself being a directly impacted individual, I know firsthand how systems that are in place in the name of justice often offer no justice whatsoever. Neither do they offer healing for individuals that have been victimized by the system in which justice should prevail. 

As the session planning began, I was adamant that the individuals that would be participating in the session have already been harmed. I wanted to make sure that we as a group of facilitators would not cause more harm by reopening wounds that they have yet to heal from. I wanted to be sure that we did not plant grandiose ideas of justice and healing in which they could not truly participate in. I did not want them to embrace out of fear of punishment or being looked at as weak by others who have chosen not to acknowledge that there could be another way to heal ourselves while dealing with the anger that resides within us. 

While progressing through the sessions, I was enlightened by the wealth of information that was shared by my co-facilitators; such as how to manage anger, our connection to anger, our ancestors and the earth, and the effect it has on ourselves as well as community. What deeply moved me was not the fact that the participants not only embraced the process, but that they added unfounded insight. From their straight forward participation in creating their own community agreements and holding each other accountable, to also being vulnerable enough to share openly and honestly in a place where it was not only viewed as unacceptable but could also be dangerous. I witnessed individuals look the threat of reprisal in the face and say “I will still be better no matter the cost.”

One of the most profound reflections that I was left with was that although every one of the participants knew they were victims in one way or another, none of them settled for staying in that state. They not only looked at how to liberate themselves but felt it was more beneficial to also liberate others. Most importantly, the need to liberate their families and communities who they all felt were being punished and harmed just by being connected to them. Their stories of depression, mistreatment, and predatory practices all only fueled their anger. They were relieved to find a process in which to not only manage this anger, but utilize it in a productive way that could result in a more beneficial future for themselves and their loved ones.

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Alonzo Lee Waheed Sr. is the Lead Organizer for Equity And Transformation and the Founder of Gate Keepers NFP. Gate Keepers is a Chicago-based, non-profit organization whose existence is devoted to the betterment of men. Its team of dedicated staff works tirelessly to eradicate violence and negative behavior among young men within the Pullman, Roseland and throughout Chicago’s South Suburbs.