NEWSLETTER November, 2019
What Do We Mean by Politicized Healing? CTJC staff, Board members, and Survivor and Family Advisory Council Members completed a two day Politicized Healing workshop with phenomenal trainers from Resilient Strategies on October 23rd and 24th. We spent two days learning about the history of the term/practice and where the Center fits in the lineage, flushing out our own definitions of politicized healing, and deepening our understanding of what it looks like in our team and programs to operate from a politicized healing lens. We will be rolling out some new materials in the months to come to share out our learnings, but in the meantime wanted to offer a few powerful questions to think about that arose in the training. —What is the purpose of being well? And, on the flipside, who/how does it serve when we are not well? —Who becomes more powerful/less powerful as the result of a practice of health? —What agenda does a practice of health move forward? What folks, particularly those in power, want us to not recognize is that health—in its broadest definition—is inherently political. As we become well (in body, mind, and spirit) new actions—and thus new futures—become possible
CTJC Introduces New Boxing Program The Center is excited to announce a new boxing program! We are always looking for opportunities to explore new individual and communal healing activities. The idea came from our Learning Fellow, Gregory Banks, who is a passionate boxer, and is possible thanks to a generous donation of boxing supplies by TITLE Boxing. We know that boxing can be a dynamic exercise that couples cardio, strength and hand-eye coordination, but it can also be so much more. It is an opportunity to re-connect to our bodies and a chance to reclaim our power—both things that experiences of trauma takes from us. We hope the workout will be beneficial physically and mentally for all of us. Let us know if you’re interested in participating in our first round of boxing! Email gregory@chicagotorturejustice.org for more information or call the Center at 773-962-0395.