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.
A Time of Uncertainty for CTJC
UPCOMING EVENTS Monday, November 4th Open Case Management Hours 1pm to 5pm at CTJC (open to anyone impacted by police violence) Tuesday, November 5th Cranio-Sacral Therapy (by appointment only) 1pm to 4pm at CTJC (email cindy@chicagotorturejustice.org or call 773-962-0395 to schedule an appointment) Tuesday, November 5th Freedom Songbook Program Round Two 6pm to 8pm at CTJC (open to all. RSVP with Aislinn at aislinn@chicagotorturejustice or 773-962-0395) Saturday, November 9th RISE Community Meeting 10am to 12pm at CTJC (open to community members) Monday, November 11th CTJC closed for Veterans Day Tuesday, November 12th Cranio-Sacral Therapy (by appointment only) 1pm to 4pm at CTJC (email cindy@chicagotorturejustice.org or call 773-962-0395 to schedule an appointment) Tuesday, November 12th Freedom Songbook Program, Round Two 6pm to 8pm at CTJC (open to everone. RSVP to Aislinn at aislinn@chicagotorturejustice.org or 773-962-0395) Monday, November 18th Open Case Management Hours 1pm to 5pm at CTJC (open to anyone impacted by police violence) Tuesday, November 19th Cranio-Sacral Therapy (by appointment only) 1pm to 4pm at CTJC (email cindy@chicagotorturejustice.org or call 773-962-0395 to schedule an appointment) Tuesday, November 19th Freedom Songbook Program Round Two 6pm to 8pm at CTJC (open to everone. RSVP to Aislinn at aislinn@chicagotorturejustice.org or 773-962-0395) Wednesday, November 20th Burge Archive Presentation by Invisible Institute 4pm to 6pm at Experimental Station, 6100 S. Blackstone Ave. Monday, November 25th Open Case Management Hours 1pm to 5pm at CTJC (open to anyone impacted by police violence) Tuesday, November 26th Cranio-Sacral Therapy (by appointment only) 1pm to 4pm at CTJC (email cindy@chicagotorturejustice.org or call 773-962-0395 to schedule an appointment) Tuesday, November 26th Freedom Songbook Program Round Two 6pm to 8pm at CTJC (open to everone. RSVP to Aislinn at aislinn@chicagotorturejustice.org or 773-962-0395) Nov. 27th – Nov. 29th – CTJC Office Closed
At the time of publication of this newsletter, CTJC has still not heard from the City if our request for continued and increased funding for the Center was included in the 2020 proposed budget. We will not turn our back on the decades of struggle and vision of survivors of police torture. The historic win of the Reparations Ordinance was just the beginning of the process to repair the life-long and generational impact caused by police violence in our City. The effects of trauma are on-going and so must our work. People around the country and the world view our work as a model of what is possible. The Center is a powerful and innovative integration of healing and organizing. We have a responsibility as the first and only center dedicated to survivors of domestic torture in the United States, to protect and grow this work. What would it mean for the movement—and for survivors who fought so hard—if the one and only Center to address police torture ends because people failed to show up and support it? We asked the City for $500,000 per year for the Center so that we are able to provide powerful, impactful, and needed services to communities decimated by police violence and disinvestment. How can you help? Call your Alderman and the Mayor and let them know you demand continued and increased funding for the Chicago Torture Justice Center. Give the gift of sustainability by becoming a monthly donor of the Chicago Torture Justice Center. bit.ly/DonateToCTJC Spread the word. Tell your friends and family about the work of the Center and ask them to give what they can. bit.ly/DonateToCTJC
VOICES FROM THE INSIDE
"Systematic Corruption" by Jamaal Sharif Arrest them, cage them, Deny them right to Bail ... Readh them miranda rights, Torture them till they Tell ...
Round-up Jailhouse informants, Offer them shady deals ... To testify for the state, No fair trials or appeals ...
Indict them by grandjury, Arrange them on bogus charges ... Deny them preliminary hearings, And rights to speedy trials ...
Millions behind bars & walls, Treated like 3/5th of a man ... Until Pharoah lets us go, The Lord shall curse the Land ...