What does “Create a Community of Justice” mean to DCIA?

 

Justice can mean several things:

 

I.      Legal Justice.

        A.     Police, the courts and the prison system.

 

II.     Economic Justice.

        A.     How should the community’s resources be allocated?

                1.     Should we give and do more for poor people?

                2.     Do subsidies for the rich (like a new ball park) help

                        everyone by expanding business and creating jobs?

 

III.    Social Justice.

        A.     Equal opportunity to participate in all community activities.

        B.     Racial/Ethnic – participation by demographic group.

                1.     Affirmative action.

                        a.     Justice for the individual or for a group.

                2.     Equal opportunity v. equal participation.

                3.     Most “qualified” v. proportional representation.

                        a.     Education.

                                i.      E.g., being in gifted & talented classes.

                        b.     Employment.

                        c.      Participation in leadership positions.

        C.     Is a failure of Justice manifested by ethnic gaps in

                1.     Educational achievement,

                2.     Economic achievement, and

                3.     The criminal justice system?

 

IV.    Political Justice.

        A.     Fairness and distribution of power in government.

        B.     Does a commitment to Justice mean that DCIA should

                Participate to some extent in the political process?

 

V.     What do our faiths say about Justice?

        A.     Holy Texts and Commentaries.

        B.     Human History and Experience = a form of commentary.

                1.     Our lives become a commentary on the text.

 

 

Results of Discussions at DCIA Board Meeting on June 17, 2003

What Do We Mean by “Create a Community of Justice”?

 

 

1.     Scott Benhase’s group:

        Justice is not universally ascribed to by the same definition.

        There are concerns with the failure of the prison system to practice justice.  The aftercare “Reconciliation & Re-entry” ministry being formed in DCIA to help released offenders reconnect with the community is not “Justice” but a positive development to help people in need.

        Community fear creates a climate for injustice.  DCIA can develop fear-reducing programs, help people to get to know one another and nurture an environment that reduces possibilities that create fear.

        DCIA should model just behavior reflecting Justice.

        Advocacy for Justice can be proactive or reactive: What should DCIA’s role be?

        DCIA working with Durham CAN to engage congregations in identifying and implementing health care solutions can achieve Justice, and may work toward universal health coverage in Durham.

 

2.     Ben Rouse’s group:

        Justice requires that people with power be reached.

        Justice can be at DCIA or in congregations – but there is a large unrepresented segment of Durham not included in the discussion, who may have different ideas of Justice.

        Justice is very complicated, and needs to be tempered with mercy.

 

3.     Ginger Thomas’ group:

        Justice can involve restoring resources for the poor, and minorities or others who have lacked resources for a long time.

        On a practical level, this can be manifested in building a grocery store with affordable prices in poorer areas.

        Justice means that all people get their needs met; and making wrongs right, and caring for victims who have suffered a loss.

        Educational opportunities produce hope for those beset by violence.  Bus service is needed for those who depend on public transportation.

        Perhaps DCIA needs to address political issues, support certain candidates, to promote Justice.

        There is unjust treatment of minority children in schools, and poor people in the court system.

 

4.     Laurie Hays Coffman’s group:

        Justice is not sameness.

        Institutional Justice may conflict with Individual Justice.

        We need to break down barriers to full and equal participation.  Even if doors are open, some people can’t get to them or don’t know about them.  We need to encourage openness to all people.

        To help the poor and disenfranchised, some must sacrifice.  Privileged adults with time and education, or businesses, might make this sacrifice. 

        The goal is to meet everyone’s needs, not their wants.  Politics to some is Robin Hood, taking from the rich and giving to the poor; to others it is the reverse.  Perhaps not “sacrifice” but “sharing” is the right model – redistribution of resources and the power over them.

        National spending should be prioritized: less military, more education.

        Many people view the pie as too small, but we if we are receptive to the abundance granted us we may realize the pie is bigger than we thought.

        Restorative Justice suggests that a perpetrator may be acquitted, but he doesn’t get to keep the fruits of his crime.

 

5.     Cecil Cheek’s group:

        It is important that we figure out how to get people to join together.  Partnership congregations can help.  Another solution someone suggested is: paint everybody Black.

 

6.     Maryann Crea’s group:

        Justice requires integration within our congregations by race and economics.  Immaculate Conception Catholic Church has had a huge influx of Latinos.

        Justice can be defined as Retributive – A wrongdoer is punished.

        Or Justice can be defined in terms of Human Dignity – All people have a baseline dignity, and if it is compromised there is injustice.  All people need food, shelter, clothing, and economic opportunity and should participate in God’s gifts.