Red Bird is still alive and well, we just haven't been internet-ing much lately.
What have been doing instead of the internet?!
Focusing on building relationships people organizing inside!
Getting ready for Bomani Shakur's book release!
Keeping Books to Prisoners funded and functioning!
Collecting art work for a show this Spring!
Doing workshops at schools and community spaces!
And always, we are thinking about and talking about ways to deal with harm without the prison system. Here's some thoughts from a prisoner we work with called BlackJack:
'On dealing with harm, I was thinking about having a meeting between the victims, the accused, and an outside neutral party come together to agree on what course of action to take. I don't know if it would work, but neither does putting people in a cage for long amounts of time. I always liked the idea of community service. What does the victim want? Will the accused accept it? After some dialogue between them, can an agreement be made? It definitely isn't perfect. Plus, every instance will be different. But, how do you dela with those who will not come to an agreement - or will not do what was agreed upon? Banishment? Ostracization? Death? Garnishment/re-possession? I don't know. What do you think?'
What do you think?
If you're interested or curious about Red Bird, shoot us an email at Redbirdprisonabolition@gmail.com
or
help us send out books to prisoners on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month. The next book packing will be:
Sunday March 16th
5 PM to 7 PM
172 E. 5th Ave, come to the door around back!
