Theories, Justice, Experiences

Quick Reflection:
Before I get into the serious part of the blog, regarding the readings and questions asked for this week, I wanted to touch base about last weeks trip to ICIW. It was so great to have that experience, I do not think words can truly describe it! It was so new, exciting, and such a learning process for me that it almost felt surreal. I am so thankful that Rachel is taking this chance with us :) Can't wait to go back for orientation on October, 8th as well as start my volunteering process there.

How does your experience with Women Studies theories inform your ideas about justice?
Honestly, I have not taken a women studies course that focuses on theory work; it has mostly been just a one lecture overview that is just skimmed to give background information regarding the topic of study- nothing in depth. Although after reading chapter eight of Socializing Care, I feel as though I have a pretty good understanding as far as what the major ideas are. And I would have to state that the Restorative Justice concept is great! There needs to be more in depth steps to help our society with the aftermath of crime. I think the book did a great job of explaining how the process of RJ can work as well as how it can effect those positively; community participation, needs of the victim, accountability of the offender,and  restoring victims, offenders, and communities are all ways to help society as a whole! RJ also is a great bridge to pushing care work/ ethics of care into the spotlight- even though it may take more than the fancy name of RJ to do that for our society :(

As I did agree with alot of the statements that the book covered regarding RJ and the process in which it works, it was rather disappointing to read why in some cases it does not work; because our judicial system is still ran and over seen by male figures who do not feel the need to look into RJ. It was good to see why it does not work to its full potential (again, in some cases) and how everything stems back to "separate spheres," but I have to say that is tarnishes my view on justice a bit. I feel as though alot of it is just old school ways of dealing with crime in which it all a political battle- why can't there be something done for the people themselves!? I could ramble on about this question forever because I feel so torn. Something needs to be done so our society can better itself -BUT- on the other hand I feel as though our society is way to selfish to change their ways and justice will continue to be corrupted and unresolving for many.

I guess to answer the above question in a simple sentence I would state that: after having experienced/learning the theories within women studies, justice seems very unnerving, unresolving, and controlled by traditional means in which nothing changes as our society changes. Something that needs to be re-looked at if people truly want "peace."

What is justice?
After reading the chapter and the article off ICON, experiencing/ hearing stories about prison life, and attending our discussions, I cannot say I really know what justice is anymore. Is it justice to be punished for a crime by going to prison or is it justice for those who have done wrong to accept what they did and create a better life for themselves and society? Is it justice that people go to prison for being associated with a crime they did not commit? Is it justice for individual to be locked up time and time again for crime- without any social or mental guidance? I just feel like every situation is different and each and every individual is going to have a different idea of what justice is for them (as a victim or even outside individual). I mean on one hand I think that there is justice when an individual is sent to prison for committing murder -BUT- what if that person is mentally ill? If they were I would then think that justice, for that murder, would be that the mentally ill would attend a mental institution- they need to understand what they did/what happened. See its all different that is why RJ is so important for our society to adopt- caring and helping is so much more important than solely punishing because many can not learn in that way.

These are hard questions Rachel!
See everyone at discussion on Friday :)