Heal, Dismantle, Create.
Hello Beloved Community,
As we approach the end of the year, it feels near impossible to find words that could hold both the immense pain and challenges of the last year and the powerful moments of joy and resistance we have witnessed. As we reflect back on this year, our politicized healing framework of Heal, Dismantle, and Create feels even more present and relevant:
HEAL
Our community had to face the loss of far too many, including Malik Alim, Anthony Porter, and Irving King, to name only a few. As we faced the pain of these losses, we trusted each other and our inherent knowing and right to healing. This brought us new approaches to healing and inspired the creation of our politicized grief work.
We heal not only through acknowledging our pain, but also by claiming our joy and resilience. This past year amidst the grief, fear and rage we intentionally made time and space to celebrate and lift up the anniversary of the passage of the reparations ordinance and all those whose vision, resilience and resistance made it possible.
DISMANTLE
In the face of so many struggles, we never lost sight of the multitude of ways our systems and structures inflict real and long-lasting harm on our communities. We took to the streets, we joined our comrades, and we continued to unapologetically name, challenge, and fight to take down these systems. We showed up to free incarcerated survivors, to defund CPD, and to deliver clean water to our community at Stateville Correctional Center.
CREATE
The power of a politicized healing framework is that we are not just trying to feel better and take down harmful systems…No. We are actively and intentionally working to create new systems and communities of care—where we can all thrive. At CTJC we get to feel that power of creation regularly, but never so much as during this last year when we saw over 30 survivors of police torture gathered in the lush #BreathingRoom garden to begin dreaming about a statewide reparations platform.
The Center itself has undergone and is currently undergoing transformation. Our team has doubled in the last two years, allowing us to deepen and grow our work in ways that align with the vision and values of survivors. We are deeply honored to say that our team is over 90% BIPOC and 50% individuals who have survived police violence and incarceration.
Aislinn Pulley (left) and Cindy Eigler (right) in our former office space. Photo by Ez Powers.
In addition to this new year being a chance to celebrate the five year anniversary of the Chicago Torture Justice Center, we are excited about all that can and will emerge from this brilliant and resilient community—and that includes you! As we get ready to enter 2022, we are looking forward to moving into our new physical space and having much needed opportunities to gather, heal, and offer survivors the access to in-person services they deserve. We need your help to get there.
This year’s Love-a-thon for Justice is all about raising the funds we need to build out our new space. We couldn’t be more grateful to you for all of the ways you have supported this community effort so far! If you’ve been meaning to donate and haven’t yet, please know it’s not too late.
Thank you for being a part of our community and sending much tender care to all during this holiday season.
Hold each other close.
Cindy and Aislinn
Heal, Dismantle, Create art by Danbee Kim.