If ever there were a time to dig deep for solutions, that time is now.
It makes no sense to throw out carefully considered policies that have helped so many communities based on one instance. We have to be smart about the way we approach something as important as community safety.
When they say: X person committed this violent crime, so criminal justice reform policies should be abandoned. We are safer when we invest in social welfare programs and community-based anti-violence programs. Safe communities mean that personal security and equal justice co-exist. When they say: We need to return to more law and order. We encourage investment in programs that alleviate the financial and emotional burdens of the moment. We know that most harms happen between people who know each other or who are family and are experiencing stressors. Working toward real community safety will always be our priority. When they say: violent crime is skyrocketing. That happens when we provide the resources communities need to thrive, particularly those who are suffering from a lack of investment. When they say: we need more police and criminal laws. We don’t need to rely on punishment and harshness to keep everyone safe. To promote a new narrative about what community safety looks like, try to reframe the conversation and remind people that reforming the system is a path toward true community safety. These accounts contribute to a public culture of fear about crime, and often feature individualized responses rather than systemic reform. 2: Connect the Harm to Systemic SolutionsĬonversations about the criminal system often respond to individual examples, which the media frequently sensationalizes. Instead of labels, talk about the people touched by the system they are members of our community and nation.įor all of the above, depending on how specific the description needs to be, say: People who have been caught up in the criminal justice system. The traditional language of the criminal justice system is often dehumanizing and fosters stigma, stereotypes, and fear. Avoid Unnecessary and Harmful Distinctions.The Opportunity Agenda welcomes your experiences, reactions, ideas, and insights.
The goal of this document is to provide suggestions for effective and appropriate language to move the needle toward transformation. Whether you are a public defender, legislator, community organizer, judge, professor, or communicator, adopting harmful language can impact the discourse and policies that affect people and communities. This tool includes tips to promote a more equitable and more accurate discourse that is respectful and effective at addressing the harms of the system. But we know that current conversations often perpetuate misconceptions, reinforce stereotypes, and hamper improvement of the system. Momentum has grown for policymakers to improve the criminal system and adopt strategies that keep all communities safe prevent harm and uphold the values of fairness, equal justice, respect, and accountability.