Words of Truth and Wisdom from Justice At Last Advisory Council Members
Dear Friends and Allies,
Following up on the statement of solidarity we issued earlier this week on behalf of Justice At Last’s Staff, Board, and Advisory Council, we’re pleased to share additional thoughts from a few of our Advisory Council members.
As you may know, Justice At Last has an Advisory Council comprised of subject-matter experts with a variety of lived experiences. We provide opportunities for both our Advisors and our clients to share directly with us their unique experiences and feedback for the purpose of enhancing our work, legal representation and trainings.
The Advisory Council’s truth, voice and resilience guide our organizational principles and the values with which we approach our work. Given their brilliance and grace in guiding our organization in so many ways, we wanted to amplify their individual voices on the specific matter of racial justice and equity.
We appreciate and honor their words - and the words of so many others who are doing the difficult, important work of naming and fighting against structural racism and violence in this country. We will continue to hold these values in the forefront of our minds as we continue in our work towards justice for all.
In community,
The Staff, Board of Directors, & Advisory Council of Justice At Last
P.S. - We continue to ask that all members of our community join us in standing for justice in this moment – and continue to seek opportunities to take action moving forward. If you are looking for a place to begin your own anti-racist journey, our staff and our Advisory Council members suggest these resources as a place to begin:
People of color represent 87% of the trafficked persons served by members of Freedom Network USA, including Justice At Last. Learn more here.
Understand how social constructs of race fuel racist and anti-immigrant discourse via Sex Trafficking and the Social Construction of Race.
Continue to educate yourself – Rachel Ricketts's Anti-Racism Resources is a great place to start.
Learn with others – Rachel Cargle's The Great Unlearn is a monthly pay-what-you-can subscription for (un)learning.
Donate to Color of Change, the country’s largest online racial justice organization.
Together, we must do the work of turning our commitments into action. Only together can we put an end to systemic racism, systemic injustice, and police brutality.
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"As a survivor of child sex trafficking, I can tell you that racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia and other forms of systematic racism are the root causes of child sex trafficking." Advisor Suamhirs Piraino-Guzman
“Stand up for injustice no matter who it’s against. We will not turn the other cheek. Will not be silent. It is our duty for humanity to stand up, use your voice and be loud! Make people uncomfortable for that is when change comes.” - Advisor Josie Feemster
“During my darkest days, even when I was being held by another human being and sold to others, I STILL EXPERIENCED PRIVILEGE. I was less likely to get arrested, I was less likely to be murdered, and I was more likely to receive services from the community than the Black girls who were on the same streets. Period." Advisor Savannah Sanders
"Discrimination is the enemy of humanity. All Black persons are human beings, but color racism prevails in real world. Black or Brown, East or West, Young or Old admire love not hate. Never judge a person by their color, but by their heart." Advisor Harold D'Souza]