Restorative Justice in the Current Political Moment

A question we’ve been hearing a lot lately is: does restorative justice require us to repair across lines of difference, even when we don’t want to?

The short answer is no. Restorative justice is a consent-based model for repair. No one should be forced into healing across lines of harm or difference. At its core, restorative justice is a victim-centered approach that prioritizes the people most directly impacted by harm. They, not institutions, not bystanders, not commentators, have the agency to decide what healing looks like and how they want to move forward.

That agency matters. Too often, people most impacted by harm lose control over their own experience. Restorative justice rebalances this by centering their needs, their boundaries, and their timing.

It’s also important to name that those who are financially or materially compensated to engage in dialogue across lines of political difference are not in a position to tell the rest of us how to feel or how to heal. Repair is not a performance, it’s a deeply personal process that unfolds differently for each individual and community.

What restorative justice offers at a time like this is patience. It honors the time it takes to process collective harm and respects each person’s choice in how, when, and if they want to step into repair.

That said, if you are a teacher, organizer, or community leader navigating this difficult moment, restorative circles can be a powerful tool. Circles allow groups to process, reflect, and strengthen bonds together, without forcing premature repair.

At RPNYC, we believe restorative practices are more vital than ever in times of collective strain. If you’d like to explore how circles could support your community, reach out. We’d be glad to connect.