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It starts with prejudice. It starts with stereotyping. It starts with othering. Because we are young, we take it in. We feel it all. We are labeled troublemakers, bad influences, loiterers, thieves, threats. We are harassed. We are ignored. We are disproportionately punished by the systems that should teach and protect us. And yet, these are our systems. And that means we can change them. Raising Justice brings together youth and policymakers to build a more just society for all.
2/3
of incarcerated youth are youth of color, even though they are only 1/3 the youth population
Raising Justice challenges the systemic oppression that denies young people their right to basic public safety.
We are youth-founded, youth-run, and youth-focused.
Two teenagers. Two Portlands. Two kinds of justice. Our founders Taji Chesimet and Britt Masback each saw a system that was failing young people. Taji saw a prejudice rife with false narratives about who he was and who he could become. Britt saw a system entrenched in white privilege. Together, they founded Youth Educating Police, spotlight on the mistreatment of young people by the Portland police, especially those of color. The mission has grown beyond educating police, and it is time for a new name that reflects the scope of our ambition. Today, we are Raising Justice.
Justice only works when it works for all of us.
Introducing the Storytelling Project: young people sharing their experiences with policing
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Trying to tell people and trying to make people understand what should already be understood is exhausting. But you have to do it, because if you don’t someone else might not. You have to talk about change until change is happening.
Zaire Adams
Los Angeles, CA
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