Although I’m a non-religious woman of color, I’ve led a moderately privileged life thus far. I’ve often shared my journey for justice after witnessing Eric Garner’s murder in 2014. My life changed once I realized how cruel and unfair the world is, especially where people of color and minorities are involved. Since rerouting my life goals toward a course in justice, I avidly follow numerous organizations whose mission statements align with my own. Maintaining an online presence with these groups allows me to stay updated with different issues affecting the collections of people about whom I’m most passionate. I hope that one day I’ll even land a career with one of the following organizations so I can keep my activism in the grass roots level! I’ve donated my past two birthdays and Christmases to three of my most beloved organizations, so I’ll continue the offer today. If you enjoy reading about these incredible life changing groups, please consider donating financially and/or spreading awareness about their purposes.
- The Innocence Project is an organization that uses DNA testing to exonerate innocent people in the prison system. I’m lucky enough to intern with the Hawaiʻi office this summer! Check out our new website here, where I’ll eventually update the project blog.
- The Inside-Out Prison Exchange Program facilitates an educational connection over a semester-long period between traditional college students and students who are incarcerated. Inside-Out originated at Temple University, but it offers opportunities at campuses all across America.
- Equal Justice Initiative was established by one of my favorite authors and lawyers, Bryan Stevenson. The organization offers legal and social services to people in prison who are illegally or wrongfully convicted, marginalized, abused in prison, or given unfair sentences.
- The Marshall Project utilizes critical journalism in order to raise awareness and educate the masses of the complexities in the criminal justice system.
- The Restorative Justice Project approaches problem solving in a unique way: seeking justice by bringing victims and those who have wronged them together in a face-to-face dialogue. In most cases, forgiveness prevails and lives are positively changed without facing harsh prison time.
- Hudson Link provides incarcerated people with college education and other skills, which are extremely beneficial upon re-entry.
