The Brownsville Project abolishes systemic oppression by helping communities confront and heal from suppressed history. We strive to create structural change and healing for those who have historically experienced the most harm.
Our tools include a transformative justice model, live performance, social discourse, and community organizing to explore how the past led us to the present; and how we can learn from that past to create a better future.
1906 Lincoln School
To understand the present, we must account for all of the past, especially the pieces that scare us. Inclusive history that takes into account the viewpoints of those who have historically been silenced can be messy, painful, and contradict what we previously held to be true. However, there is power in uncovering and naming the truth in its entirety and learning from it.
An individual is not defined by the actions of the cultural groups to which they belong, but an individual MUST examine their proximity to those groups, the privilege they take from them, and the impact to others. We cannot operate from a place of shame, avoidance, or defensiveness if we want to create impactful change and movements that include everyone and uplift those who have been harmed.
Examining the past must be restorative and for the betterment of everyone in the community. This means uplifting historically suppressed voices and forgoing punitive measures to find tenable healing for the community.
