Racial Justice Rising is a small, all-volunteer racial justice organization based in Franklin County, Massachusetts.
The members of Racial Justice Rising are ordinary people who are troubled by the persistent racism that plagues this country. Believing that the damage caused by racism must be repaired before our society can be whole, we work for just and respectful treatment for all.
While much of our work is focused in our local area, we reach out to and are connected with the broader movements in our region and the nation.
The members of Racial Justice Rising believe that:
- White people created racism to rationalize and justify the results of colonization: genocide, enslavement of free peoples, destruction of Indigenous societies around the world, and other inhuman behavior.
- White supremacy is the cornerstone of racism.
- Racism is one of the primary tools of social control in the U.S. and world-wide, embedded in economic, housing, education, judicial, healthcare, and other systems, and in civic and interpersonal relations.
- Racism, which can manifest as internalized racial superiority in perpetrators or internalized racial inferiority in those targeted, causes immeasurable harm to both.
Our mission is twofold: to help build the movement for racial justice by contributing to a deeper understanding of systemic racism and racial justice, and to engage in restorative activities that help to heal the racial divide and bring justice for people targeted by racism.
Our local activities include an ongoing series of free educational programs.
Mass Slavery Apology, the group’s original name, is still the name of the project that started our work — our statement of apology for slavery and commitments to restorative action.
One of our collaborators is the Grassroots Reparations Campaign, The Truth Telling Project’s premier program. More info: https://thetruthtellingproject.org
Consider joining our reparations group!
VIEW OUR REPARATIONS TEACH-IN
February 21, 2022 – viewing time 1 hour 36 minutes
RJR supports Greenfield Racial Justice!
Events
See our Events page for more information.
FREE PROGRAM SERIES
Our programs are supported in part by grants from Amherst, Ashfield, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont-Hawley, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Greenfield, Heath, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Pelham, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, Warwick, Wendell, and Whately Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Where Is The Kindness? Homelessness, Migration, and Immigration
Saturday, October 15 at 2 p.m.
First United Methodist Church,
25 Church Street, Greenfield MA
Free, IN PERSON PROGRAM
Donations are welcome! ~ Masks optional
Join students and staff of Twice As Smart as they explore immigration, migration, and homelessness — topics filled with adversity for many — using the powerful mode of song.
This will be an interactive program, so please bring your family’s migration and/or immigration stories and experiences to share.
With students Bella, Jay, Jemenae, Johan, Jose, and Leilani, and instructors Gloria Matlock, Becca Eowind, and Michael Nix.
Twice as Smart is a Greenfield, MA program that assists children with their educational endeavors. Director Gloria Matlock and her team teach communication and homework skills, financial literacy, and other topics.
WEEKLY VIGIL
Every Saturday from 11 a.m – noon, on the Greenfield Common