It’s just about time for the annual “new year, new me” Instagram posts and ball drop celebrations–which also means it's time for new year’s resolutions! As always, 2023 is the year of you, and setting goals and self-improving milestones are the markers of personal rebirth. However, it can sometimes be difficult to add to your list of intentions for the fresh start gifted by the solar system, so I’m here to offer some suggestions–with an SJS twist of course.
1. Read More
“Read more” is always a quick and easy addition to the docket of new year’s resolutions, but what to read is where things get more complicated. Have no fear, I’ve got you covered. Firstly, The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton. This title may sound familiar if you followed our book club over the first semester. If not, however, it is a powerful story of a falsely incarcerated man on death row and his perseverance in the face of injustice. My second suggestion is The 1619 Project by Nikole Hannah-Jones. Hannah-Jones came to AU as a guest speaker in February of 2022 to discuss her book and initiative which reframes American history and aims to place slavery and its lasting repercussions at the center of the conversation. Finally, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander. The title is self-explanatory, but if you want to learn more about mass incarceration and its innate racialization, Alexander offers an impactful read.
2. Be More Charitable
Think you may have been a bit of Scrooge in 2022? A new year is a better time than ever to set more goals to give back. Unfortunately, as you know, in our economic system very little happens without a solid monetary foundation, so I’ll offer some organizations that would love your help (when you’re able to offer it). The Equal Justice Initiative–started by Bryan Stevenson–offers legal representation to prisoners who are wrongly and unjustly treated by the justice system and were not offered a fair trial. This organization may sound familiar as Bryan Stevenson is the man behind the book and movie Just Mercy. If you’re looking to contribute a little more locally, The Sentencing Project is a fantastic option. Based out of Washington, DC, The Sentencing Project is a research and advocacy center that aims to challenge mass incarceration and change America’s view of crime and punishment. Finally, the Prison Policy Initiative is a public policy think-tank that exposes the detrimental impacts of mass incarceration and criminalization. They are responsible for many of the graphs and charts that you might familiarize yourself with when researching mass incarceration.
3. Learn a new skill
Oftentimes, self-improvement can be found in learning a new skill like knitting or skateboarding, etc. However, this might be your year to develop something a bit more niche–your social justice skills. Being an advocate for those who have been mistreated by the justice system isn’t always easy, and it can sometimes be difficult to know where to start. Lucky for you, being a good ally to those who need it doesn’t necessarily mean creating an entirely new initiative or changing a law. Little things can make big impacts. A couple of ways to sharpen your social justice skills include educating yourself, sharing resources, attending protests, becoming a prisoner’s pen pal, and involving yourself in important conversations. A willingness to listen and learn might be just what you need to hone a new skill for 2023.
I hope these suggestions helped you add to your new year’s resolutions for 2023. But, don’t forget the basic ones like “drink more water” or “go outside more.” Balance is always a good thing to have when ringing in a new year. Students for a Just Society wishes you the best for 2023 and may it be your happiest and stress-free year yet, and if it's not there is always 2024. Sending you peace and love for the next 365 days and many more after that.
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