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Why We Organize Practitioners

This blog post argues that health and healing practitioners can play a crucial role in social justice movements by addressing trauma, building collective power, and transforming harmful systems. It highlights the importance of organizing these practitioners to provide support, address the trauma experienced by movement organizers and communities, and challenge the medical industrial complex (MIC).

Key points include the need for healing justice within movements, the challenges faced by practitioners working within the MIC, and the strategies for organizing practitioners. These strategies involve building infrastructure, providing resources and training, and fostering political education.

By organizing practitioners and integrating healing justice into movements, we can create more effective and sustainable organizations that prioritize well-being and collective liberation. This can lead to a more just and equitable future for all.

Reflect on the following questions:

How does the medical industrial complex impact your community?

What are some examples of alternative healing practices that could challenge the dominance of the MIC?

How can we build a healthcare system that prioritizes collective well-being over profit?

What role can individuals play in dismantling the MIC?

How can we create a more just and equitable healthcare system for all?

This article further discusses how Healing justice can be incorporated into the MIC and dismantle the current power structures.

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Dismantling the Medical Industrial Complex: Building Power for Collective Care

This post explores the concept of Healing Justice (HJ) and its potential to transform the medical industrial complex (MIC). It highlights the importance of community-led care, challenging the dominant medical model, and prioritizing collective well-being. Key points include the definition of HJ as a framework for transformative change, its critique of the MIC, and the work of organizations like EqualHealth, Intersex Justice Project, and Changing Frequencies.

EqualHealth is a transnational collective of health workers and activists working to interrupt racial capitalism and advance health equity. The Intersex Justice Project advocates for the rights of Intersex people and challenges harmful medical practices. Changing Frequencies is a Black Queer Feminist-led project using cultural memory to disrupt the violence of the MIC.

These organizations exemplify the principles of Healing Justice by centering marginalized communities, addressing systemic issues, and building alternative systems of care. By learning from their work, we can gain valuable insights into how to dismantle the MIC and create a more just and equitable healthcare system.

Reflect on the following questions:

How can we build relationships rooted in care and accountability?

What strategies can we use to transform the medical industrial complex?

How can we reclaim and honor our ancestral traditions of healing?

These are different organizations that are incorporating healing justice into medical practices.

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Building the World We Want and Deserve: Sites of Practice in California

This post explores the concept of Healing Justice (HJ) through the lens of several organizations working in California. It highlights the importance of addressing historical trauma, building community-led solutions, and prioritizing the well-being of marginalized communities. Key points include the definition of HJ as a framework for transformative change, its connections to other social justice movements, and the work of organizations like Sins Invalid, RYSE Center, and Healing Clinic Collective.

Sins Invalid is a disability justice organization that focuses on reclaiming the dignity and power of disabled individuals. RYSE Center is a youth-led organization that provides healing, empowerment, and community-building opportunities for young people of color. Healing Clinic Collective offers traditional healing practices to survivors of trauma and violence.

These organizations exemplify the principles of Healing Justice by centering marginalized communities, addressing systemic issues, and prioritizing holistic well-being. By learning from their work, we can gain valuable insights into how to build a more just and equitable future.

I invite you to reflect on these questions:

What kind of relationships do we need to build for collective power and transformation?

How can we address our own healing while engaging in social justice work?

What strategies can we implement for grief, joy, and celebration within our communities?

These are the organizations discussed in the readings.

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Generational Memories of Care: Sites of Practice in New Mexico

This reading explores the concept of Healing Justice (HJ) through the lens of several organizations working in New Mexico. It highlights the importance of ancestral traditions and intergenerational healing in building a more just future. Key points include the definition of HJ as a community-led framework for addressing trauma, its connection to environmental and reproductive justice, and the work of organizations like Tewa Women United, Kalpulli Izkalli, and Casa de Salud. These organizations are dedicated to healing, justice, and reclaiming ancestral traditions to create a more equitable future.

The concept of resilience as a key aspect of healing justice resonated with me. It's not just about surviving trauma, but about building the tools and support systems to keep moving forward while creating a better future.

This reading aligns with my understanding of social justice movements that emphasize collective action and dismantling oppressive structures. It highlights the importance of cultural preservation and traditional knowledge in building a more just and equitable world.

I encourage readers to take part in a reflective practice by taking the time to sit with these questions:

How do you embody healing justice in your own life?

What are some ways to reclaim ancestral traditions.

How will you honor and cherish elders?

What is the power of intergenerational connection for healing?

Tewa Women United (TWU): This organization was one of many discussed in the reading. They work to heal from the effects of colonization and environmental violence. They advocate for native seed preservation, birthing justice, and traditional healing practices. Check out their website for more information on how to get involved with their work, as well as learning about what they do.

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Healing Justice: Movements and Political Frameworks

What is Healing Justice?

Healing Justice is a multifaceted concept that encompasses several key aspects:

Community-led response: It prioritizes solutions developed and implemented by the communities most affected by trauma.

Interrupting cycles of trauma: It aims to break the chains of violence and harm that have been passed down through generations.

Holistic well-being: Healing Justice focuses on addressing emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and environmental aspects of well-being.

Cultural practices: It recognizes the importance of ancestral traditions and cultural practices in healing.

Challenging systems of oppression: Healing Justice works to dismantle systems that perpetuate harm, such as the medical-industrial complex and carceral systems.

The Interconnected Web of Healing Justice

Healing Justice is interconnected with various social justice movements such as:

Environmental Justice (EJ): Healing Justice recognizes the deep connection between environmental health and human well-being. It aligns with EJ's fight for a healthy planet and respect for all living beings.

Reproductive Justice (RJ): Reproductive Justice is a core principle of Healing Justice, as it emphasizes bodily autonomy and the right to make decisions about our families and reproduction.

Harm Reduction: Healing Justice acknowledges the realities of criminalized behaviors and supports harm reduction strategies that prioritize safety and well-being.

Disability Justice: Disability Justice challenges ableism and promotes the understanding that all bodies are valued and deserve care. Healing Justice incorporates the importance of accessibility and inclusivity.

Transformative Justice: Healing Justice shares the goal of transformative justice, which seeks to address harm and violence through accountability, healing, and safety for all involved, without relying on the carceral system.

I encourgage you rto explore the concept of healing justice in your community through reflecting on the following question:

"Can you identify any organizations or initiatives in your community that embody the principles of Healing Justice?"

Attached to this post are links to Fort Collins resources that focus on healing justice framework.

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Healing in the Wake of Disaster: A Reflection on Hurricane Katrina and Its Legacy

The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a stark reminder of the vulnerability of coastal communities and the devastating impact of natural disasters. In the aftermath of the storm, communities across the South were grappling with the loss of homes, loved ones, and a sense of normalcy. This tragedy highlighted the need for not only physical recovery but also emotional and psychological healing.

The reading explores the emergence of healing justice as a response to the trauma and devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. This movement emphasized the importance of addressing collective trauma and burnout within Southern communities. By grounding healing practices in Southern traditions and ancestral knowledge, healing justice sought to create a more just and equitable future.

The experiences of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath offer valuable lessons for communities facing natural disasters today. One key takeaway is the importance of collective care and support. In the face of adversity, communities must come together to provide emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging.

Another important lesson is the need for equitable disaster response. The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina exposed the deep-rooted inequalities and systemic racism that exist within our society. Recovery efforts must be designed to ensure that all communities, regardless of race, class, or socioeconomic status, have access to the resources and support they need to rebuild.

The recent hurricanes that have impacted the Carolinas and other coastal regions offer a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by natural disasters. While the specific circumstances may differ, the challenges faced by communities in the aftermath of these storms are similar to those experienced after Hurricane Katrina.

Healing justice provides a framework for addressing the collective trauma and burnout that these communities are experiencing. By grounding healing practices in local traditions and building supportive networks, communities can work towards recovery and resilience.

The legacy of Hurricane Katrina continues to shape our understanding of disaster response and recovery. By embracing the principles of healing justice, communities can work towards building a more just and equitable future, one that is resilient in the face of adversity.

Learn how to help women, children, and LGBTQ+ people impacted by Hurricane Helene here.

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Conjuring the Roots of Healing Justice in the Southeast

The American South, a region steeped in history, culture, and struggle, has long been at the forefront of social and political movements. From the Civil Rights Movement to the fight for reproductive justice, Southern communities have demonstrated remarkable resilience and a commitment to change. However, this history of resistance has also come at a significant cost, leaving a legacy of trauma and violence that continues to impact communities today. In recent years, a movement has emerged that seeks to address this collective trauma and build a more just and equitable future: healing justice.

This reading explores the origins and principles of healing justice in the South. It highlights the role of grassroots organizations like the Kindred Southern Healing Justice Collective in developing strategies to address collective trauma, burnout, and violence within Southern communities. The reading also emphasizes the importance of grounding healing practices in Southern traditions and ancestral knowledge.

As a Colorado native, I have a deep connection to the land and its history. While the West and South may seem like distinct regions, they share many common threads in their cultural heritage. Both regions have been shaped by experiences of frontier life, westward expansion, and the legacy of Native American displacement.

The reading's emphasis on the importance of being rooted in place resonates with me on a personal level. The West, like the South, has a unique cultural heritage and has experienced its own share of oppression. Healing justice recognizes that these experiences must be acknowledged and addressed to create a more just and equitable future for all.

This reading connects to my previous studies in sociology and history, particularly the concept of collective memory. The idea that collective trauma can be passed down through generations is a powerful one. Healing justice offers a framework for understanding and addressing this intergenerational trauma and working towards collective healing.

This reading and my own experiences growing up in the west reminded me of Westward expansion and Manifest Destiny. Manifest Destiny the belief that the United States was destined to expand westward across North America, played a central role in the displacement of Native American tribes. As settlers moved westward, they often clashed with Native American communities over land and resources. This led to a series of violent conflicts, such as the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which forced thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands. The legacy of Manifest Destiny continues to shape the relationship between Native American communities and the United States today, as many tribes continue to fight for their rights and sovereignty.

Healing justice is a vital movement that seeks to address the deep-rooted trauma and violence that have plagued the South for generations. By grounding healing practices in Southern traditions and ancestral knowledge, healing justice offers a path towards collective liberation and a more just and equitable future. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of our time, it is essential to remember the importance of healing and the power of collective action.

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Roots of Medical Industrial Complex

The concept of the Medical Industrial Complex (MIC), as discussed in Roots of the Medical Industrial Complex by Cara Page, reflects the interwoven systems of profit, colonization, and control in healthcare. This corporate-driven model places profit over care, perpetuating historical ideologies that dehumanize marginalized communities. As outlined by Patty Berne, the MIC's foundation lies in racist, ableist science, emphasizing control through bodies seen as expendable for the benefit of the wealthy elite.

One disturbing example is Dr. J. Marion Sims, considered the father of modern gynecology, who performed brutal experiments on enslaved Black women without anesthesia, believing they could endure more pain than white women. This horrific mistreatment laid the foundation for gynecology, embedding racial bias into the medical field from its very inception.

What I found particularly interesting was the historical connection between the MIC and population control, a concept that began with Thomas Malthus's theory of overpopulation. Malthus blamed the fertility of Indigenous and women of color for environmental degradation, which led to policies aimed at controlling the birth rates of these communities. The continued intersection of eugenics, as highlighted in the forced sterilization of people deemed "unfit," reflects a disturbing legacy that persists today.

This text reminded me of the ongoing fight for healthcare justice, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlighted the disparities in who had access to life-saving care, reinforcing how deeply rooted these systems of control still are.

For further reading on how eugenics shapes modern medicine, you can check out Harriet Washington's Medical Apartheid, a profound book on medical experimentation on Black Americans.

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Learning to Listen: Fire, Sky, Water, Earth

This reading explores the various ways in which Harriet Tubman listened. She listened to the fire, the sky, the water, and the earth. Each element provided unique guidance and wisdom. For example, listening to the fire helped her understand the need for destruction to create new beginnings, as exemplified by the Combahee River raid.

One of the most striking aspects of Tubman's story is her reliance on intuition. Her ability to "see" the path forward, often guided by dreams and visions, is a testament to the power of the human spirit. This aspect of Tubman's life is well highlighted in the documentary film "Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom." Through watching the documentary you can gain an idea on what Tubmans visions were like and delve into how her connection to nature guided her towards freedom and justice. As a student of history, I have often been drawn to figures who defied conventional wisdom and trusted their inner compass. Tubman's unwavering belief in her abilities serves as a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most profound truths can be found within

This reading resonates with my previous studies in psychology, particularly the concept of intuition. Psychologists have long explored the role of intuition in decision-making and problem-solving. Tubman's story highlights the importance of cultivating intuition and trusting one's instincts, even when faced with uncertainty.

Harriet Tubman's legacy is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening. By listening to the fire, the sky, the water, and the earth, she was able to navigate the challenges of her time and lead countless others to freedom. Her story encourages us to cultivate our own listening skills and to trust the wisdom that can be found within.

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Holding Our Beautiful Mess: Liberatory Harm Reduction and Our Right to Heal 

In this essay, Shira Hassan reframes the history and philosophy of harm reduction as a deeply radical and community-centered practice, far removed from its more clinical iterations within public health institutions. Hassan traces its roots back to activists in the late 20th century—particularly marginalized groups like sex workers, drug users, and trans individuals—who created life-saving harm-reduction strategies out of necessity. A central focus of her work is reclaiming trauma-centered practice and pushing back against systems of control that criminalize survival strategies, whether through drug use or other non-normative behaviors.

One crucial point in this reading is that harm reduction is not only about reducing risk but also about embracing and celebrating the messiness of survival. Hassan calls for a liberatory approach that moves beyond institutionalized harm reduction to prioritize self-determination and collective care.

I was struck by how liberatory harm reduction challenges conventional ideas about health and safety. Hassan's critique of the medical-industrial complex and healthism, concepts that emphasize a singular notion of “wellness” and criminalize those who fall outside these norms, made me reflect on my own biases. This resonated with some of the discussions in my sociology classes about the intersection of healthcare and systemic oppression, particularly how marginalized groups are disproportionately harmed by medical gatekeeping.

ACT UP, the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, is a significant historical example that parallels Hassan’s arguments. The group’s radical approach to demanding access to life-saving drugs and healthcare for people with HIV/AIDS directly challenged a system that stigmatized and criminalized those suffering from the epidemic. Their activism paved the way for harm reduction strategies like syringe exchanges, which Hassan highlights as key parts of liberatory harm reduction.