Human Rights + Human Development = Human Justice
We created the Human Justice framework in 2011 after decades of advocating for systems reform. In 2012 we wrote our tagline — “from criminal justice to Human Justice” — to express our shift toward direct community investment.
Each right, each opportunity, adds up.
We provide Human Rights such as guaranteed income, housing, healthcare, childcare, food, transportation, and all of the things every one of us needs to survive and live well.
We provide Human Development opportunities such as land ownership, land stewardship, pathways to home ownership, community-led education and training on history, politics, cooperative business development, and organizing and advocacy.
Moving from criminal justice to Human Justice is about recognizing that continued spending of resources on systems reform (“better jails” or “better policing”) does not change community conditions. Ultimately, improving community conditions is the best way to stop incarceration and recidivism.
- Human Rights
- All the things people need for healthy and thriving lives: guaranteed income, safe and clean housing, guaranteed and complete healthcare coverage, childcare, food, clothes, transportation, and all of the things every one of us needs to survive and live well.
- Human Development
- The ability of people to create the social and cultural conditions to flourish free from oppression, and to create a world where Human Rights are woven into the fabric of society — land and home ownership, community-led education on history, politics, land stewardship, and cooperative business development.
- Human Justice
- A healthy and vibrant community, where each person is safe, thriving and able to reach their full human potential.
Beyond the fish. Beyond the river.
Ricardo Levins Morales
- CharityGive me a fish
You have fed me for a day.
- TrainingTeach me how to fish
You’ve fed me until the river is contaminated and the shoreline seized for development.
- OrganizingBut if I can organize
Whatever the challenge, I can join together with my peers and we will fashion our own solution.
We achieve Human Justice when we see…
…for everyone who lives and works in our communities.
- Community investment
- Empowerment
- Creativity
- Joy
- Well-being
- Healing
- Accountability
Ten years of a name that changed the conversation.
- 2012Human Justice Awards Gala
“From Criminal Justice to Human Justice,” featuring Harry Belafonte, with Honorary Host Committee Chairs Danny Glover, Yasiin Bey and George Gresham. Guests included Gus Newport, Bob Moses, Tshaka Barrows and Indigo Bain; Bryonn Bain was Master of Ceremonies.
- 202210-Year Human Justice Anniversary
Trinity Church Wall Street hosts a virtual gathering celebrating a decade of Human Justice.