The Community Presents its 5th Annual Correcting the Narrative Celebration – Learning is Liberation
MILWAUKEE, WIS. – The Community will host its 5th annual Correcting the Narrative Celebration this year as a full week of experiences from November 3 – 6. The theme of Learning is Liberation focuses on the invaluable role of education in creating a justice system more worthy of that name.
“Roughly 95% of people in prison are coming home. The question is, who do we want them to be when they return to communities everywhere? The reason why this issue matters can be that simple at the end of the day,” said Shannon Ross, Founder and CEO of The Community. “People with criminal records carry the same potential and humanity as anyone in society, and it’s imperative that they be allowed to rehabilitate and reintegrate for society to be stronger and make the best use of its resources and large investment in the justice system.”
The Experience:
Simulations: Throughout the week, there will be a series of events confronting the realities of the criminal legal system through immersive experiences. Each event is designed to deepen public understanding of incarceration. Community members will have the opportunity to experience prison birth, solitary confinement, and criminal legal simulations. Events are held across the metro area at Alverno College, Mount Mary University, Carroll University, and UWM.
Documentary & Panel Discussion: On Wednesday, November 5, there will be a showing of clips from documentaries on higher education in prison and reentry. A panel of national speakers will discuss topics with the audience throughout the evening. The event will take place at UWM’s Cinema.
Main Celebration: Finally, the week will culminate with a celebration honoring five individuals impacted by the criminal legal system who are pursuing or have pursued education, as well as celebrating system-impacted talent through musical performances, catering, graphic designs, honoree pendants, artwork, and leadership.
The Community addresses the effects of the criminal legal system through Pre-entry and Correcting the Narrative. Pre-entry leverages the most widely-read publication in the Wisconsin prison system (The Community newsletter), a Community Health Worker pre-apprenticeship, a Disability in Prison Education Advocacy project, and an early level learning platform to provide incarcerated people with high quality resources, info, encouragement, guidance, and training – which allows them to return to society as successfully as possible, rather than trying to get prepared after release. Their Correcting the Narrative campaign uses immersive events, a video series, a podcast, and presentations to showcase the successes, humanity, and agency of people with criminal records to counteract harmful and false fear, pity, and spectacle narratives. They seek to bring society and the system-impacted community exactly where they need each other to be.
For more information, please visit: https://the-community.org/
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
