Continuing Commitment to Combating Racism

The 1619: The Lingering Imprint Discussion Group met on March 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM PST.  John Williams, Director of the Center for Restorative Justice in Pasadena was the speaker for the session.  Our usual practice is to record the meetings and make them available on our YouTube, but an error occurred and no recording was captured of this presentation. Mr. Williams will be providing the slides he used in his presentation, Navigating Tough Conversations: Making an Impact in Times of Discord and these will also be posted on the website.

Mr. Williams began with the purpose and mission of the Center, providing a place based organization to help communities address past injustices.  The Center focuses on the City of Pasadena,, the San Gabriel Valley and Los Angeles County. The purpose is to identify historical patterns of injustice and how these patterns are in effect in the current time. The goal is to change systems.

The Center engages in a restorative justice process to repair those injuries.  The process employed is defined as Collective Learning Circles. The circles are a process to equip those involved with a process to explore framing conversations while acknowledging the emotions which may emerge as a result of the process.  The Center says the Circles provide soft places for hard conversations.

The process focuses on determining a definition of racism which will allow for establishing interventions for harm.

Mr. Williams indicated that racism is a productive process.  It produces something of value to some while it disadvantages others.  The impacts are real.

Mr. Williams then describe some of the processes the Center uses.  These focus on retreats in specific locations.  Those attending see the locations where events occurred, learn the history of the events and have the opportunity to discuss with others. The retreats include: Reconciling Pasadena, the Summer Pilgrimage to the South and the Asian American Pilgrimage.  Those interested can register at The Center for Restorative Justice website.

The attendees engaged in a question and answer session after the presentation.

The group will meet again on April 18, 2026 at 12:00 PM PST on our usual link. We are working to schedule another presentation for the 18th and will send an announcement when a program has been established.