cyclical DYNAMIC OF VIOLENCE
Violence leaves no corner of our community untouched.
A mother's midnight worry becomes morning ritual: checking if her children can safely play outside. A neighbor's daily walking route turns into a map of fear. These aren't just stories - they're the lived reality of our neighborhoods.
But here's what most miss…those causing this fear carry deep wounds themselves.
Growing up surrounded by violence doesn't just leave scars - it rewrites what feels normal.
Our community's first response? Push those who cause harm away. Label them as "other." But this rejection deepens the divide as they are vilified, stigmatized and alienated by their communities. This collective rejection only exasperates the disconnect they already feel and their trauma-driven, defense mechanisms end up further dehumanizing those they live amongst.
On one side stand community members living in fear. On the other, stand those who cause harm, themselves shaped by years of community trauma.
Each side's pain feeds the other's actions.
But when we slam doors, build walls, and turn neighbors into strangers, we only guarantee tomorrow's violence…
…as this “us versus them” dynamic becomes a cyclical issue which ultimately perpetuates violence.
The Village Revival Project offers a different path.
Through art - whether visual, spoken, or performed - we create sacred spaces where both sides can finally see each other's humanity.
Here, a lifetime of unsaid truths finds voice. Pain meets understanding. Fear meets story. "Them" and "us" start to fade.
This isn't just about reducing violence - it's about remembering we're all part of one community. When we heal together, we break cycles that have trapped generations. True justice isn't about punishment - it's about restoration, understanding, and the courage to see each other whole.
