My Story
Racial Justice Consulting is the culmination of a lifetime of passion, education and experience. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you on your journey to justice. When we walk together we realize the vision!
Samantha
Harrison
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Marketing Executive
Awareness
The journey to justice begins with the awareness that something is not right. For me, the seeds were sown in early childhood. I attended Hebrew School after public school hours, where in addition to learning the history of the religion, customs and practices, I was taught about anti-Semitism and the Holocaust which frightened and confounded me. Outside of school I became aware of Jewish adults expressing prejudice towards other targeted groups as others did toward us. I became angered and confused and embarked on a path of introspection, understanding and healing.
Appreciation
Though I had next to no personal contact with Black Americans, as a child they represented my “heroes” in sports and music. I was struck by the contrast between the high regard I held people such as Julius Erving and Jimi Hendrix and the racial stereotyping I would from hear from Whites across ethnic groups. Concurrently, my curiosity led me to learn my favorite rock bands, such as the Rolling Stones, were inspired by artists such as Howlin Wolf and Muddy Waters, and I was compelled to dive deeper into cross-cultural appreciation.
Education
My passion for music expanded my palate to jazz, blues and music from parts of the world I had not previously considered. Songs detailing these artists' experience of oppression and quest for justice further inspired me. In 1991 shortly after the racial unrest in Crown Heights and the brutal police beating of Rodney King, I began my graduate studies at Columbia University. A course in Racism and Mental Health transformed my life and set me on the path that I have been consciously traveling since.
Action
As I learned about systemic racism and became aware of how I and others are socialized into White Supremacy Culture, I felt compelled to act. Initially I attempted, rather ineffectively, to show people in my life that they were wrong, racist and didn’t know it, and I was going to be the one to set them straight. As you might imagine this did nothing to help the cause or my relationships. Through seeking guidance and trial and error, I began to find ways to engage friends and family in understanding how oppression operates among us, often outside of our awareness, and exploring how we can be part of the solution.
Advocacy
Over time I became more skilled in these conversations, and further advanced my studies in psychology, race and culture. I began to work more systematically with individuals and organizations who shared my passion for justice, but often did not understand the obstacles preventing them from realizing their values. I have since worked with people of incredibly diverse backgrounds who are striving to undo racism and other forms of oppression. With some incredible partners I’ve met along the way, I continue what has become my life's work with the team at Racial Justice Consulting.