Running simultaneously with the tumultuous electoral and pandemic news, we are witnessing the remarkably persistent determination by all people of good will to end the evil of racism.
This is wonderful good news, and a wonderful opportunity to root out (at last!) our cursed inheritances from the enslavement of Black people, and the racism that targeted dark-skinned people as existed in ancient Greece and Rome.
The last several weeks have seen long-standing monuments to the military and political defenders of slavering being taken down, and remarkably without much opposition! We are in an unprecedented sea-change in favor of the abandonment of race hatred, and both examination and destruction of systemic racism.
The elections this November are very important, but eliminating the fear, loathing, and hatred of people who are a little different from ourselves is more basic, and more important than any single election season.
Action at UUCE
Are we really, finally going to do this? I sense our UUCE religious community wants to be a part of this moment, to do our part and make the dream come true after 400 years.
What can we do as individuals, and as a congregation to seize the time and help bring into being a world made fair, and all her people one?
Join a 21 Day Challenge
A 21 Day Challenge calls us to read new authors, new works, and be exposed by new ideas we wouldn’t have seen otherwise. Each of us watching or reading insights aids in dismantling racism. Eddie Moore has developed several of these types of challenges, one adapted by the American Bar Association includes longer readings, or the Holderness School version includes videos.
Join BLUU
BLUU stands for Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism, and was formed in 2015 to amplify Black voices in Unitarian Universalism. UU congregations have historically been very white, and BLUU works to provide support, information and resources to Black UUs, even ones in majority white congregations. BLUU also advocates for Black issues to UU leadership like the UUA. Find out more on BLUU’s website.
Begin an ADORE Group
ADORE stands for A Dialog On Race & Ethnicity. ADORE groups function as discussion groups, where the focus stays on issues of race and ethnicity. Meetings often include open discussions and examinations of different readings or videos, all with a focus on antiracism.
Vote to Adopt the 8th Principle
The 8th Principle was drafted by the UUA and is up for consideration by UU congregations everywhere. Like we discussed a few weeks ago, the 8th Principle calls UU congregations to work to dismantle systems of white supremacy both in ourselves, and in the organizations and institutions that form our communities. The wording has changed since my last message on the subject.
We covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
What are your thoughts?
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