~~~ PAST ACTIONS ~~~
Book Discussion
How the Word Is Passed:A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith is a thoroughly engaging and thoughtful tour of monuments and landmarks of slavery brought to life by the stories of people living the present day reality. “It is an inter-generational story of how slavery has been central in shaping our nation’s collective history, and ourselves.”
In pursuit of USR’s commitment to the 8th Principle, the Racial Justice Team led a book discussion on two Tuesdays, November 16 and November 30, 2021 via Zoom. Mary Mogerley and Janice Lohr led the discussion through the lens of history, memory and nostalgia as defined by Clint Smith in his section on Monticello. In the first session we discussed Goree Island, New Orleans, Monticello and the Whitney Plantation. The second session focused on Blandford, Angola, Galveston and New York City.
The conversation was greatly enhanced and enlivened by the participation of Rev. Mack Brandon, pastor of the Metropolitan AME Zion Church.
2020 Election: Fighting Voter Suppression
42 members and friends of USR (plus 7 friends and family members) wrote nearly 6,000 postcards to people in 6 southern and southwestern states between April and early October 2020 reminding them to check their registration and/or urging them to take advantage of early voting. We worked under the non-partisan Reclaim Our Vote which provided the names, addresses and the changing messages.
Underground Railroad Racial Justice Initiative
For nine weeks during Zoom Sunday Services, congregants gathered to explore the journey towards liberation that drove some desperate African Americans to escape enslavement through the Underground Railroad. This project became part of a journey towards reckoning with the traditional historical narrative and racial justice.
Click to enlarge.
Book Discussion: Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own Times
According to Eddie S. Glaude Jr., we live in the after times, when the promise of Black Lives Matter and the attempt to achieve a new America have been challenged once again. We have witnessed another failure of America to face the untruths that it tells itself about race. Glaude illuminates James Baldwin’s thoughts and experiences as they relate to the time that we are in.
Study of the Proposed 8th Principle
“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 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 institution.”
The Unitarian Universalist Association says, “Our existing UU principles call us to affirm, among other things, the inherent worth and dignity of each person; justice equity, and compassion in human relations; and the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all. Many UUs contend that the absence of any mention of racism and other oppressions is a glaring omission.”
Thus, the 8th Principle has been proposed and passed by more than 40 congregations nationwide, including our own. The USR Racial Justice Team along with the USR Minister and Board are leading our own implementation of the 8th Principle as we anticipate an eventual vote at General Assembly.
Watch “The 8th Principle,” a sermon delivered by the Rev. Dr. Sarah Lenzi on January 17, 2021:
