Anti-Racism Commitment
At this moment in our country’s history, with the swell of uprising against racism, anti-Blackness, and white supremacy, we’re called upon to employ all of our Unitarian Universalist Principles in service of this cause as we emphasize the need to go beyond being “not racist” to being “anti-racist”.
Principle #1 is that we value the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We are called at this time to firmly state that Black Lives Matter. Period. End of sentence. Without any additional qualifying remarks.
Principle #2 is that we value justice, equality, and compassion. We’re called at this time to work for true structural changes that will bring justice and equality for Black people in all our social systems.
Principle #3 calls us to accept one another and work for spiritual growth. We need to come together, and support each other through the difficult spiritual growth of confronting systems of white supremacy and white privilege. We can all support and also challenge each other to do this often painful personal growth. We don’t need to do this alone.
Principle #4 is our commitment to search for truth and meaning. Now is the time to listen to Black voices – read books and articles, watch movies and YouTube videos – to understand the reality of racism for people of color. These are the voices that will guide us to the changes that our country needs to make.
Principle #5 is calls us to use the democratic process. We can use our power in numbers to bring systemic changes by advocating, calling for policy changes, and voting for candidates who are committed to anti-racism work.
Principle #6 envisions a world community of peace, liberty, and justice. That community cannot exist only for some, it must exist for all, otherwise it is a farce.
And finally Principle #7 is our understanding of the interconnected web of existence. We’re called to action here not to do for others, but because our own humanity is inherently connected to the humanity of others. As Lilla Watson, an Indigenous Australian artist, activist, and scholar said, “if you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
The First Parish Social Action Committee is committed to doing this work and supporting all of our community with resources for learning, ideas for action, and support for the emotions that will come. June, 2020