Considering People of Color and the Proposed 8th UU Principle
UUC’s 8th Principle Process Team is planning more education, Listening Circles, and discussions. As we move through this discernment process, the team invites you to consider how our Unitarian Universalist faith emphasizes that truth is always unfolding, and that learning and growth, both spiritually and emotionally, are holy practices. [1]
In this spirit, we offer some questions for you to ponder: Why was the 8th principle proposed and why are Unitarian Universalist churches adopting it? Why does Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism endorse it? [2]
You can practice our 4th Principle, to affirm and promote “a free and responsible search for truth and meaning,” by engaging in your own learning about the struggles of People of Color in our predominantly white Unitarian Universalist spaces.
Here are some resources for you to explore:
Websites
The 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism
Black Lives of UU Organizing Collective Urges Adoption of 8th Principle in Unitarian Universalism
UUA: Widening the Circle of Concern with downloadable Commission on Institutional Change Report
Unitarian Universalist Books Addressing Experiences of Race Within Our Denomination
Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry ed. by Mitra Rahnema
Revisiting the Empowerment Controversy by Mark Morrison-Reed
Darkening the Doorways: Black Trailblazers and Missed Opportunities in Unitarian Universalism by Mark Morrison-Reed
Other books
Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the U.S. by Lenny Duncan
Contacts
If you have questions, please contact Jewels Mellen or Catherine Ruha.
Footnotes:
- Beloved Conversations Virtual: Meditations on Race and Ethnicity. Lesson Three Introductory Video and Lesson Objectives. The Fahs Collaborative @ Meadville Lombard. 2021.
- https://medium.com/outfront/black-lives-of-uu-organizing-collective-urges-adoption-of-8th-principle-in-unitarian-universalism-377480e615ef .
Who is the point person(s) to whom I can address questions, feedback, etc?
For questions, contact Jewels Mellen at julie@juliemellen.com or Catherine Ruha at ruhac@outlook.com.