Within the last week, we witnessed and grieved a now-familiar travesty: the wanton, inhumane taking of human life. We know that racism and sexism are part of the disease that led to the taking of Soon Chung Park, age 74; Hyun Jung Grant, age 51; Suncha Kim, age 69; Yong Yue, age 63; Delaina Ashley Yaun, age 33; Paul Andre Michels, age 54; Xiaojie Tan, age 49; and Daoyou Feng, age 44, in Atlanta. We also mourn the ten lives taken in Denver: Denny Stong, 20; Neven Stanisic, 23; Rikki Olds, 25; Tralona Bartkowiak, 49; Suzanne Fountain, 59; Eric Talley, 51; Teri Leiker, 51; Kevin Mahoney, 61; Lynn Murray, 62 and Jody Waters, 65. We grieve these family members stolen from their loved ones, these folks who hoped, who lost and loved, who had particular life stories that were worth knowing. We lament that collectively we have not learned the cost of diminishment or hatred.
And our commitment. At UUCA, we commit to leading bold and compassionate lives that seek to create the Beloved Community. We recognize that education and policy and practice changes are necessary for this work.
This year, we are dedicated to having UUCA engage the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change’s, Widening the Circle of Concern report, an analysis of structural racism and white supremacy culture within the UUA, and its accompanying recommended action steps. We do this work for many reasons:
- So that we can reduce and eliminate such examples of racial insensitivity that harm those that we care about and those whom we haven’t even had the opportunity to meet;
- Because our Unitarian and Universalist theology has led us to proclaim and live out the mandate of an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, Beloved Community;
- That we all may be aware of how America’s racialized and colonial history weaves itself into and affects us in the most intimate of ways and in broad and systematic ways;
- That we can imagine together new ways of being that are healing and repairing.
We are delaying the launch of our public discussions of the report so that we can begin by hearing from our own people of color. Their voices and perspectives are essential in understanding the critical importance of our engagement.
Your participation is vital, and your preparation critical. Please read the 3 pages that comprise the Preface section of the Widening the Circle of Concern report. (Audio versions are also available via the section links.) I also recommend watching the GA 2020 #214 General Session III (Commission on Institutional Change Report video recording) from our last UUA General Assembly.
This is a learning journey, but it also will be tied to concrete next steps. I have formed a Widening the Circle Taskforce to specifically consider the action steps identified in the report and to make recommendations about which to implement with the greatest urgency at UUCA so that we can live into new patterns of behavior that are life-giving to all and, especially, to people of color. I look forward to the Taskforce sharing them with you.
Consider this just one of many upcoming communications. If you have questions or comments please let me know,
Rev. Anastassia, on behalf of your ministers and our committed congregation