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.
I love the Unitarian Universalist (UU) 8th Principle. It provides a vision and a map for how we might elevate the foundational values of Unitarian Universalism in a society with a tragic racist legacy.
Inspired by the 8th Principle, the UUCF Racial Justice Steering Committee’s Teaching Truth Campaign launched at its Jan. 15 teach-in to counteract the governor’s efforts to ban critical race theory (which is not taught in K-12 schools) and oppose the ongoing racist and transphobic assault on educators, students and public schools. Following this, the RJSC is attempting to cultivate an accountable coalition for social change locally. Here are some actions you can take, made available through UUCF’s developing partnerships.
Educate
The Racial Justice Steering Committee at UUCF has agreed to sponsor HEAL (Honest Education Action and Leadership) Together, an amazing national effort to counter the current assault on education. I encourage you to check out their website and take their pledge if you are moved to. They do great educational work and offer a series of training sessions. Some topics include: The Manufacturing of Culture Wars and Policies of Division, Policies That Advance Racial Equity, and How Public Education Is the Foundation for a Multiracial Democracy. Register here to attend a training.
Advocate
4 Public Education is organizing a simple and timely action. Loudoun County has been a centerpoint for the assault on education. Governor Glenn Youngkin is planning to amend HB 1138 to unelect all Loudoun County school board members and force them to run for re-election 9 weeks before the filing deadline. HB 1138 was an uncontroversial bipartisan bill to stagger school board terms in Loudoun. The Youngkin amendment is tacking on an undemocratic power grab. Call or write state representatives and simply tell them to keep HB 1138 to its initial purpose and reject Youngkin’s amendment. Find your representatives here. Here is a list of all Virginia delegates. Here is a list of all Virginia state senators.
Witness
FCPS Pride began the effort in Fairfax to speak against the transphobic and racist hostility targeting the school board. There is an ongoing opportunity to show up to support values of inclusion that the actual majority believes in. Upcoming school board meetings are on Apr. 28, May 12 and May 26. They are always held at 7 p.m. at Luther Jackson Middle School, 3020 Gallows Rd., Falls Church. You can sign up to speak either in person or virtually here. The same link works for every regular school board meeting (the sign-up opens between 10 and 2 days before the meeting). If you sign up you will be entered into a lottery and may not be selected. Even if not selected, it is helpful to sign up. You can also find more information about board meetings here.
All of these actions are attempts to transform ourselves, our community and our world. Making an intentional change, regardless of the outcome, opens us up to new possibilities.
I am a resource. If you are interested in participating in any of this work but aren’t sure what you can commit to or how to start, email me and we’ll talk about it! It is joyful to be helpful. I want you to feel connected and to get the most from the congregation’s good works.
Whatever you can do, thank you.
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