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May 5, 2008

Dear Ones,

Over the years I have been puzzled and frustrated by the inability of our Association to provide UUs with transformational education about racism in America and to promote effective strategies for “undoing” the beliefs, attitudes and structures that perpetuate racism’s destructive influence in our own congregations as at every level of society. Both our religious traditions enjoy a proud history of enlightened advocacy of racial equality from the foundational years of our country through the Civil Rights struggle of the early 60’s. Yet it sometimes seems that we were permanently disabled by the failure of interracial negotiations at several pivotal General Assemblies in the late 60’s. Black members of our Association were disappointed when the white majority reacted with reflexive angst during the first real tests of financial and positional power-sharing. White denominational activists, for their part, felt dismayed and threatened when black UUs seemed to be rejecting the warm partnership with white allies that had helped them win their fundamental civil rights. Since that time, we have had a terrible time freeing ourselves from the mutual mistrust, resistance and disappointment of those trying years.

Not that the white supermajority that remained by the early 70’s has not struggled valiantly to treat the wound sustained in those years that still festers in our movement. Many programs have been developed and piloted: the Jubilee I and II training series; the Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop for congregations in search; the Journey Towards Wholeness initiative and its current iteration, the JTW Transformation Team concept; the JUUST Change Anti-Oppression Consultancy’s Weaving the Fabric of Diversity workshop series, just to name a few. Several years ago the book Soul Work made a big splash. An edited transcript of conversations by ministers and congregational leaders about racism, the book contained materials for use in guiding discussions in our congregations. Last year several folks from UCW and I attended the annual Antiracist Conclave in NYC that was creatively organized as an “open space” learning environment. Most recently, the UUA has been beta-testing a new 12-seminar/24-session program, part of the Tapestry of Faith lifespan RE curriculum, called Building the World We Dream About, a UU “Welcoming Congregation” series which engages participants in understanding the role of race and ethnicity in their personal and congregational lives.

Last week I attended the 2 ½  day "Undoing Racism" workshop offered by the People's Institute for Survival and Beyond at Marymount Colege Tarrytown, NY. I found it to be, as I expected it to be (because I have been involved this year with the regional sponsor of the workshops, the Anti-Racist Alliance:) an invigorating, inspiring and truly transformative experience for every single person in the room. I have never, ever seen Unitarian Universalists affected that profoundly by any of our own antiracism trainings. I made a list of at least ten ways the People’s Institute corrects mistakes we chronically make in our own efforts to comprehend racism. For one thing, the trainings are multiracial and for another a rigorous covenant keeps us all from evading the challenge of honest exchange. The trainers are deeply compassionate, deeply informed people who have been steeped in the PISAB analysis for 15 years or more. Every cell in their bodies tells the story of the dirty work of the idea of race. I know it is a substantial commitment of time, but I cannot recommend it too strongly to you all.

The workshop in Bridgeport will take place June 8-10, 2008, 2008 @ Mount Aery Baptist Church (73 Frank Street, Bridgeport, CT 06604) on Sunday (6:30pm-8:30pm), Monday (9am-7pm) and Tuesday (9am-3pm). The cost for the three day program is $350. A ½ price student rate is available and I can help some folks out with scholarships from our Leadership Education fund. I also know the trainers will allow no one to be turned away for lack of money. You can find registration material and more info on the scrolling calendar at www.uuwestport.org. I do not lightly dedicate one whole Soundings letter to this topic. Trust me, this training is a life-changer.

Courage in the work,

Margie

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