We are in the final stages of our book on the past 15 years of anti-racism in the Unitarian Universalist Association. Here are the themes that are emerging for us--please give us your thoughts,additions and comments.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Timeline

Welcome and thanks for visiting.
Please scroll to end to see a version of our basic timeline and to add events.
To see and comment on our draft themes, please scroll down!!!!
Please identify your posts so we can contact you for further information and to include your words in our project (we cannot use anonymous comments).

You can identify yourself by sending a message to antiracism15@earthlink.net if that is more private.

Monday, May 29, 2006

the work is not done and must be continued (theme one)

1. The work is not done and must be continued if we are to grow in our Unitarian Universalist faith because JTW is the only thing that might save our relevance:
• It grows out of the history of our movment and our continued discomfort with issues of race and class.
• We cannot be who we aspire to be without it
• The demographics of our nation are changing-- negotiating identity in a multicultural world is critical today & tomorrow
• Our youth expect it and are leading the charge. Many will not stay if it is not done Many will not return without it.
• It provides another entry point for building a common theology

this work is at the core of our identity (theme two)

2. This work is at the core of our identity as UUs and is an essentially theological and spiritual issue for us deeply interwoven with our history
• We know our heritage of being on the front lines—and we know our shame such as the black empowerment controversy
• Many of us are “come-in-ers” and as such fear anything that might divide us (i.e. race, theological diversity) and as a result are somewhat conflict averse
• We can confuse our largest goals (i.e. a world where are all treated equally) with the need for intermediate strategies

anti-racism work has caused dissension and misunderstandings (theme three)

3. JTW has caused dissension and misunderstanding which include:
• That it can only be done one way
• That it calls for quotas
• That it is simply an extreme example of PC language.
• That it has been abandoned in the administration of William Sinkford
• That it is another expression of the “culture of victimhood”
• That it is not relevant to virtually all-white, middle class congregations
• That it is not relevant to us “nonracist” liberals

UU theological grounding is for anti-racism emerging (theme four)

4. The initial theological grounding for the work was not given as much attention and yet what has emerged is the importance of this as a theological issue and as an issue linked to theology.
• We need to reclaim universal salvation as a core concept
• Embracing something larger than the will of one individual is key to this work—i.e. the “creative good” of a community
• Evil as “othering” (Jeffrey Means)
• Importance of knowing and reckoning with our own history
• “Soul Work”, the work of Paul Rasor, Thandeka and others has deepened the theological issue.

the focus of the work is at the associational level (theme five)

5. The work so far has been mostly at the leadership level of the UUA—those leaders who have been deeply involved have found it transformational.
• Specific groups: UUA board, UU staff procedures, MFC, theological schools (mixed)
• Selected districts have taken the lead
• Selected congregations have been involved in a variety of ways
• Congregational polity has posed special challenges to doing this work
• Youth have been among those taking leadership.
• Infrastructure for doing the work has been built through the hard work of dedicated individuals.
 Identity and caucus groups essential because of the difficulties of finding support in congregations
 UUA structures (though vulnerable to changes in leadership and administration)

JTW started tightly focused, has been broadening (theme six)

6. The Journey Towards Wholeness initiative started with a tight focus and has been broadening ever since.
• From a focus on black/white to include other ethnicities
• From a focus on a Christian theological base to include other theologies
• Focus on racial oppression broadening to include other oppressions/identities
• Once one program model and now a menu of flexible ones and the consultancy approach of JUUST Change.
• Moving from an oppressed/oppressor model to include multiple identities
• From teaching to a model of shared inquiry
• Toward an emphasis on accountability to people of color
• From a centralized authority/top down approach to include ideas that bubble up from congregations

individuals have sacrificed much; for some, the work is dangerous (theme seven)

7. Individuals have sacrificed much for this work; for some, the work has also been dangerous.
• People of color have faced a huge tax on time and spiritual energy
• Because of the low numbers of people of color, they are pulled in many directions and often thrust immediately into leadership without context or support.
• White allies have been branded and have also suffered loss of congregation

• Seminarians toe perceived “party line”/creed when writing ARAOMC essay for MFC
• Participants in early trainings felt mocked and criticized as unrepentant racists
• The perception was there was no safe way to critique the program or its trainers/proponents
• Individuals have been wounded by the work and it is not clear what has been done to heal them.
• A clear learning has been the need for chaplaincy and pastoral care as central to this work.

the work has challenged, been resisted (theme eight)

8. This work has challenged UUs in their core identity and as such has been resisted. Resistance to the work, for substantive and cosmetic reasons, greatly slowed the progress.
• Liberal tendency to see selves as already “there”—i.e. work not needed for liberals or because we are white and middle class and don’t have members from non-white groups.
• Confusion about UU identity—theological and otherwise—has meant this work is more threatening because no clear lens of “UU” to look at it through.
• Connects with issues of theological identity
• Has been seen as a form of liberal “totalitatarianism” with a prescribed way that must fit all
• It challenges the individuality so central to UUs and the USA.
• A false dichotomy was unintentionally created when the focus became doing our internal work versus inviting other POC in
• Works against conflict avoidant tendencies in UUs.

stakeholders need to be vested (theme nine)

9. Key stakeholders were not adequately vested in doing the work and yet have become involved as it went forward.
• Professional ministry
• Religious educators
• District leaders
• Congregational presidents
• Youth and young adults

the work since Calgary has been a bridge (theme ten)

10. Anti-racism work in the years since Calgary has served as a bridge to new approaches which have emerged:
• From black/white to include other ethnicities
• From a Christian-based model to one more able to include other theologies (challenge: still lacks coherent theological basis, a la UUism)
• From a focus on racism to include other oppressions/identities (challenge: continue work on hardest: race)
• From one model to include others (challenge: maintain coherence without becoming dogma/creed)
• From one focused on the UUA to include congregations, districts, youth
• From a “oppressed/oppressor” model to include multiple identities (challenge: heal o’d & o’r in each)
• From a model based on teaching/enforcing to include humility, genuine inquiry (challenge: to encourage the resistant)
• From a top-down to model to include bottom-up (challenge: find what works in congregations & adopt widely)
• From a loose model of intent to one with more understanding of need for accountability (challenge: need more clearly articulated systems of accountability
• From a model centered on addressing white attitudes to one that focuses on different needs of different groups (challenge: Need to have specific support for POC group and their issues and training for them to grow in their own awareness

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

history's impact on the present

The historian who lives within a community of faith does not sit on a pedestal outside history. He shares the agonies, the frustrations, and the sense of promise in history. Like the jurist, he is aware of precedents of the past which are pregnant with new relevance, new life. Therefore, also in order to take time by the forelock, the historian must participate with a sense of social responsibility in the processes that define current conflicts and policies. The church historian accordingly writes of the past not merely for the past itself, but for its impact on the present.

--James Luther Adams

Sunday, July 31, 2005

questions about this journey

What do you see as the outcomes, positive or not, of anti-racism work within the UUA since the General Assembly at Calgary?

What specifically is different about the UUA or UU congregations you know because of this work?

What one event, occasion, interaction, etc. stands out for you personally around this work and how did it affect you?

A decade from now, what do you think you might tell a young person who asks you about this work and its significance?

Whose leadership has affected you most personally?

If you could change one event or decision that was made since Calgary, what would it be?

Why does this work matter to Unitarian Universalists?

Do you have documents, sermons, reports, essays or any other written materials related to this
work that you would be willing to share?

Finally, what is/are your role/connection/contact(s) with this work?

thank you!

Thursday, July 21, 2005

Add to Our Timeline

Here is our most recent timeline. Please post any additions or comments.

DRAFT JFC Timeline
Journey From Calgary
08 June 2006

all dates approximate unless source [in square brackets] provided:

GA Resolutions on: Desegregation (61 GR); Public School Integration (61 GR);
Civil Rights (62 GR);
Freedom Fund (64 GR);
Federal Registrars for Voting (65 GR); Mississippi Challenge (65 GR); To Bear Witness (65 BR); Consensus on Racial Justice (66 BR);
The American Indian (67 GR);
Black Affairs Council (68 BR); National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (68 GR); Self-Determination for Blacks and Other Ethnic Groups (68 GR);
Counteracting Institutional Racism (69 BR);
Countering Institutional Racism (70 BR); Funding of Black and White Action (70 BR); Indian Rights (70 GR);
Full Funding of the Black Affairs Council (71 BR);
Funding of Programs for Racial Justice (72 BR);
Indian Affairs (73 GR);
Native Americans (75 BR);
Opposing Extradition of Dennis Banks (76 GR); Racial Bigotry and Busing Issue (76 GR);
Women and Religion (77 BR);
Observance of the 25th Anniversary of "Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka" Decision (78 BR); Attempted Assassination of Vernon Jordan (80 GR);
[http://www.uua.org/actions/racial-justice/index.html]


“Black Empowerment Controversy” 10/67 – 6/76
1968 GA in Cleveland
1969 GA in Boston—walkout by Black Caucus, youth caucus, others


1978
City Center Church Advisory Committee created by Business Resolution “Special Needs of Center-City”
at GA, Boston 1978. Becomes Urban Concerns Advisory Committee in 1980; then finally
the Urban Concerns & Ministry committee in 1981 [UrbHist]


1980
CCCAC renames itself as UCAC 1980 [UrbHist]

1981
UCAC renames itself Urban Concerns & Ministry committee 1981 [UrbHist]
UUA Board adopts internal anti-racism imperative June, 1981 [JTWSHp2, uua.org, WHNPAp1]
Institutional Racism Audit commissioned by UUA (BoT?) 1981 [JTWSHp2]
BoT implements 25 of 32 recommendations of Institutional Racism Audit Report [WHNPA]

1982
Network of Black UUs formed [DMRT]
Common Ground II: LRY dissolved and YRUU created [SRCP11]


1983
GA Resolutions, Vancouver, BC 1983:
“Amerasian Children” urging adoption (GR)
“A Call to the Nation” to march on D.C. in Aug for MKL+20 (GR)
“[stop] Government…Violation of Human Rights in Central America and Elsewhere” (GR)
“Equal Rights Amendment” (GR)
“U.S. Non-Intervention in Nicaragua” lauding Congressional prohibitions (GR)
[http://www.uua.org/actions/chronological/1983.html]

Empowerment: One Denomination's Quest for Racial Justice 1967-1982 published by Commission on Appraisal GA 1983 [http://www.uua.org/coa/reports_issued.html]
Task Force on Racism, suggested by Comm. on Appraisal, appointed by BoT 1983 [WHNPAp1]

1984
GA Resolutions, Columbus, Ohio 1984:
“Central America” extending last year’s non-intervention to all Central America (GR)
“Concerning Central American Refugees” urging their sanctuary (GR)
“Housing” urging local & national support of low-cost housing (BR)
“On Children, Poverty and Violence” urging support of parents (GR)
“Preserving Civil Rights” for Title IX and pro-affirmative action (GR)
“Urban Crisis” urging ministry in urban areas (BR)
[http://www.uua.org/actions/chronological/1984.html]

Task Force on Racism reports to GA 1984 [WHNPAp1]
UUA Board appoints the Racism Monitoring and Assessment team [SRCp11]
lasts at least through June, 2001 [www.uua.org/TRUS/minutes062021-01.html]


1985
GA Resolutions, Atlanta, Georgia 1985:
“Establishment of a Black Concerns Working Group” (BR)
“Interfaith Action for Economic Justice” (GR)
“Poverty and Unemployment” urging US government to act against (GR)
“Sanctuary and Government Surveillance” urging fundraising for Sanctuary trial (GR)
“UUA Opposition to Apartheid” (BR)
“Sanctuary” urging support in a variety of ways (BR)
“UUA Protest of US Central American Intervention” (GR)
[http://www.uua.org/actions/chronological/1985.html]
UUA Board Resolutions:
“Resolution on Central America” endorsing & encouraging anti-war protest January 1985
[http://www.uua.org/actions/international/85central-america.html]
“Resolution on South Africa” endorsing anti-apartheid protests January 1985
[http://www.uua.org/actions/international/85south-africa.html]

BCWG Black Concerns Working Group created at GA, Atlanta 1985 [JTWSHp3; uua.org/ga]
created by Business Resolution “Establishment of a Black Concerns Working Group”
charged with implementing recommendations of TFoR [WHNPAp1; text of resolution]
becomes Jubilee Working Group in 1997 [JTWSHp3]


1986
inaugural “Martin Luther King, Jr.” U.S. holiday, 20 Jan 1986 [WHNPA]
BCWG first meeting, Boston [WHNPAp1]

GA Resolutions, Rochester, New York 1986:
“Opposing AIDS Discrimination” (GR)
Board Resolutions:
“Anti-Arab Violence” against the idea that “Arab = terrorist” Jan 86
“Opposition to Military Assistance to Apartheid South Africa” Jan 86
“Sanctuary Fund” June 86
“Grape Boycott” in support thereof Oct 86
[http://www.uua.org/actions/chronological/1986.html]

1987
GA Resolutions, Little Rock, Arkansas 1987:
“Ending Gender-Based Wage Inequity” (GR)
“Ending Hunger” (GR)
“Right to Choose” (GR)
“Supporting Legal Equity of Gays and Lesbians” (BR)
Board Resolutions:
“Arizona General Assembly 1988 Site” refusing until AZ celebrates MLK Day April
[http://www.uua.org/actions/chronological/1987.html]


1988
GA Resolutions, Palm Springs, California 1988:
“Concern for the Minority Peoples of Romania” (GR?)
“Support Veterans' Peace Convoy and Justice for the People of Nicaragua” (RIW)
[http://www.uua.org/actions/chronological/1988.html]

AAUUM created 1988 [JTWSHp3]
BCT “Beyond Categorical Thinking” Program begins [JTW96p30]
C*UUYAN begins meeting?

1989
GA Resolutions, New Haven, Connecticut 1989:
“Equal Opportunity in Ministerial Settlement” (BR)
“Proposals of the Common Vision Planning Committee” against homophobia (BR)
“The Refugee Internment Camp at Harlingen, Texas” (RIW)
[http://www.uua.org/actions/chronological/1989.html]

BoT unanimously reaffirms “Racism Imperative” and charge of BCWG [WHNPAp1]
Office of Racial Inclusiveness formed [JTWSHp3]
“How Open the Door?” published [JTW96p30]
Welcoming Congregation program unveiled at UUMA Professional Days [SRCp12]


1990
Chicago race conference with Angela Davis (no date) (no memory of this in Mid-Size conf attendees?)
UUA Board directs administration to develop feasibility plan for racial & cultural diversity [SRCp12]


1991
Crossroads Training at Meadville 1991
straight-up Crossroads, no UU overlay
led by Bill Gardiner and Joe Barndt
failed attempt to create a congregational consultancy program; early ‘90s [JP030219]
is this what Buehrens spoke about in his interview?
Ten-year plan to achieve diversity presented to UUA Board [SRCp12]


1992
“Racial & Cultural Diversity in Unitarian Universalism” Resolution passed at GA, Calgary [SRCp12]
Denny, Mel, Susan S-B, et al, expand scope from Pickett’s audit
affiliates respond to UUA Board’s report (*not* resolution!) Long-Term Initiative for Racial and
Cultural Diversity [SRCp12]
RCDTF appointed by BoT due to resolution
UUA Board ARAOMC audit (no date)
intentional new starts early ‘90’s?
All Souls Durham; THE Atlanta; Restoration Tulsa; others?
Jubilee Workshops
Meadville initiative c.1992-‘98
UUNIA created [W.XIV.2p25]


1993
St. Louis meeting 30 Jan 1993 [JTW96p64]
Thomas Jefferson Ball & resulting peaceful protest @ GA in Charlotte [SRCp12]
James Brown appointed first black DE, Southwest District [DMRT]


1994
Young Kim told “other colors come later—black/white now” at Berkeley Fellowship [Kim int’w]
Gardiner and Hoover, trainers
failed attempt to create a congregational consultancy program; mid ‘90s [JP030219]


1995
UU Religious Professionals of Color formed 1995
LUUNA created 1995 [JTWSH]
YACC Young Adults of Color Caucus created June
Kristin Harper, Alyce Gowdy Wright & Danielle Gladd [YAARH]


1996
Jubilee World Weekend trainings begin [JtCp7]
District Teams – Mass Bay (96), TJD (99), JPD (99)…
Bill Gardiner knows the number of teams
JTW report given at GA in Indianapolis [JTW96]
LUUNA Baltimore papers: JTW “only black and white” [SRCp13]
Diversity of Ministry Team created [TRL0109]
“Weaving the Fabric of Diversity” published [WFD]
AAUUM and LUUNA meet, plan organization that eventually becomes DRUUMM [SRCp13]
LREDA Fall Conference focuses on anti-racism and religious education Oct 21 [LT]
The Board votes to hold an AR assessment at its Feb ’97 meeting,
and encourages local chapters to do their own assessments
Pilot Project Program 1996 – ’98 [RMJTW]
Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley
16 congregations: listed in [RMJTW]
UU Cong. of Atlanta, GA First Unitarian Church of Brooklyn, NY
First UU Soc. of Burlington, VT Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church UU, VA
UU of Greater Lynn, MA Arlington Street Church, Boston, MA
Community Church NYC NY UU Soc. of the Palisades, NJ
Unitarian Church of Montclair, NJ First Unitarian Soc of Plainfield, NJ
Unitarian Church of Evanston, IL Tennessee Valley Unitarian Church, TN
1st Unitarian Church of Detroit, MI First Unitarian Soc of Chicago IL
2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago IL First Unitarian Church of Denver, CO


1997
Jubilee Working Group name changed from BCWG 1997 [JTWSH]
Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation Committee created [SRCp13]
appointed by UUA Board, according to Racial & Cultural Diversity Task Force recommend. &
GA Business Resolution “Toward an Anti-Racist Unitarian Universalist Association” in Phoenix
Faith in Action department created 1997 [JTWSHp3]
Mel Hoover, Director? (was in 2000)
DRUUMM created [JTWSHp3; druumm.org]
initially only UU religious professionals [SRCp13]
JTWTC inaugural committee meeting, 19-21 Oct 97 [JTW9710]
joint meeting, JTWTC & Core Team 21 Oct 97 [JTWARC]
Core Team—UUA Anti-Racism Core Organizing Team—forms 97 [YAARH]
failed attempt to create a congregational consultancy program; late ‘90s [JP030219]
LREDA Board conducts anti-racism self-assessment Feb 11-13 [LT]
LREDA members create transformation team, including: [LT]
Tacey Robinson-Harris, Lucy Klaus-Li, Chris Parker, Linda Olson Peebles,
Judith Frediani and Lynn Bacon


1998
UUA & JTWTC begin anti-racism programs favoring a model and analysis from
Crossroads Ministries and the People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond [SRCp14]
Leon & Susan S-B have conversation at Meadville 1998
first YAYA of color Kurt Kuhwald Atlanta 1998?
JTWTC meeting 14-15 May 98 [JTW9805]
JTWTC meeting 17-19 Oct 98 [JTW9810]
MRFoC Camp first sponsored by DRUUMM (funded by FUU(?)) in PSWD, PCD, PNWD
Multiracial & Families of Color camp [GA5N had this in ‘99]
Robette Dias, Joseph Lyons & Suzelle Lynch [YAARH]
“Journey Toward Wholeness Sunday” first celebrated CY99 (first 12/98?) [IC9901; RMJTW]
grew out of Whitney Young Sundays [IC9901]


1999
JTW Assessment and Planning Meeting, hosted by JTWTC 30 people Boston Jan 99 [JtCp4]
“Next Steps on the JTW” meeting hosted by JTWTC 85 people Kansas City June 99 [JtCp4]
also known as “stakeholders’ meeting”
Latina/o participants walked out, protesting lack of cultural diversity & sensitivity [SRCp14]
Thandeka: “Why Anti-Racism Will Fail” @Salt Lake City GA[www.uua.org/ga/ga99/238thandeka.html]
ARAO training required for all committees
Core Team sunsets (?) [YAARH]
C*UUYAN first AR workshop before Opus: Camp Evergreen, Longview, WA July
Martin Lavanhar & Joseph Lyons leaders [YAARH]
C*UUYAN Steering Cmte commits to sending Steering Cmte members to UUA AR trainings
November [YAARH]
LREDA Board undergoes AntiRacism training March 22-23 [LT]
LUUNA publishes Bringing Gifts, presenting alternative methods & analysis for racism work [SRCp14]
DRUUMM expands its membership, allowing people who are not religious professionals [SRCp14]


2000
Chicago Café 2000
UUA Board reviewing every session through ARAOMC lens
UUA Board mandate: all committees to have AR training
DOMT Diversity of Ministry Team, a Staff cmte since ’96, adds 2 DRUUMM reps [DMT0109]
DRUUMM YAYA formed
congregational teams 2000+
C*UUYAN leaders & other youth & young adults attend UUA AR training in Providence
also attending: UUA President’s Council, UUA Staff & UUA BoT [YAARH]
C*UUYAN first intentional caucusing PoC, white ID groups @GA [YAARH]
C*UUYAN Linked Identities Networking in Coalition resolution passed at ConCentric August
mandating AO education happen at all C*UUYAN sponsored conferences [YAARH]
YAYAC first Youth & Young Adults of Color Conference NW Church Atlanta 45 folks [YAARH]
YACM first annual strategy & review meeting w/UUA AR consultants [YAARH]
LREDA institutional assessment by Taquiena Boston
DRUUMM struggles with identity & accountability; no founding LUUNA members remain [SRCp15]

2001
“Soul Work” conversation at 25 Beacon St. late January [SW]
first *theological* approach; book published in 2003
then called “Consultation on UU Theologies and the Struggle Against Racism” [JtC p10]
C*UUYAN first self-sponsored AR training Madison, WI K Harper & J Pawelek [YAARH]
Bill Sinkford elected UUA president 2001; assumes office 7/1/01 [BG020710]
JTWTC very staff-driven until c.2001; non-staff-driven by ‘03
APIC: first meeting of Asian Pacific Islanders’ group, @ GA in Cleveland 2001
Young Kim, Mark Watanabe & Karen Eng, by the message boards [GA5N, APIH]
later that summer, Young Kim sends email to ~30 Asian Americans [APIH]
protest against Cleveland “Indians” and “Chief Wahoo” at GA, Cleveland ‘01
“Whose Job Is This, Anyway?” Charlie & Rosemary
LUUNA meeting lacks quorum; names volunteers [UMX0110]
LUUNA reorganizes; appoints steering committee [SRCp15]
C*UUYAN caucusing at GA, and AR trainings at Opus, ConCentric June, August [YAARH]
YACM & C*UUYAN agree to create accountability cmte for AO work post-Aug [YAARH]
Community Conversation on Confronting Racism: Finding Common Ground for Building a Stronger
Community November 10, 2001 Berkeley CA uses WHNPA [RCCCR]
JTWTC re-org under President’s office (their request) fall 01 [JtCp17]
LREDA membership votes to change by-laws: LREDA is ARAOMC welcoming… [LT]


2002
YAYA joint C*UUYAN & YRUU meeting in Tampa AR priorities set for both January [YAARH]
YAYAC 2nd annual conference (first in 2000?) Chicago May [YAARH]
YAYAW 1st annual YAYA white allies conference at another church in Chicago May [YAARH]
C*UUYAN 2nd young adult AR conference (when first?) May [YAARH]
Commission of Appraisal skit at GA in Quebec, 2002
large churches less resistant—Buehrens, Sinkford, Arnason joins, Paula Cole-Jones training?
UUA Restructure on 01 July 2002 [BG020710]
IDBM & AW created out of FIA (some services to Cong Services & LFD) autumn
CDEM split into CS and DS
OCJM created in CS
DoM becomes MPL as part of restructure?
Robette Dias leaves UUA staff
Mel Hoover leaves as JWG dissolved
JTWTC meets with UUA executive staff 2002
DRUUMM forms Youth Council for accountability in C*UUYAN, YRUU August [YAARH]
Staff makes funding for YAYA AR training a budget priority for coming year Sept [YAARH]
C*UUYAN new ARAO policy for all C*UUYAN-sponsored events (GA/O/CC) Oct [YAARH]
Common Ground JTWTC Washington, D.C., San Francisco 2002 [Simona email]
UUMA under Gary Smith doing real ARAOMC work
ministers of color do not find them accountable now? (Robette)
Paula Cole-Jones gives training on “Identity” to JTWTC
YAYA 2 youth & 2 YA “core team” piloted youth weekend workshop 3 New England districts Dec [YAARH]


2003
Soul Work book published 2003 [SW]
“Catalysts for Change: Undoing Racism at Meadville Lombard” January
ongoing, Jan ’04, ’05; w/JTWTC in ‘06
APIC first annual meeting in Berkely, CA, Feb ’03 [GA5N, APIH]
decided to move under DRUUMM umbrella
APIC meetings at GA 2003, ’04, ’05…
Common Ground JTWTC Chicago & Dallas [Simona email]
YAYAC 3rd annual conference March [YAARH]
YAYAW 2nd annual conference March [YAARH]
YAYA Core Team identifies need for YAYA Transformation Team May [YAARH]
C*UUYAN & YRUU formally endorse this request August [YAARH]
YoC 1st bi-annual Leadership Development Conf. for YoC June [YAARH]
LUUNA / DRUUMM tensions
C-UUYAN & YRUU sponsor own AR training
Convocation on future of ARAOMC work in UUA at Union Club, Boston March-ish,
U.T. Saunders leads; Sinkford hosts
JTWTC attempts to change name 04?
MFC takes on AR work as own c. 2003
Youth Council devotes majority of business meeting time to anti-racism training [SRCp15]


2004
“Reconciliation Conversations” in DC & CA, Feb ’03 or ’04, according to LTM
C-UUYAN & YRUU host three regional AR trainings 2004
JUUST Change program begins?
youth snubbed/abused 2004
APIC & DRUUMM covenant together [http://www.apiuu.org/covenant.pdf]
DRUUMM invites the creation of a white allies group within date?
Seminarians of Color begin meeting (at GA?) [TRL0506]
YRUU Steering Committee and Youth Council struggle; many confrontations & abstentions [SRCp16]
Some youth are sent home from Con-Con; Con-Con 2005 (and beyond) is cancelled


2005
Stakeholders meeting at GA in Ft. Worth 2005 [personal witness]
much more local, YAYA, “uninvited”=grass roots than in 1998 [Gardiner interview]
“Transracial Adoption” workshop participants express pain, frustration [SRCp17]
youth of color snubbed/abused throughout & especially Mon. night; cancel dance June 27 [SRCp17-19]
Special Review Commission (SRC) appointed by UUA Board to investigate [SRCp1]


2006
Final Report of the Special Review Commission published, March [SRCp1]

Wednesday, July 06, 2005

Why this history is holy work

From the UUA Board of Trustees:
An open letter to UU youth of color and UU people of color who attended Fort Worth General Assembly and the broader UU community:

At General Assembly in Fort Worth, there were several incidents that reminded us that we have much work to do in our journey to becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and multicultural association. We, the UUA Board of Trustees, want to express deep sadness and regret that these incidents took place.

Some of these incidents involved apparently disrespectful and racist treatment of our youth by Fort Worth officials. We will respond appropriately to these incidents. When we visit a city, we expect that all members of our Unitarian Universalist community should be treated with respect and hospitality. For this and future General Assemblies, our presence might provide a "teachable moment" for us to work with our host cities on issues involving race and youth.

But we have work do within our own community as well. We have been disturbed by reports of other unfortunate incidents during General Assembly within our own Unitarian Universalist family, in which some UU youth of color were made to feel that they were not welcome. There was an incident outside the hall during the closing ceremonies at the Fort Worth General Assembly. Based on the reports of witnesses, the incident involved several UU youth of color, a UU adult who questioned their right to be there, provoking an angry response from the youth, a UU minister who intervened in support of the adult, and another white youth who defended the youth of color and verbally attacked the minister, who responded in like fashion with similar inflammatory language. This was not the only incident. We have also heard that on several occasions in Fort Worth, white UUs assumed that UU youth of color were hotel service people and asked them to carry luggage or park cars. We are troubled that some UUs may have treated other UUs as if they did not belong among us. We can and must do better.

Sadly, this was not the first General Assembly to have incidents like these. After one of those past incidents, the UUA Board of Trustees committed to provide safe space to process issues and concerns around oppression and racism and chaplains who could help facilitate reflection, discussion, and learning. However, we as a Board regret that we have not done enough to provide that safe space. We cannot control the actions of individuals, but we can create venues where we can all learn and grow as a community. We apologize for failing to provide those venues and commit to remedy this at future General Assemblies.

As your UUA Board, we pledge to treat all these incidents as a wake-up call for our entire community. We understand that personal stories about individuals' experiences at Fort Worth General Assembly have been recorded and we commit to hear these stories and learn from them. Also, we will work with the General Assembly Planning Committee and other groups to ensure that General Assembly in St. Louis and all future General Assemblies are more welcoming to all members of our Unitarian Universalist family.

In Faith,
Paul Rickter
UUA Secretary

Friday, July 01, 2005

Special Invitation for Youth and Young Adults

One of the lessons of our study of this history so far is that our youth and young adults have given much leadership and we wish this to be reflected in the history of this time period. If you are or were YAYA in this period, please share with us your most memorable and significant moments and events by posting here or emailing us.

initial post

This is the inaugural post for this blog.
We hope to use it as a communications device between the book's coeditors,
and to allow comments from those whom we are interviewing.

May this blog exemplify truth spoken in love.