The Proposed 8th Principle 

Mission

Engage UUCatskills in Building the Diverse, Multi-cultural Anti-racism Community we Aspire to be.

8th Principle

“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, 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.”

History

Twenty  years ago, the UUA voted to become an Anti-Racist, Anti-Oppression Multi-Cultural (ARAOMC) organization. It is too easy for people  identified as white to ignore issues of systemic racism - which is  exactly what keeps it in place. We need to de-center whiteness and other  dominant cultures within our chosen faith.

Paula Cole Jones (co drafter of the 8th Principle) realized after working with congregations on issues of race and racism for over 15 years that a person can believe they are being a 'good UU' and following the 7 principles without thinking about or dealing with racism and other oppressions at the systemic level. Our existing 7 principles imply this 8th Principle, but do not explicitly hold us accountable for addressing these oppressions directly. While the 8th Principle has not yet completed consideration through the UUA process, upwards of 300 congregations nationwide have voted to affirm it and actively engage with its call to Our Congregation.

“We have a great opportunity to really live the Beloved Community. It isn’t easy to undo the harms and ongoing inequities of four hundred years. But we can start with ourselves and our community, dive in and do the work to live with integrity, right relationship, and love.”
                                  — Rev. Bob Janis-Dillon, UU Catskills

Doing the Work

Our work to build a beloved community is embedded in everything we do to address racism and other oppressions in our culture.  It is like a 3-legged stool, with each part helping to support the whole:

1. Personal:  We encourage the personal growth of our congregation’s members.by sharing readings, podcasts, films etc. to enhance our own understandings and relationships. 

2. Congregational:  We seek to have all areas of congregational justice work seen through an anti-racism lens, and sponsor opportunities for education and growth.

3. Wider Community:  We will continue to show up and to seek out engagement through personal and congregational support of local organizations lead by those experiencing racism and oppressions.

These include but are not limited to:

         The A.J. Williams Myers African Roots Library

         The Wednesday Walk 4 Black Lives

         For The Many

         The Poor People’s Campaign

Rise Up Kingston

         ENJAN (End the New Jim Crow Action Network)

         Ulster Immigrant Defense Network

If you would like to know more about The 8th Principle Task Force please email donna.schlachman@gmail.com.