It’s the newest national holiday. It’s a day to commemorate the liberation of enslaved people in America. It’s been a huge celebration for the black people of Texas since 1865. But how should we, as white people, descendants of those who supported and benefitted from chattel slavery, honor this day? It’s a party in the black community – but do we have a right to join in?
Each year across the United States many lives are lost and others are severely injured by the use of guns. These deaths and injuries occur at rates much higher than in similar nations around the world. Gun violence is a public health crisis, preventable with legislation and enforcement to restrict access to firearms and to promote gun safety. Today we wear orange to remember those who have been affected by gun violence. We mourn the devastating loss of lives and the impact on families and communities, even as we work for change in steadfast hope for change.
The fifth principle of our UU faith states that we affirm “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” In this nation founded on the democratic process, voter suppression has been used systematically to perpetuate the dominance of those in power. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 proposes to restrict state legislatures from passing bills that make it harder to vote, disproportionately deterring racial minorities from voting, and the Freedom to Vote Act of 2021 protects elections from partisan gerrymandering and voter suppression. Join us as we explore how these bills are vital to the protection of our democracy.
This congregation has committed to live into the proposed 8th principle of Unitarian Universalism, working to accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions. The actions we take to honor Black lives, to right historic wrongs in our nation, call us to engage our minds, hearts and spirits to restore justice and wholeness for all.
