FAQS - The Proposed UUCA Resolution for Support of the 8th Principle
by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (UUCA)
8th Principle Task Force
Final 3-8-18
OVERVIEW[1]
Once again, UUCA has the opportunity to take a leadership role in our UU faith and take significant steps forward in our church’s commitment to combating racism. The proposed 8th Principle will give us the opportunity to take the next vital step in our journey toward wholeness as it challenges us as individuals and as a church to address racism and other oppressions.
On April 8, 2018, our UUCA Congregation will vote on a resolution that will:
- Put UUCA on record in support of the 8th Principle: See page 3 for the working resolution. (Left click or two finger click and follow link!)
- Urge the UUA to take steps to incorporate the 8th Principle concepts into our UU Principles.
This FAQ “living” document covers the details of the process to change our UU principles; the need for the 8th Principle; and the changes that will happen in ourselves, our congregation and the world when we put it into action. Read on or click on the questions you most need answered.
THE PROCESS: (Left click or two finger click and follow link!)
1. What is the proposed 8th Principle and what is the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)
planning to do with it?
2. Can we propose changes to the 8th Principle language?
3. How is UUCA proceeding on this proposed Principle?
Click here to see working resolution for April 8, 2018 congregational vote.
4. What are the goals of UUCA’s 8th Principle Task Force?
5. How can I find out more about the 8th Principle process at UUCA?
6. Will UUCA have 8 principles if we adopt this 8th Principle resolution?
THE NEED: (Left click or two finger click and follow link!)
7. Why single out racism?
8. Hasn’t UUCA already addressed racism in our Bylaw V?
9. What prior initiatives laid the foundation for UUCA to implement the 8th Principle
Resolution?
10. Can’t we just change or add a bylaw at UUCA rather than add a principle?
11. Why should UUCA be active in incorporating the 8th Principle’s concepts into our
congregation?
12. What is meant by “multicultural”?
13. What is “Beloved Community”?
14. What is meant by “other oppressions” and why is this included?
15. Why is the UUA considering the adoption of the 8th Principle?
16. Don’t the present 7 Principles cover dismantling racism?
THE CHANGE: (Left click or two finger click and follow link!)
17. How might an “8th Principle Resolution” change UUCA institutional practices?
18. How might the 8th Principle make white people accountable in making decisions to dismantle
racism in our institutional policies and practices?
19. How might an “8th Principle Resolution” change UUCA culture?
20. How might the culture change affect our members who are People of Color?
THE PROCESS
1. What is the proposed 8th Principle and what is the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) planning to do with it?
The 2017 UUA General Assembly (GA) in New Orleans passed a resolution empowering the UUA Board of Trustees to appoint a study commission to consider adding an 8th Principle to the UUA’s Bylaws (Article II, Principles and Purposes, Section C-2:1).
The 8th Principle is currently written as:
We the member congregations of the
Unitarian Universalist Association,
covenant to affirm and promote
journeying toward spiritual wholeness
by building a diverse, multicultural
Beloved Community by our actions
that accountably dismantle racism
and other oppressions
in ourselves and our institutions.
UUA Bylaws state that any proposed change to our Principles must first be sent to a study commission that is charged to solicit input from all congregations about the change. When any change is proposed to any principle, all of the principles are open for study and change. The commission has up to two years to complete a study. It then reports to the UUA Board which will put the item on the Agenda for the next General Assembly.
After the study commission makes its report to the UUA Board, the Board may also propose changes. The report is then offered at the next General Assembly and what happens then can be very complicated, depending upon whether any amendments are offered. All delegates will have an opportunity to offer amendments during a "mini-assembly" on the proposed changes. (reference: link to Phyllis Marsh’s article “Report from General Assembly on rewriting UU Principles). After an affirmative vote, the UUA Board then has an opportunity to incorporate changes/recommendations from the delegate assembly and bring the topic up for a vote at the next General Assembly for a final vote.
As a result of the 2017 General Assembly resolution, individual Unitarian Universalist congregations are supporting the resolution by asking their congregations to adopt it. The time needed for the UUA to fully adopt the resolution could be reduced by a strong show of support from congregations.
2. Can we propose changes to the 8th Principle language?
The concept of accountability is paramount to the original authors who have worked since 2008 to create wording that reflects the needs of the entire UUA and nationalcongregations. The UUA’s commission on the 8th Principle might propose changes before it goes to General Assembly, but at this stage we would be presumptive to make them.
3. How is UUCA proceeding on this proposed Principle?
The idea of the 8th Principle was brought to the Board of Trustees in the Fall 2017 after several UUCA delegates heard about it at the UUA General Assembly last summer. The Board unanimously voted to further our support of the 8th Principle and to begin the process of presenting it to the congregation at the December Congregational Meeting. The Board appointed an “8th Principle Task Force” which began in January 2018 to organize formats for education and discussion throughout the congregation.
The Task Force Members are: Co chairs: Diane Goforth, Dianne Moreau, Lex Robertson
Ken ApfelThornell JonesPhyllis Marsh
Linda MundyHeather MillarLinda Rhoads
Jim RomanAlethea ShiplettJohn Woolums
At present, a proposed RESOLUTION is being developed with opportunities for input from the congregation. It will be submitted to the Board. Then, as accepted by the Board, the RESOLUTION will be presented to the congregation for a vote at UUCA’s congregational meeting on April 8, 2018.
Below is the current draft of the resolution for input and feedback:
UUCA RESOLUTION FOR SUPPORT OF THE 8TH PRINCIPLE – Feb. 8, 2018 draftWHEREAS: The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis (UUCA) and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) both have long histories of taking significant steps in combating racism; and the UUA in 1997 committed to becoming a multicultural and anti-racist institution; and UUCA in 2012 adopted Bylaw V: “UUCA is committed to becoming and sustaining an anti-racist, anti-oppressive and multicultural religious community where people of all races, ethnicities, and colors see their identities reflected and affirmed in all aspects of congregational life;”and
WHEREAS: There is a growing movement within Unitarian Universalism to go further by modifying UU’s Seven Principles through the integration of an 8th Principle that goes beyond our current commitments to anti-racism to specifically address oppressions in ourselves and in our institutions; and
WHEREAS: UUA Bylaws state that proposed changes to UU Principles must first be sent to a study commission charged to solicit input from all congregations about change; and during the 2017 UUA General Assembly, a "Responsive Resolution" was adopted calling on the UUA Board to establish a study commission to discuss adding an 8th Principle; and
WHEREAS: UUCA now has an important opportunity to be part of the UUA process as it unfolds in the months ahead;
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: We, the members of UUCA, believe that embracing the concepts of the 8th Principle is the next important step in our journey towards wholeness.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: We, the members of UUCA, resolve to affirm and promote journeying toward spiritual wholeness by building a diverse, multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: We, the members of UUCA, urge the UUCA Board to revise UUCA’s governing documents to reflect the 8th Principle concepts.
THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: We, the members of UUCA, urge the Unitarian Universalist Association to take steps to incorporate the 8th Principle into our UU Principles.
4. What are the goals of UUCA’s 8th Principle Task Force?
●Develop a resolution for the UUCA board to consider and for UUCA to adopt.
●Recommend to the board that the resolution also include language for UUCA to urge UUA to incorporate the 8th Principle into UU principles.
●Develop strategies to integrate the 8th Principle concepts into our UUCA culture.
●Advertise opportunities to engage congregants in meaningful discussions and listening sessions regarding the 8th Principle to facilitate individual commitment and institutional transformation.
●Recommend to the Board the inclusion of 8th Principle language into future governing documents.
●Recommend that the Board include a vote for the resolution at the April congregational meeting.
5. How can I find out more about the 8th Principle process at UUCA?
There will be many opportunities for deep listening: 1 to 1 conversations; Middle Hour learning and discussion; a congregational conversation and even a conference call for those members whose schedules are strapped! Look for information in our congregation’s communications: In the Know; Order of Service, social media and Highlights.
UUCA members are invited to provide feedback and insights as we grow and learn more together while challenging ourselves and our congregation to actively dismantle unconscious bias and racism.
March 11 - Middle Hour
March 18 - Middle Hour
Week of March 18 - proposed conference call (will be recorded)
March 25 12:30-2:30 - Congregational Conversation
All Sundays in the Narthex, during Coffee Hour, Task Force Members are available for conversation.
Read the FAQS available on the UUCA webpage and by our poster in the Narthex.
Also note, the Co-Chairs of the 8th Principle Task Force are available for conversations:
Dianne Moreau , Diane Goforth and Lex Robertson .
IMPORTANT LEARNING RESOURCES:
UUCA Resources
-KenApfel, UUCA Board of Trustees article in February 2018 HIGHLIGHTS
-Phyllis Marsh, “Report from 2017 GA on Rewriting UU Principles” article in November 2017 Highlights
-Diane Goforth, Lex Robertson, Dianne Moreau, UUCA Board of Trustees article in March 2018 HIGHLIGHTS.
Sermon links
- Sermon by Rev. Kathleen, Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis 1/14/18
- Sermon by Jamie Hinson-Reiger, Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis 8/15/2017
Other Resources:
Black Lives of UU:
Blog from Tom Schade “The 8th Principle”
6. Will UUCA have 8 principles if we adopt this 8th Principle resolution?
No. Our resolution states we support the 8th Principle concepts; it calls us to action as individuals and as an institution to “accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions” but does not add to our list of 7 Principles. Adopting an 8th Principle is a UUA level action and as noted above in #1, there is an ongoing process at the national level to adopt an 8th Principle or at least incorporate the intent and language of the 8th Principle in our UU Principles.
THE NEED
7. Why single out racism?
Many believe racism is the fundamental systemic problem in the United States and that it has affected the lives of all. Also an important way for our UU institution to be truly welcoming to all is to purposely make space for people of color. This can only happen if we work from the inside to dismantle racism in ourselves and our institution.
Dismantling racism has the additional benefit of contributing to dismantling other forms of oppression just as Civil Rights legislation was followed by Title IX in 1972 and ADA in 1990 expanding opportunities for females and people with disabilities.
8. Hasn’t UUCA already sufficiently addressed racism in our Bylaw V?
No. Bylaw V and none of UUCA’s covenants or other documents state our individual and collective responsibility to act to dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions. The 8th Principle goes beyond theory and good intentions and requires individual and institutional action.
History
●1997 UUA voted to commit to becoming a multiracial, anti-racist institution.
●1997 UUCA responded with Bylaw IV: Become a welcoming community committed to address needs of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender persons.
●2007 UUCA introduced Bylaw V: Committed to becoming and sustaining an anti-racist, anti-oppressive and multicultural religious community where people of all races, ethnicities, and colors see their identities reflected and affirmed in all aspect of congregational life.
●2014 The General Assembly Planning Committee discussed the 8th Principle during a retreat and later by UU Council for Cross Cultural Engagement.
9. What prior initiatives laid the foundation for UUCA to implement the 8th Principle Resolution?
This is a synopsis of many, not all, of the UUCA racial awareness initiatives.
●1997 The Journey Towards Wholeness committee was formed with a focus on racism, Annapolis enslavement history among others. HomeworkHaven was started in Woodside Gardens and continues today.
●2004-2006 An Anti-Racism Transformation Team (ARTT) was formed by Rev. Fred to move to higher levels of understanding racism. For three years it practised interculturalism itself as its white and people of color members learned to listen to each other. Several Jubilee workshops (Jubilee 1, all-day; Jubilee 2, all weekend) were also held for the whole congregation.
●2009 UUCA pilot-tested a 24-session (2 hours each) UUA curriculum: Building the World We Dream About, designed to help UU congregations welcome, include, and build community with people of diverse ethnicities, races, and cultures, both in congregational life and when working in interfaith and community coalitions. 3 more year-long classes were held with an average of 12 participants.
●2009 UUCA participated in the Diversity of Ministry Initiative and called Rev. John Crestwell.
UUCA sponsored A Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity (ADORE) and held a series of discussions on racism and microaggressions. AWAKE ministries was introduced by Rev. John to integrate different expressions of spirituality into services.
●2014-Present UUCA sponsored two workshops presented by Phyllis Braxton to foster racial understanding and healing. This resulted in the forming of the Building the Beloved Community Group (BBC) which is still active today in 2018.
●2016-Present Robin DiAngelo, author of What It Means to Be White, facilitated workshops at UUCA. Her book is still the foundation for study groups today.
●2016-Present UUCA currently hosts Standing Up for Racial Justice (SURJ) and Coming to the Table. Both of these are community discussion, education and action groups to engage in anti-racism and oppression awareness.
●2016-Present UUCA prominently placed the Black Lives Matter sign at our entrance.
10. Can’t we just change or add a bylaw at UUCA rather than add a principle?
We have a Governance Team that is working with our Board of Trustees to examine and revise our documents. This Resolution gives direction to this work. The Resolution does not add a principle. By a vote of the congregation this Resolution weaves the concepts of the 8th Principle into our institutional documents and our everyday practices.
11. Why should UUCA be active in incorporating the 8th Principle’s concepts into our congregation?
The UUCA Board believes that embracing the “8th Principle” is the next important step in our congregation’s commitment to dismantling racism. Implementing “8th Principle” concepts is especially important as these concepts challenge us as individuals and as a church. It is not enough to be anti-racist. We must eachcommit to accountable action or the systems of oppression and unconscious bias will continue to harm us all.
UUCA is known as a leader in this area among UU congregations and this presents another leadership opportunity for our church community. There is an opportunity and a responsibility to be part of this important process -- both during the study commission phase and the consideration of any changes at a future General Assembly.
12. What is meant by “multicultural”?
Multicultural competency refers to characteristics of everyday life of a group of people who are bound together in time and place and through shared systems of meaning where many identities are represented and affirmed. The following graphic illustrates the concept of multicultural inclusion.
The Intercultural Competency Development Model illustrates how we plan to move from the integration phase to the inclusion phase. Each large circle represents one of the phases of this development. Note in the segregation phase, the dominant culture excludes certain groups. In the acceptance phase, the dominant culture accepts these groups, but they are still not part of the dominant culture. Our goal, the Beloved Community, is the inclusion phase where all are included in the culture. (Graphic credit to Phyllis Braxton)
13. What is “Beloved Community”?
This definition is given by the Black Lives of UU Movement: “Beloved Community happens when people of diverse racial, ethnic, educational, class, gender, sexual orientation backgrounds/identities come together in an interdependent relationship of love, mutual respect, and care that seeks to realize justice within the community and the broader world.”
14. What is meant by “other oppressions” and why is this included?
Ageism, ableism, classism, sexism, intellectualism, elitism are all -isms that show up in society as forms of oppression-the taking away of power- to many people who are not necessarily people of color. Include homophobia and poverty in this list also. But combine one or more of these with darker skin and a person immediately will be in the position of losing more power and privilege in our society.
This has been defined as INTERSECTIONALITY, the term scholars use to acknowledge the reality that we simultaneously occupy multiple groups, both oppressed and privileged positions, and that these positions intersect in complex ways. (Kim Crenshaw, 1991) To learn more about intersectionality watch this video, “The Urgency of Intersectionality”.
“Other oppressions” is key in identifying racism as the biggest and most obvious offender of our seven Principles.