The Soul Matters theme for February is Widening the Circle. Traditionally, February is Black history month. To widen our circle of members and friends, our national UU movement proposes an 8th principle, committing ourselves to racial justice in our movement and congregations, and in our work for justice in the community around us.
Our congregations are diverse in spirituality, class, where you grew up, education level. Yet we’ve attracted few people of color. How do we become more welcoming to racial diversity? Adding a new principle isn’t a magic spell. It won’t create change by itself. To help dismantle white supremacy, we need the 8th principle to symbolize our living commitment: to stay aware of racism all around and within us, to interrupt and stop racism, to hold one another accountable, with grace and kindness
How do we do this? For people of color, awareness of the reality of racism isn’t optional. For white people, not seeing racism is the ultimate privilege. White people have to be intentional allies for racial justice. Why is this so hard? Dismantling white supremacy requires interrupting the deep cultural norm to hide vulnerability at all costs, to put on a happy face, appearing to have it all together, and to help each other appear invulnerable.
To interrupt racism, we have to go deeper with each other, becoming skillful in being present with deeper experiences, listening from the heart. We can’t overcome deep and continuing cultural conditioning all at
once. The good news is that we are all born with the potential super-power of the beautiful Heart. My hope, prayer, and intention is to grow my heart. And to support you and our communities in deepening our compassion and awareness, so we can be trustworthy, welcoming congregations working for racial justice, for Love.
I’m excited to support Zellda Zelley in our Listening workshops, starting next month. The skills we’ll learn and practice in these workshops will help us be present with one another in our vulnerability, in our beautiful hearts. Widening the circle, becoming trustworthy allies, evolving together.
Rev. Mary
