Opinion Articles on Social Justice topics
We watched in horror on January 6, 2021, as right-wing extremist groups attacked the Capitol Building trying to prevent the results of a free, fair and well-verified presidential election from being implemented. Our long and unbroken tradition of the peaceful transfer of power was indeed … read more.
Democracy issues will “not go gentle into that good night.” Too many of us are ready to “rage, rage, against the dying of the light” of our democracy, even if it feels feeble at times and meager for the task of illuminating an uncertain path … read more.
Midterm Takeaways from UUSJ Democracy Action Team Convener, Fred Van Deusen
[Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this commentary was published online last month in Medium]
The very good news from the recent midterm elections is that our democracy survived to fight another day. No significant disruptions … read more.
[Editor’s Note: Donna Scheidt is a member of UUSJ’s Democracy Action Team. This is adapted from her introduction at last month’s UUSJ webinar on the Moore v. Harper case that included Becky Harper, Common Cause NC, and a named party in the pivotal redistricting case … read more.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s endorsement of the Senate Electoral Count Act (ECA) reform proposal is a significant victory toward reforming the vaguely written 19th-century law that opened the door for those denying the results of the 2020 Presidential vote. And while it falls far … read more.
UUSJ continues its work in achieving stability for Afghans, an effort that began mid-summer. The needed stability, welcome, and promises veterans keep are best exemplified in the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA).
For UUSJ, these are the principled concerns at stake.
In early September, the Immigration … read more.
Susan and Jim Hurdis
Jim Hurdis is a member of the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, North Carolina, where he served two years as co-chair of their social justice committee. Along with the environment, Jim is passionate about gun violence issues, food insecurity, and affordable housing.
I’m struck by … read more.
I joined the Minneapolis Community Environmental Advisory Commission in 2012 as a part of an effort to diversify the commission and refocus it toward public health and community resilience. Another new member was Rochelle, a community activist from North Minneapolis, which has the highest poverty … read more.
It continues to be an honor to serve this coming year as Chair of the UUSJ board, accompanied by Rev. Peggy Clarke (New York, NY), Vice-Chair; Chloe Emily Ockey (Fresno, CA), Secretary; and Mariano Vera (Sarasota, FL), Treasurer.
Under the first year of UUSJ’s new diverse, … read more.
Is homelessness as intractable as it would seem in this country?
Homeless encampments are found at the intersection of widespread poverty and an array of failed federal tax and spend policies. There were over 550,000 homeless individuals in the United States in 2021, the government estimates. … read more.
