I have been an UU for more than 25 years and being a Black person in a predominantly white denomination isn’t always easy. From time to time I do ask myself, “Why are you a UU?” Each time I come up with the same answer: Unitarian Universalist is the religion that most closely aligns with my beliefs and philosophy of life, and I feel valued as an individual.
As a Unitarian Universalist who takes the seven principles to heart, I do believe that “All Lives Matter”. So, why do I wear a button that reads “Black Lives Matter”? First let me clear up a misconception; “Black Lives Matter” does not say that other lives don’t matter. There are sections of our society that are saying (overtly or covertly) that black lives matter less.
In December of 2014 my congregation, the UU Congregation of Columbia (UUCC), formed an alliance with a predominantly black congregation (St. John Baptist Church) to protest the killing of unarmed Black Men. The protest was held on one of the main roads in Columbia with 75 to 100 adults and children from the Columbia area participating.
To keep the conversation going and the information flowing, a Black Lives Matter Team was established. A Black Lives Matter sign was placed in UUCC’s window to show the community and affirm for our members that we truly believe that Black Lives Matter.
UUCC’s Board of Trustees was questioned about the appropriateness of displaying the banner in the building window. The Board considered the question and decided it was appropriate to display the banner. Following is the message the Board shared with the congregation:
“Several months ago, our congregation had a large banner printed with the slogan “Black Lives Matter” to take to rallies and demonstrations in the area. Many of you, hopefully all of you, have noticed that this banner has taken up residence in the front window of the building when not being used in this manner elsewhere. A question about this was posed to the Board of Trustees, respectfully and thoughtfully, questioning whether this was appropriate. So, at our most recent meeting, the Board had a discussion about this.
Our one job as a board is to look out for the best interests of this congregation, to make sure that what happens in this building and outside this building in the congregation’s name is appropriate and in line with the goals we have set forth for ourselves, as defined by our eight ends, our bylaws, and other policies. This discussion had two parts to it, the first of which was interpreting the policies to determine exactly where the authority to display the banner would come from. After reviewing the Administrative Limits policies, the Board determined that it is our responsibility to make a decision about displaying the banner. This brought us to the second part of the discussion, did we want to authorize the continued display of the banner.
Social justice is one of the bedrocks of our Unitarian Universalist faith, not just caring about what is happening, but DOING things about what is happening – taking action, living our values in a visible and public way. For many, the denomination’s focus on social justice work was what first interested them in a UU church. While there are many worthy causes to which we as a denomination and as individuals give our hearts and our time and our voices and our votes, it is apparent that a defining social justice cause is the fight against systemic racial discrimination particularly in this place and this time.
As a Unitarian Universalist congregation, we believe it is our obligation to take a stand on this issue, to loudly proclaim that egregious, grotesque injustices inflicted on our fellow members of the web of all existence are unacceptable. That we won’t sit quietly and hope it goes away, we will work to bring about the change that needs to happen. While displaying that banner in our window won’t bring about that change by itself, it does proclaim to all who pass by, it makes the statement loud and clear, that we believe that all black lives matter, every single one of them. That discrimination against one diminishes us all, and we stand in solidarity, shoulder to shoulder, with those who are oppressed. And so the Board is very proud to see the banner continue to be displayed in our window.”
UUCC members and friends have also participated in protests and rallies in and around the Baltimore area to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement and to rally against injustice.
Unitarian Universalism and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia is my spiritual home!
“A civilization is to be judged by its treatment of minorities.”
Mohandas K. Gandhi
An Action of Immediate Witness Adopted at the 2015 UUA General Assembly was Support the Black Lives Matter Movement.