So, they are firing federal workers. Who cares, you might think? Well, I do. I receive Social Security and a federal pension through my husband. I know some of these folks: I go to church or live near them; I hear their stories about their federal civil service. I work with UUSJ because what is … Continue reading If the Trump impact hasn’t touched you, it will soon!
by Steve Eckstrand, co-convener, UUSJ Immigration Team As a great-grandchild of immigrants on my mother’s side of the family and a grandchild of immigrants on my father’s side of the family, I heard the stories of how my ancestors fled from poverty or political instability in their homelands and made the journey to Ellis Island … Continue reading The Long Path Forward on Immigration
I am a retired educator, and my involvement with UUSJ allows me to support and participate in education based on Unitarian Universalist values. I cherish this role, and I hope you value the content we offer. We place love at the center with transformation, pluralism, generosity, interdependence, equity, and justice. When I studied education in graduate … Continue reading A Clear, Consistent Message for Social Justice
UUSJ was established nearly 25 years ago with the “big vision” of supporting the social justice efforts of UU congregations in relation to the actions and activities of our federal government. Never in the quarter century since has it been more important to have an organization founded on the UU values of equity, generosity, transformation, … Continue reading Our Unitarian Universalist organizing ecosystem
Like many people, I’ve found myself working through the stages of grief following the election. I am slowly moving into Acceptance and searching for paths forward. I am accepting the new reality, but I am NOT accepting the inevitability of the loss of Democracy. I’ve heard people say they are considering moving to another country. … Continue reading Firm in our convictions
Advancing the cause of social justice requires eternal vigilance. With each victory we celebrate, but we must be prepared to respond to the setbacks that often follow. I recall the pain of growing up in the racially segregated South, followed by the hope that the civil rights movement of the 1960s brought. As we contemplate … Continue reading We must be prepared to respond
Isn’t it great to be a Unitarian Universalist and to be in communities that understand and support our deep sorrow at this time? I am so grateful to be connected to Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) and working side-by-side with my fellow UUs here and at home as we navigate these turbulent times. My … Continue reading To make a difference at the federal level
As a member of the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) Board, I am deeply grateful for the dedication, passion, and generosity of spirit shown by our supporters, partners, and volunteers throughout this year. Together, we have worked to uphold the values of equity, compassion, and justice, striving to make tangible progress toward a society … Continue reading Let us continue to uplift one another
We have a long history of striving to make our system more inclusive, fair, and equitable. President John Adams (a Unitarian) said, “Government is instituted for the common good: for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people; and not for the profit, honor, or private interest of any one man, family, or class … Continue reading Experiment in Self-Governance
Michael Thoryn 11/18/2024 My despair over the re-election of Donald Trump is painful and deep. I cannot make my thoughts flow smoothly from one horror to the next. First note: I had the perfect election night. I went to bed at my normal time, soaking in the bad but not definitive news. And then I … Continue reading Nine notes in the key of despair
