By Jean Pierce, Trustee The U.S. Supreme Court handed down decisions that challenge our polity and have inspired me to fight that much harder to preserve our democracy. I was glad that the Independent State Legislature Theory gained no traction in Moore v. Harper. Like so many, I’ve been concerned with the ethics of the … Continue reading Urgency on Voting Rights
By Dan Schneider, Trustee When many of my ancestors came to Ohio from Germany in the nineteenth century, there were no federal restrictions on immigration. Compared to today, entering the United States was relatively easy. While many of us like to say we’re a nation of immigrants and their descendants, that statement makes invisible the … Continue reading Living In Hope For Immigration Justice
A bill is being written on Capitol Hill right now that could advance or obstruct many of the equity, justice and environmental priorities of Unitarian Universalists and other progressive people of faith. And it might not be the first bill you would think of when considering where we should deploy our organizing energy and our … Continue reading Ministerial Fellow, Kirk Freeman on A Bill For Every Community And Constituency, The Farm Bill
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 into the future. A path increasingly obscured by trends toward … Continue reading Ken Mitchell on The Look Ahead For Preserving Our Democracy
“Freedom Is The Path And The Destination” – Tammy Johnson This exclusive session comes to you due to requests by UUSJ’s general membership for more training and educational programming, specifically for more racial justice engagement, and to explore implications for our policy efforts. Though often used interchangeably, equality and equity are quite different. If … Continue reading Equity Mapping with Tammy Johnson
[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 concerning the balance of powers, and Chris Shenton, attorney, Southern … Continue reading Living One’s Faith and Values
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 rates and largest concentrations of indigenous people and people of … Continue reading Meleah Houseknecht on Environmental Justice: Using Our UU Principles as a Theological Guide
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. Most advocates consider this a significant undercount since it … Continue reading Homelessness
By Elizabeth Mount To begin, to start, to create, to undertake, To grow, to promise, to increase, to generate. All these are our birthright. As we are created, so may we create. The ability and the choice to create is sacred. To withdraw that chance from any person without their permission Would be a violent … Continue reading The Right to Choose
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a global platform established to respond to climate change by investing in low-emission and climate-resilient development. The fund also assists vulnerable societies in adapting to the unavoidable impacts of climate change. Climate-related extremes have affected productivity in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. Droughts, floods, wildfires, and marine heatwaves have affected … Continue reading Climate Policy Loses If Green Climate Fund Becomes Political Football
