Category: Commentary

Opinion Articles on Social Justice topics

Elisabeth Geschiere on “Why I Believe Nonviolent Direct Action* is Imperative”

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I was listening to a 2015 speech by former California congress member and former Oakland mayor Ron Dellums, who died recently of cancer, called “Vietnam: The Power of Protest.” He shared how young people have asked him about the difference between his generation–the generation of the Black Civil Rights movement and the Vietnam War protests–and … Continue reading Elisabeth Geschiere on “Why I Believe Nonviolent Direct Action* is Imperative”

Rev. Tanner on “I Was A Wearied Kind of Ready: Lessons from Poor People’s Campaign”

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Sitting in the hot tent I could feel the damp air rising from the ground while I held my two-week old baby.  I found myself in an unintentional sauna in DC. Just two hours before, 25,000 people gathered across the National Mall for the Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival (PPC: NCMR). … Continue reading Rev. Tanner on “I Was A Wearied Kind of Ready: Lessons from Poor People’s Campaign”

Rev. Koteen on “Discovering the Roots of Injustice: How Political and Economic Inequity Are Foundational to All Oppressions”

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There are many versions of the Grail legend. In one of them, Percival, the original Grail knight, sees the Grail when he is an adolescent. However, he fails to ask the critical question: Who does the Grail serve? He does not ask because his parents have taught him that it is impolite to ask questions. … Continue reading Rev. Koteen on “Discovering the Roots of Injustice: How Political and Economic Inequity Are Foundational to All Oppressions”

Statement on Gun Violence

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By Rev. David Miller, Senior Minister, UU Congregation of Fairfax, on Feb., 14 Of the many symptoms of systemic illness on display in our country, school shootings are among the saddest and most destructive. As I watched children today fleeing their school in Florida, arms raised, I thought not only is the horror of safe … Continue reading Statement on Gun Violence

Why I sold my guns

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Average citizens who think they can whip a concealed gun out to shoot down a bad guy are living under a dangerous illusion.  Joel Miller | 9/1/1999 This essay first appeared in the September/October 1999 issue of UU World, when the author was minister of the Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church, near Columbine High School in Littleton, … Continue reading Why I sold my guns

“Why I Went to the GA” By Hal Fuller, UU Congregation of Fairfax

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At the memorial service for Hal Fuller, long-time UUSJ leader, previous Board Co-chair, and member of the UU Congregation of Fairfax, his daughter read his powerful “Why I Went to the GA” essay, which reflects his upbringing in New Mexico. His words then deserve our careful attention now, as our nation continues to wrestle with … Continue reading “Why I Went to the GA” By Hal Fuller, UU Congregation of Fairfax

“The Importance of Being ‘Prideful'” By Gerda and Allen Keiswetter, UU Church of Arlington, VA

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Imagine thousands cheering because you love your child. We have been marching in the Capital Pride Parade since 2005 to celebrate our transgender son Asa. It is a spiritual high each year for us. The street crowd is amazing — LGBTQ people and straight people of all ages, singles and families, babies to grandparents of … Continue reading “The Importance of Being ‘Prideful’” By Gerda and Allen Keiswetter, UU Church of Arlington, VA

“Taking Note” by the Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker, Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church

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This is adapted from my February newsletter column looking at how to be in covenantal relationship in a time of strong emotions around the new President of the U.S. It is easy to assume Unitarian Universalists did not vote for Donald Trump. After all, UU progressive values: immigration issues, equality for GLBTQAI, women’s rights, diversity … Continue reading “Taking Note” by the Rev. Dr. Kate R. Walker, Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church