Opinion Articles on Social Justice topics
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 short of the comprehensive approach UUSJ believes is needed to … Continue reading We Need ECA Reform While Also Fighting For Voting Rights
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 Action Team (IAT) led, co-led, and participated in 12 Senate … Continue reading Stability And Welcome For Afghans, Promises Kept By Veterans
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 the audacity of Senator Joe Manchin’s energy permitting proposal and have been … Continue reading Jim Hurdis on US Environmental Policies with Respect to Current Oil and Gas Production
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
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, national governance structure, we made considerable progress thanks to … Continue reading 2022 Board Chair Message
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 Democracy Action Team (DAT) is focusing on reforming the Electoral Count Act, after the disappointing Senate filibuster of the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. One measure under consideration – the Electoral Count Modernization Act – does have bipartisan support. It would update and clarify the current 1887-passed law that governs the casting and counting … Continue reading What’s Next For Voting Rights
“It takes deep faith and a lot of hard work to keep a democracy vibrant.” – Rev. Wm. G. Sinkford, Former UUA President “In our religious lives, the democratic process requires trust in the development of each individual conscience—a belief that such development is possible for each of us, as well as a commitment to … Continue reading Devastating Dereliction of Duty
Despite this setback for the John L. Lewis Act, there are some important takeaways from UUSJ’s Democracy Action Team’s collaboration with many national groups pushing for passage of this important legislation The coordinated and collaborative work included hundreds of groups, all with the same goal. It was an important milestone for the broader democracy movement … Continue reading Voter Rights Advocacy Highlights
