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Why the UUA (USA)?
Whiteness, and chattel slavery (structural racism) were invented in the US, at the same time that modern Unitarianism and Universalism were being created.
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Why Single Out Racism?
At a global level, this would not necessarily make sense (for instance, the oppression of women is fundamental to poverty and lack of development in many areas), but in the USA, racism stands out.
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Why Now?
The UUA has just gone through a crisis related to inclusive hiring practices, especially related to whites being hired over highly qualified Latinx candidates, resulting in the resignation of the UUA…
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What Is Beloved Community?
Beloved Community happens when people of diverse backgrounds come together in an interdependent relationship of love, mutual respect, and care that seeks to realize justice within the community and…
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What Does It Mean to Be Accountable?
White UUs hold themselves accountable to communities of color, to make sure whites do what they say they will do. In practice, that can mean having a People of Color Caucus within congregations.
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Other Comments
Our existing 7 principles imply this 8th principle, but do not explicitly hold us accountable for addressing these oppressions directly, especially at the systemic level.
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Origin of the 8th Principle
Where did this come from originally? Paula Cole Jones recognized that our current principles do not explicitly address systemic racism.
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Background Navigation
Additional navigation and related resources for the 8th Principle movement.
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Background
Paula Cole Jones, JPD Director of Racial & Social Justice, developed the idea of the existence of two different paradigms in UU circles: the UU 7 Principles and Beloved Community (deep…
