Diversity and Equity

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Diversity and Equity Exploration Team

The current national consciousness about race has caused many of us to question ourselves about our own personal understanding and responsibilities when it comes to racism. Some members at First Parish have been meeting in various capacities to gain knowledge about white supremacy culture. We explored how individuals and a congregation can contribute to a more just society. It is understandable that many may feel uncomfortable in thinking about this topic. However, the rewards of learning that will lead to more freedoms for all is well worth the discomfort!

Out of this work, the Diversity & Equity Exploration Team has formed at First Parish. The mission of this team is to provide opportunities to all members to embark on their own personal racial justice journeys. We will offer resources and outlets for members to explore and discuss their views. Examples include movie, book and podcast recommendations, followed by discussions, introspective sharing of personal stories in small groups with trained facilitators and opportunities for local multicultural civic engagement, just to name a few.

We would like to encourage as many people as possible to participate in these journeys. One important reason, in addition to your own personal growth, is we hope that First Parish Framingham will explore and vote on the incorporation of the UUA 8th principle at the end of the church year. The addition of the 8th Principle has been requested by the UU BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) community and it is something being currently considered among many UU congregations across the country. We hope that all First Parish voters next June are well informed when they cast their vote. For more information about the UUA 8th principle and its background please follow these links:

https://www.8thprincipleuu.org/

https://www.8thprincipleuu.org/background

We welcome questions, suggestions and general thoughts. Please know our intention is to always be welcoming, loving and non-judgmental.

With peace to all,

The Diversity & Equity Exploration Team

Lauren Fawell
Susan Moody
Sara Morrison Neil
Denise Moorehead
Elizabeth Murphy, Ministerial Intern
Julie Porter
Leslie Simpson
Lauren Strauss
Rev. Aaron Stockwell

We are open to new members and hope that this team will include a variety of perspectives.

We recommend everyone read these resources, for both why we are doing anti-racism work as a UU congregation, and why everyone should keep trying to make the world a better place.

Preface, “Widening the Circle of Concern,” UUA Commission on Institutional Change (2020).

Despair is Not a Strategy

Anti-Racism Resources

We have separated our resources into several categories for the purpose of making it easier for anyone to find something that is relevant to them or what they are looking for at the moment. We have “Resources for White People,” “Resources for BIPOC,” and “Multiracial Antiracism Resources.” These are certainly not comprehensive, and will be updated periodically.

Resources for White People

A Collection of anti-racism resources for white people at different stages of racial awareness

“The Distress of the Privileged” by Unitarian Universalist writer/blogger Doug Muder

Why Are We Talking About White Supremacy?

How the South Won The Civil War, Heather Cox Richardson

Resources for land acknowledgement: https://usdac.us/nativeland

SURJ: Showing Up for Racial Justice | White People http://www.showingupforracialjustice.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShowingUpForRacialJusticesurj

Tim Wise http://www.timwise.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tim-Wise/140254320968?fref=ts

Paul Kivel Articles: http://www.paulkivel.com/

Allies for Racial Equity Website – http://alliesforracialequity.wildapricot.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uuallies/timeline

7 Day Antiracism Challenge https://heller.brandeis.edu/diversity/learning/antiracism-challenge.html

Stop AAPI Hate: Towards Prevention and Solidarity (Act to Change, YouTube, March 2021)

Asian American History https://www.pbs.org/show/asian-americans/

1619 Project Podcasts https://www.nytimes.com/column/1619-project

I Wish People Supported the Asian Community the Way They Do Our Wellness Practices (Well + Good, March 2021)

Innovation and Risktaking for UU Congregations, from Widening the Circle of Concern report by the UUA Commission on Institutional Change.

Resources for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)

Racial Identity Development, National Museum of African American History and Culture

Why Are We Talking About White Supremacy? Crystal M. Fleming, UU World Winter 2018

Preface to Widening the Circle of Concern, by the UUA Commission on Institutional Change.

Black Lives Matter http://blacklivesmatter.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackLivesMatter?fref=ts

Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (DRUUMM) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DRUUMM?fref=ts

Asian Americans Advancing Justice

Resources for land acknowledgement: https://usdac.us/nativeland

UU Multicultural Youth Conference https://www.uua.org/youth/events/multicultural-leadership-school

Innovation and Risktaking for UU Congregations, from Widening the Circle of Concern report by the UUA Commission on Institutional Change.

Humor: Black People Like Us: http://www.blackpeopleloveus.com/

Blog: Black Girl in Maine: https://www.blackgirlinmaine.com/

Blog: Ijeoma Uluo:https://medium.com/@IjeomaOluo

Stop AAPI Hate: Towards Prevention and Solidarity (Act to Change, YouTube, March 2021)

Asian American History https://www.pbs.org/show/asian-americans/

I Grew Up Latinx & Disabled – & I’m Creating the Change I Want to See (Refinery29, September 2021)

Unidos US

Understanding and Measuring Bias Against Latinos, Northeastern Institute on Race And Justice

Podcasts

Latino USA offers insight into the lived experiences of Latino communities and is a window on the current and merging cultural, political and social ideas impacting Latinos and the nation. Latino USA
Militantly Mixed
CodeSwitch What’s CODE SWITCH? It’s the fearless conversations about race that you’ve been waiting for. Hosted by journalists of color, our podcast tackles the subject of race with empathy and humor. We explore how race affects every part of society — from politics and pop culture to history, food and everything in between. This podcast makes all of us part of the conversation — because we’re all part of the story. Code Switch was named Apple Podcasts’ first-ever Show of the Year in 2020.
Asian Americanana

Mental Health and Self-Care