At its most basic, white supremacy culture is based on the ideology that people with white skin are superior to people with dark skin, intellectually, morally, and physically, and therefore should dominate society, typically to the exclusion or detriment of other racial and ethnic groups
This belief has allowed for and been used as a justification for enslavement, genocide, colonization, cultural destruction, religious conversion and myriad forms of oppression. It continues to be used to support oppressive, discriminatory, unjust, unfair and inequitable policies and practices in our laws, criminal justice system, education, healthcare, housing, voting, religion and just about every aspect of life.
The insidious nature of white supremacy culture is that we all swim in this soup, regardless of our skin color, yet experience it differently. Those of us with white skin enjoy the privileges of this culture making it all too easy to “not see” or “chose to turn our heads” from the impacts of this culture on BIOPOC.
BIOPOC, on the other hand, experience routine if not daily injuries to their hearts, minds, bodies and spirits. It is incumbent on us all as people of faith to look deeply into ourselves and our culture to understand the ways in which we and it causes harm, regardless of our skin color. This is especially critical work, however, for those of us who identify as White since we have benefitted for so long by this culture at the expense of our BIOPOC brothers and sisters.
8th Principle Recent Posts
So Where Do We Go From Here?
At our recent Annual Congregational Meeting our UUCOD members voted strongly to adopt the 8th Principle as one of our own.
But more importantly, and closer to home, what does passing the 8th Principle mean to us at UUCOD? Where do we go from here since adopting this principle is just the beginning of a journey that we will create and make together.
Assimilation, Limited Inclusion and Belonging
~ Terrence Lester of Love Beyone Walls8th Principle Recent Posts
Are we proposing this principle because we are doing something wrong?
This is one of the thought provoking questions we have been asked over the past several months related to the proposed 8th Principle. The simple answer is, No. However, this does not mean we cannot do more that is right. Remember, we are attempting to Widen the Circle of Concern and to become as welcoming and inclusive as possible so that ALL truly feel that they belong here.
Why do we need another principle about racism? Don’t our other 7 principles address this?
After many years of inconsistent work in the UUA regarding anti-racism, the realization that one can “live into” our existing 7 principles without thinking about or dealing with racism has become more apparent. In order to more fully live into the potential of our existing principles, over 150 UU congregations have already adopted the 8th Principle.
In our white-centered dominant culture it is all too easy to ignore racism and just regard ourselves as “not racist”,
What is meant by “white privilege?
White privilege is “having greater access to power and resources than people of color, in the same situation, do." from Diversity in the Classroom and Understanding White Privilege: Creating Pathways to Authentic Relationships Across Race" by Francis E. Kendallin ....
What does the phrase from the proposed 8th Principle “accountably dismantle racism” mean?
Significantly the proposed 8th Principle calls us as individuals and as a faith community to be active and accountable in living our other 7 Principles with a specific focus on being anti-racist since race and racism are so foundational and pervasive in our culture....
The 8th Principle – Let’s Examine What It Really Means
As we journey towards adopting the 8th Principle, throughout March we will present various words and phrases both within the 8th Principle language itself and those related to the work of anti-racism. We will begin to explore what they mean and invite your responses....
The 8th Principle – Can we change the wording?
At this stage in the process, congregations need to adopt the proposed principle as it is written. The wording of the 8th Principle will be substantially debated on the floor of the UUA General Assembly and will likely be changed as a result. By voting to approve it...
The 8th Principle – Learn More About It!
Rev. Ian introduced this proposed 8th Principle in depth and in the context of our covenantal relationships during our January 16 Sunday Service. If you missed this very important service or wish to listen to it again, it is posted on the UUCOD Facebook page Over the...
The 8th Principle – Why is UUCOD wanting to adopt this?
The 8th Principle is a natural extension of our UU values and faith development. Unlike our other 7 Principles, it calls us to action, to not only be not-racist but to actively engage in anti-racist behaviors as individuals and as a faith community. And it calls us to...