Tapestry of Faith: The New UU: A Program for Welcoming Newcomers to Unitarian Universalist Congregations

Alternate Activity 1: Privilege and Oppression

Part of The New UU

Activity time: 30 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Copy Handout 2, Privilege and Oppression, for all participants.
  • Optional: Invite someone from your congregation who is active with anti-racism initiatives to join you for this activity.

Description of Activity

This activity provides a brief introduction to concepts that underlie Unitarian Universalist work toward becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural organization. Explain that the UUA and, if this is the case, your own congregation, are formally committed to the goal of anti-racism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism. Distribute Handout 2, Privilege and Oppression. Invite three volunteers to read the three paragraphs aloud. Explain that people may be privileged in one way and oppressed in another, so many of us have experienced both sides of this paradigm. Ask participants to silently review the table on the handout. After a minute, lead a discussion based on these questions:

  • What do privilege and oppression have to do with working for justice?
  • How can our awareness of privilege and oppression affect our justice work in our congregation and in our community?
  • Why is working for justice and against systems of privilege and oppression religious work?