With humility and courage born of our history, we are called as Unitarian Universalists to build the Beloved Community where all souls are welcome as blessings, and the human family lives whole and reconciled. — from "A Vision for Unitarian Universalism in a Multicultural World" by the Unitarian...

Unitarian Universalists have a role to play as healers and repairers of the broken world we have inherited from our ancestors. Our congregations have a role to play as places to practice—to rehearse—Beloved Community for the benefit of future generations. — Taquiena Boston, Director of...

In my vision of a beloved community, I see a dazzling, light-filled, breathtakingly beautiful mosaic, a gigantic, all-encompassing mosaic, where each of us can see, can really see, and deeply appreciate each piece. We know that each piece is of immeasurable value....

It seems likely that the problem of the twenty-first century will be that of the multiple color lines embedded in the American social order. — Claire Jean Kim, Asian American scholar Read Handout 2, Not By Ourselves Alone, and reflect on the Rev. Bowens-Wheatley's words. What images or phrases...

It is far better to see the same place through 100 pairs of eyes, than 100 different places through the same pair of eyes. — Marcel Proust Examine your notes, artifacts, and photos from the field trip and reflect on new insights you have gained. Prepare to share three new insights at the next...

The second kind of (multicultural) community consists of a time and place where these different monocultural communities can encounter each other in true dialogue. This requires the leaders of the communities to be intentional about drawing culturally diverse people together. — Eric H. F. Law, in...

Wherever I go this year, leaders are telling me stories of what their congregations are doing to address issues of race and class. From film series to book groups to newly formed congregational task forces to deal with issues of oppression, the actions of UU congregations tell me that the 2006...

... for all the significant identities that constitute each of us, there is a personal essence that defines who we are, a singular soul that is hidden deep within beyond the layers of identity that protect it. When we make initial contact with each other, we only see the outside of that soul at...

Our schools and the social environment in this country have not prepared us to be competent dealing with race and multiculturalism. This is unfinished business in America, in the UUA, and in our congregations. — Paula Cole Jones Notice in your own life where you participate—or could...

Blessed are you who know that the work of the church is transformation of society, who have a vision of Beloved Community transcending the present. — Rev. John Buehrens Find a special location for your small object from the worship service. Write yourself a note to help you recall both the...

The purpose of monocultural community is two-fold: (1) to find identity and self-esteem as a group; and (2) to do homework together before encountering other cultural communities. — Eric H. F. Law, educator and author, in The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb At our next workshop, we will hold a...

Whatever any of us concludes about race relations, we should start by including all of us. — Frank Wu, author of Yellow Read (or reread) and reflect on the voices and perspectives in the handouts. Then, write questions, puzzlements, observations, and new insights you have. Find a conversation...

The struggle for racial justice in America calls those of us who are White to make this journey. Our presence is needed. We have been absent too long. — Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, from Soul Work: Anti-racist Theologies in Dialogue, Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley and Nancy Palmer Jones, editors (Boston:...

To consider "Whiteness" . . . is not an attack on people, whatever their skin color. Instead, (it) is an attempt to think critically about how white skin preference has operated systematically, structurally and sometimes unconsciously as a dominant force in American—and indeed in global society...

If churches want to realize Dr. King's dream, they must first embrace a dream of racial justice and equality . . ....

Although race has become such an obvious source of conflict, identity, and debate in almost every arena of our lives, few attempts are made to clarify what we mean by the term "race." Immeasurable confusion develops wherever peoples talk about racial issues because they are not speaking the same...

You can always figure out who is executing the system. It appears that almost everybody's executing it, even you are executing it until you are actively fighting it. — Bernice Johnson Reagon, founder, Sweet Honey in the Rock Deepen your skills and capacity to identify and respond to White...

I knew as well as I knew anything that the oppressor must be liberated just as surely as the oppressed. — Nelson Mandela As you go about your normal routines, take mental notes of how you see "White privilege" at work. You will most likely notice White privilege in places where the majority of...

I sometimes find myself "examining my identity" as other people examine their conscience ... I scour my memory to find as many ingredients of my identity as I can. I then assemble and arrange them. I don't deny any of them. — Amin Maalouf, contemporary Lebanese author, from In the Name of...

I believe that many Unitarian Universalists need to reconcile the moment in their lives when they first felt inferior to someone or something and how that moment has shaped and influenced their lives. — Rev. Monica Cummings, minister to Unitarian Universalist Youth and Young Adults of Color...