My Experience with the 8th Principle

Mya Wade-Harper (YMWLS Class of 2019)

By Mya Wade-Harper
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.—The Proposed 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism
Sometimes justice work can be hard. You doubt that what you are doing is enough and if it is small you may believe that it doesn’t even matter. I found out about the 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism when I went to Youth Midwest Leadership School in the summer of 2019. Upon returning to my home church of Lexington, Kentucky, I brought the principle up to my minister and board. Thus began the whirlwind of work my church and I did to vote on the principle. To me, the 8th Principle is a call to action to stand up for people who are oppressed and crush white supremacy. As a POC and activist, I also find a calling to stand up for myself and others. The experience of helping my church adopt the 8th principle was something I had never done. When I raised my hand and joined my church in adopting the 8th Principle I was struck with how exhausting the process had been, how there was still so much work to be done, but also how rewarding it was. My Mama tells me that this work is sacred, and I agree. It is sacred and necessary.
For more information about what your congregation can do to discuss and adopt the 8th Principle, visit https://www.8thprincipleuu.org/.