Recognizing and Identifying When We Are Uplifting and Holding onto White Supremacy Culture

Part of Mosaic Lifespan Curriculum

Open

Touched By an Angel by Maya Angelou

We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.

Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls.

We are weaned from our timidity. In the flush of love's light we dare be brave

And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

Light your chalice while reading these words. Follow up with a few moments of stillness and meditative silence.

You can ask participants to share one word description of what it felt like to hear the reading.

You can ask participants how love is the antithesis to white supremacy culture.

Read

Characteristics White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun: Interactive Website

Original Article (PDF)

Begin by opening the interactive website. Read through the articles on the home page. This is the primary resource for generating discussion. If individuals would like to expand their definitions they can open the second resource noted, the original article, which inspired the creation of the website and gives a more comprehensive elucidation of the different characteristics of white supremacy culture.

Invite participants to share their personal stories of experiencing white supremacy culture.

Reflection questions to begin the process of emergent discussion and deeper sharing.

Have you ever experienced or perpetuated these characteristics of white supremacy culture?

How did/does it make you feel when you are living in systems that strongly emulate these characteristics?

What are alternative characteristics that help to deconstruct or remove these qualities from systems?

Watch

​​Gadflyism by Rev. Sara Skochko (9:49)

This video will give you a critical look at the issue of Gadflyism, a manifestation of white supremacy culture taking form in Unitarian Universalism.

Do

3 I’s of Oppression & Resistance Exercise

Select this link and invite participants to write out their own experiences of Oppressions from White Supremacy culture as they show up institutionally, interpersonally, and internally.

Close

Through great struggle comes a deep and abiding ability to see the world as it is. To have a knowing. An invitation to authenticity and deeply lived values that resonate in our bones. With this knowing, comes a responsibility to illuminate the darkness, speak truth to power, and guide others to coherence.

Love is a form of resistance. The love that says No. No more cookies, my blood sugar is high enough. The love that says you can not borrow that anymore I need it. The love that says that’s enough work for today it’s time for rest. The love that says enough of being made small. 
Closing Questions:

Keeping in mind that to be in Beloved Community as Unitarian Universalists we covenant to fight for justice and be centered in love. Love which is a verb, a doing word.

How are you not being given the love that you deserve, especially when it comes to white supremacy culture in UU communitie?

In these experiences in what ways do you resist with love?

In places that don’t give you the love you deserve, the kind that honors your dignity, how will you go forth and demand it?

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