Open

• “It Is That Time And That Place” by Rev. Qiyamah Rahman (YouTube, 3:14): Invite participants to breathe deeply, close their eyes, move their bodies, and reflect on the opening words and music.

Read

• “Reflections on Black Empowerment in the UUA” (PDF, pages 49-53) by Alex Poinsett
• “In Their Own Words” was a 2001 gathering and conversation with leaders of the 1960’s Black empowerment movement within (and beyond) the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Watch

• “Ella’s Song” Sweet Honey in the Rock (captioned) (YouTube) (4:41)

Do

Discuss: Our faith has a rich history of engaging in anti-racism, including as part of multireligious and religious-secular coalitions. Do you feel a sense to this UU history? How so? How are our efforts for racial justice impacted by a connection – or lack thereof – to this history?

Do you believe there is something uniquely Unitarian Universalist about the way we engage anti-racism? Why or why not? If so, how would you describe it?

*This lesson does not expect or require participants to be familiar with UU history of anti-racism efforts. Acknowledge and validate that we have differing familiarities with this history, including just being exposed with it for the first time.

Close

• “Choose to Bless the World” by Rebecca Ann Parker

Take Home

• “In Their Own Words: A Conversation With Participants in the Black Empowerment Movement Within the Unitarian Universalist Association” (PDF) (Full Publication)

• Wilderness Journey: The Struggle for Black Empowerment and Racial Justice within the UUA 1967-1970” (YouTube)
• “Black Lives of UU 2017 Convening — An Intimate Conversation Dr. Mtangulizi Sanyika” (YouTube)

• “To Pray Without Apology” by Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt