Mixing & Huddling The Importance of Racial Identity Spaces Within Unitarian Universalism

Part of Mosaic Lifespan Curriculum

Open

Come Into This Place By Margaret Weis

Check In Question -
What is one thing that makes a space feel safe to you? How frequently is that something you think about?

Read

The Wisdom of Caucusing for People of Color (PDF), Roots of Justice

and

“A Love Letter to White Unitarian Universalists Regarding Cultural Competence and Appropriation” by HP Rivers

Questions: 
Have you ever been in aformal identity caucus space?
What was notable about your experience as opposed to other mixed group experiences?

Where do you notice anyinformal identity caucus spaces in your life? What about these spaces feels safe or supportive?

Watch

Chicago Skaters Creating a Safe Space For BIPOC and Queer People | NBCLX (YouTube, 3:57)

Questions 

  • What benefits do the people from FroSkate find in having a BIPOC & Queer Space to explore skating?
    Are there parts of yourself that you could be more willing to explore in a similar safe space?

  • Do you think that “racial identity spaces” can help further the work of Unitarian Universalism, especially working toward dismantling white supremacy culture within ourselves and our faith?

  • What do you imagine might be supportive or challenging to you personally in a racial identity space?

Do

Pieces of Me Mosaic Self Portrait

Questions: 

What parts of yourself were easy to list quickly?

Which ones took more time to come up with?

Was “Unitarian Universalist” one of the things that you included?

How could your faith community better hold the pieces of you and your identities that deviate from the dominant culture?

Close

Question: What is one important part of yourself that you bring to this faith?

Quote: “Immerse yourself, unapologetically, in what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist in these days. Then go out into the world and live knowing that your faith matters. May the poetry of our hearts set us free.” -Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt

Take Home

If you were unable to finish your Mosaic Self Portrait, take home to finish.

As you finish your mosaic, listen to this song and think about the pieces of who you are and what you bring to this faith.

“I Am Light” by India Arie (youtube) (3:53)

How does it feel to be in spaces where you can bring more of yourself? How could you cultivate that feeling in more ways for yourself and others?