How White Supremacy Culture Shows Up in Ourselves and in Our Communities

Part of Mosaic Lifespan Curriculum

Open

Chalice Lighting

”A Vision for Unitarian Universalism in a Multicultural World”

“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. With this vision in our hearts and minds, we light our chalice.”

Light Chalice

Check-in prompt: What is one thing you need to set down in order to be fully present in this space today?

Read

These two pieces illustrate how WSC has shown up in our own tradition in recent history.

Note that these events happened in 2017 and a lot has changed in leadership around the UUA. See the take home information about the Commission on Institutional Change to learn more about what happened in response.

Watch

“How to Explain White Supremacy to a White Supremacist (YouTube)” by Kyle “Guante” Tran Myhre

Discuss: What does this piece bring up for you?

Do

“Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture” from Allies for Racial Equity, by Tema Okun

Review the list together and ask students to keep track of where they’ve noticed any of these characteristics at home, at school, or at church.

The list is a bit long and can be sent ahead of time in addition to reviewing together. Take time to explore questions that come up and talk through any sticky parts. This material is nuanced and deserves all the time it takes to explore thoroughly.

Discuss

  • What did you find surprising?
  • Did you notice anything that is within your power to change or address? Do you plan to do so?

Close

“DMs from the Divine” by HP Rivers

Check-Out Prompt: Understanding that we all have vast and varied understandings of the concept, what voice do you intend to “allow to be God’s,” ie. What voice or message do you want guiding you?

Take Home

“At the New Orleans General Assembly in 2017, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Commission on Institutional Change was established and charged by the UUA Board of Trustees to conduct an audit of white privilege and the structure of power within Unitarian Universalism, and analyze structural racism and white supremacy culture within the UUA.” (-UUA.org)

Explore work from the Commission on Institutional Change.

Learn about Black Lives of UU and find information about online sacred space specifically for Black UUs here: