On January 6th, 2021, any illusion of safety or normalcy in our country that we might have been holding on to was visibly and violently shattered. We watched in horror as a mob, spurred on by the actions and rhetoric of the President of the United States, stormed the Capitol building in an attempt to forcibly overthrow the government. We saw rioters raise a noose on the steps of the Capitol building, parade a confederate battle flag through the rotunda, beat those seeking to prevent entry, and hunt for our legislators with visibly ill intent. Many people were injured and at least five people died as a result of these atrocities.
There can be no doubt now about the state of our country.
Make no mistake about it, this was part of a culture of white supremacy striking out as it feels itself losing grip on power and privilege, and as such, we who are white need to acknowledge our complicity. As Unitarian Universalists, we have to recognize that, every day that we are not actively and intentionally working to dismantle this culture of white supremacy in our society, our institutions, and ourselves contributes to its furtherance and is keeping us from the beloved community we profess to desire.
It is with this in mind that KUUJAN supports and promotes the adoption of an 8th Principle. The 8th Principle, as currently proposed, states: “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.”
KUUJAN covenants to live into this Principle and we encourage Unitarian Universalist congregations across Kentucky to do the same. This is the work we are called to do.
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