A CALL FOR DENOMINATION-WIDE DIALOG & CONSENSUS BUILDING

I am an 18 year member of First UU in Richmond, VA

Long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, Maryland. Without question, combating racism is a worthwhile UU value, but the UUA has carried this to an unworthy extreme. As Aristotle said, "Any virtue carried to extremes becomes a vice."

Former Board President, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, 9 year member in good standing

33 year member UU Congregation of Columbia, MD. I wholeheartedly agree with everything in this petition. We need to return to congregational polity, and having free and open respectful discussion of ideas. Divisive approaches to social activism are destructive. They DO NOT support spirituality, and extensive research has shown that shaming is an ineffective change strategy.

The continual emphasis on WSC and the continual lack of emphasis on anything remotely actionable is a clear indication that WSC is nothing more than virtue-signaling nonsense with veneer of race-based affirmative hiring. WSC is simply being used to force more POC into UU hiring.

YES< this is so needed!

I am a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia (Maryland UUCC)

The current language, attitudes and efforts of the UUA are designed to shame some good folks who would dare question what is going on with the UUA. The lack of a "Letters to the Editor" section to the UU World is a prime example of suppression of ideas of good people who are not sequestered at UUA headquarters. That is the real shame.

Sixty years of out-liberalizing every other denomination seems to be leading to groupthink, which suppresses other views and is counter to our principles.

I agree,

We MUST talk

Something needs to be done -- soon. Headquarters exists to be a service organization and it isn't doing it's job. Currently, it is captured by activists with large agendas who want to impose their ideas and marching orders on the laity. They don't seem to understand that UNITARIANS DON'T MARCH WELL.

Eileen

UU for over 25 years. Have to agree that we have gotten more closed minded and need more discussion and independent thinking.

Guilt is counterproductive. Anti-racism that relies on guilt creates Trump supporters and worse. Dr. King saw everyone as a potential asset rather than seeing a majority of the population as guilt-laden liabilities. His approach is badly needed today.

Active UU since 1961 until my patience ran out a couple of yeas ago.

I too have been disturbed by the suppression of divergent views on how to achieve true social justice, and the lack of a letters to editors page. As a life-long anti-racism and civil rights activist, I am disturbed by the simplistic 'black and white" rhetoric and the application of "white supremacy culture" to our congregations. We need more cultural diversity and anti-racism training to be sure. But we don't need to become a monolithic cult to do it.

We have to respect the worth and dignity of each person, and stop shutting down open debate.

I was Vice President of the MidAmerica Region UUA when this great purge occurred. I saw good people whom I knew and respected thrown under the bus with no regard to our UU Principals. I resigned my position as I was no longer able to support this new attitude of devision by identity. I’m mystified how UUA leadership can believe that Separating folks based on identity can create unity. Much dialogue needed.

We must support open discussion such as epitomized by Eklof and renounce racist exclusionary policies as practiced by certain UU subgroups.