We know that the world we return to from the domain of coronavirus isolation will not be the same as the world we left. We were already feeling on the cusp of something new–too soon to know whether new would be good or bad. With climate change, political stalemate and dysfunction, increased nationalism around the world, increased racial and cultural diversity here at home, and a growth in activism, change has been inevitable. With COVID-19 added to the mix, the change is accelerated and thrust upon us. And there’s no clear vision of the future, with the uncertainties and ambiguities we face.
Last Saturday, I attended the virtual Regional Assembly of the MidAmerica Region of the UUA. There Rev Leslie Takahashi (chair) and several other members of the Commission on Institutional Change talked about their process and recommendations. Also, Taquiena Boston, Special Advisor to the [UUA] President for Inclusion, Equity, and Change, drew on Antionette Carroll’s work to wonder whether we can design Beloved Community. These two presentations in the context of the pandemic have pushed me to think about how we use this critical juncture in time to move towards envisioning and remaking our communities at all levels more just, equitable, and compassionate.
The Commission on Institutional Change is looking at the UUA and at our congregations to see how we can become a true voice for liberation and against oppression, and how we can live out these commitments within our own institutions. They have gathered stories from more than 1000 UU’s and identified key leverage points to create real change in our association. They’ve identified many areas to address from grounding in a theology of covenant to education for liberation to supporting innovation and risk-taking, acknowledging harm and centering justice. We have the capacity to change Unitarian Universalism into a truly liberating, anti-oppressive movement if we listen to what they have learned. You can learn more at https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/cic/blog. Watch for their final report at General Assembly this summer, which will be a virtual event [uua.org/ga].
Taquiena Boston invited us to consider how our broken system must be working for someone. To design Beloved Community, we need to expand “we” until all people of all identities can thrive. We have lived within a system that supports and produces inequities, in fact, was designed to do so. How do we design to dismantle the inequities?
The pandemic continues to surface inequity within our institutions and systems. Addressing these inequities can happen through a variety of structures–charitable groups like Shepherd’s Crossing, support for local businesses from regular people and from governments, mutual aid (check out facebook.com/MutualAidMHK), advocating for government to be more equitable, and helping all to find their voices. It’s part of our UU vision to embrace such work and find our place in it. Through it all, we love and support ourselves and all our neighbors.
So may it be, Jonalu
Contact Rev Jonalu Johnstone at revjonalu@uufm.net.