The Promise and the Practice

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On January 28, we participated in “The Promise and the Practice,” a UUA recommended service of reflection and commitment about the black experience of Unitarian Universalism. As part of that service, people wrote their hopes and fears. Reading them inspired me and I thought might speak to others. Maybe it will remind you of your own heart’s desires and dreads. Maybe someone else’s words will speak to you. Maybe you will see something you don’t understand or agree with. That’s OK. We move forward by sharing our experiences and feelings. I have not tried to put these in any particular order (I hope I got hopes and fears classified correctly!):

Hopes:

  • That we help and interact with black people and organizations that work for justice.
  • That public education continues strongly part of integration
  • Work on politics that support justice.
  • Hope that I can recognize bias and privilege with recognition we can change the world for the better.
  • I’m reaching out to be with our community.
  • Black Lives Matter: My hope is to see this phrase on our UUFM building. I saw it, a huge sign, on Rev. Sinkford’s UU church in Portland! So welcoming!
  • I hope for better understand among all people.
  • Hope I’ll be a friend of the BSU [Black Student Union on campus].
  • I hope to do my own part and more.
  • I hope everyone could just get along.
  • I hope for the words to help change lives.
  • Fairness/equality in practice/policy.
  • I hope that the 12 to 1 inequality in wealth between white and black households is eliminated in the USA.
  • I want to reach out when I see injustice – I hope I have the courage to do so.
  • Hope that we can help people be less threatened by differences.
  • I hope for racial equality and the courage to be happy when moves are made in that direction.
  • My sincere hope for love and harmony in our country.
  • I hope to open my love of all people.
  • Extend my circle of friends to include more people of color and demonstrate my commitment to inclusivity in daily action:
    • Speak to my neighbor weekly.
    • By the end of the month find info on local Black Lives Matter chapter.
    • Attend BLM meeting in Feb.
    • Leave my comfort zone and speak to people I do not know well specifically those who are of other ethnicity from me.

Fears:

  • My fear is for what we are leaving for our future generations if we do not change our country’s course of hate and revenge.
  • I fear being a part of “the problem.”
  • I fear for the fate of our Democracy. We need all of us to keep her breathing.
  • Exposure.
  • Adjusting to my own and partner’s failing physical and mental abilities with grace and kindness.
  • Fear that people will feel that the success of others will threaten their own well-being.
  • Racial profiling will not change or end.
  • Good intentions are hard to carry out. I do not always follow through.
  • My fear is that I will continue to be thought of as privileged because I am white, even though I have lived a life anything but privileged. My privilege is to still be alive. My confession is that I will continue to champion underprivileged of all types.
  • I have not given wholeheartedly to this gift of life.
  • I fear that I cannot make change in my community.
  • Fear: that I stay within my comfort zone of like-minded people. I should expand the diversity of my friends and not feel like a fraud while I do it.
  • That those who hate prevail.
  • To not offend black lives anymore.

Thanks for your commitment to the work,

Jonalu

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