USR Anti-Racism Commitment
Whereas, The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood’s Statement of Purpose asserts that we are a caring, religious community, welcoming and respecting diversity and working for social justice at home and in the world; and
Whereas, our membership is open without regard to creed, faith, national origin, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, physical challenge or other similar test; therefore be it
Resolved, that we, the members of The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood explicitly and publicly affirm our identity as an anti-racist religious community; and
Whereas, we, the members of The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, are guided by the Unitarian Universalist principles which affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, with justice, equity and compassion in human relations; therefore we
Resolve that our anti-racism commitment be reflected in the life and culture of the congregation through our policies, programs and practices as we continue to learn about racism. We Further Resolve to develop and work to implement strategies that dismantle racism through our adult religious education, children’s religious education, Sunday services, and community outreach and action.
Adopted May 5, 2002
Resolution on the “Eighth Principle”
Background:
A grass roots movement within the Unitarian Universalist Association is proposing an 8th principle be added to the seven that were adopted in 1985. That proposal is: “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.”
Our congregation has created a series of opportunities this year to discuss the proposal. It was clear there is strong support for the spirit and intent of the proposal. Individual UU congregations are adopting the proposal as written or proposals of their own design that fulfill that spirit and intent.
Resolution:
WHEREAS racism and its effects, including the deep divisions in our world caused by inequitable and unjust distribution of power and resources, are embedded in all social institutions as well as in ourselves and will not be eradicated without deliberate engagement in analysis and action and undertaking personal and institutional commitments to end racism, and
WHEREAS the Unitarian society of Ridgewood has a long history of working toward and supporting anti-racism and racial justice,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we carefully examine our own conscious and unconscious racism, and the effect that racism has on all our lives, regardless of our color. Further, we must uncover our links and complicity with all types of racial and other oppressions past and present, and act accountably through acknowledgement, apology, repair and reconciliation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we approve the spirit and intent of the proposed 8th principle to accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions, recognizing that the words may be modified as this principle moves toward adoption by the 2022 General Assembly.
Adopted by the Annual Meeting of the Unitarian Society of Ridgewood, June 13, 2021