BUF Black Lives Matter Service Script 11/12/17

CELEBRANT SCRIPT
For Worship at Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

We Have All Been Charged
November 12, 2017


BELLS/PRELUDE (1-3 minutes)
· 10:28 first bell, outside
· 10:29 second bell, inside

Cat:
Good morning. Before we begin, let’s take a moment to quiet our minds, settle our hearts, and silence our cell phones as we listen to the prelude.

Smiling Faces, Erika, Hilde, David, Karen and Chad

WELCOME/OPENING WORDS: Cat McIntyre
Good morning. My name is Cat McIntyre. I've been a member of BUF for six years. You may know me as a cook, or recently an RE teacher, but I am also a member of the BUF Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team. This service
is a collaborative effort by several members of that Team. The title of the service, We Have All Been Charged, comes from the Unitarian Universalist Association UUA World Fall 2017 issue, which presents this year's General Assembly Report from New Orleans.

At the General Assembly, Dr. Robin DiAngelo spoke to three, packed, sessions about how to develop White racial literacy. I quote from her book on the subject: What It Means to be White.
"I now understand that race is a profoundly complex social system that has nothing to do with being progressive or "open-minded." In fact, we whites who see ourselves as open-minded can actually be the most challenging populations of all to talk to about race,
because when we believe we are "cool with race," we are not examining our racial filters. Further, because the concept of "open-mindedness" (or "colorblindness," or lack of prejudice) is so important to our identities, we actually resist any suggestion that there might be more going on below the surface, and our resistance functions to protect and maintain our racial blinders and positions."

LIGHTING THE CHALICE: (1-2 minutes)
· Physically ignite the flame -- Erika
Elizabeth Skinner:
Acknowledgement of this land owned by Lummi and Nooksack peoples.
We light this chalice to remind ourselves of the Light of Justice we hold dear in our minds and hearts, and our commitment to work for a just and fair world for everyone.

Please join in our covenant - Love is the spirit of this fellowship and service gives it life. Celebrating our diversity, and joined by a quest for truth, we work for peace, and honor all creation. This is our covenant."

RE MINUTE - Jennifer Smith

CHILDREN’S FOCUS (4-5 minutes)
Erika: with overhead projections of book pictures

CHILDREN’S BLESSING (2 minutes)
We sing while the kids leave for their classes

We hold you in our love as you go, as you go. May your heart be at peace as you go. To nurture the spark of your precious life, we hold you in our love as you go.

GATHERING SONG (3 minutes) - I Wish I Knew What It's Like to Be Free, #151

ANNOUNCEMENTS (3-5 minutes)

1. I’d like to make a special welcome now to our visit
ors. If
you would like to know more about BUF please complete one of the green forms in the pew rack (hold one up) and drop it in the collection basket later. If you’d like a printed nametag, please put your name on the clipboard in the entryway.

2. More Announcements

GREETINGS (2 minutes) Erika
· Invite visitors to stand and tell us their name and where they are from. Erika walks around with hand-held microphone

MESSAGE Judy Pine, Injustice isn't new. (7-10 min.)

ERACISM MINUTE
· Video "The Talk" introduced by Judy Pine: White Supremacy means white Americans do not have to have this talk with their children

MEDITATIONS interspersed with silence (3 minutes) Mary Alden -- I Have Peace Like A River

Mary: Now I would like to invite Becky Kinley and Kyle Jansen, to come up to give us a brief description of the Lummi Youth Canoe Family, our Social and Environmental Justice Collection beneficiary for this month. There is more information in the BUF Midweek Update about this project.

SEJC speaker (3-5 minutes)

OFFERTORY/SPECIAL MUSIC
Cat : I now invite the ushers to receive our morning offering. All of the offerings will go to the Lummi Youth Canoe Family project. If you want to make your regular offering to BUF, please put it in an envelope with a note that it is for BUF. If
you’re here for the first time today please consider yourself
our guest and just pass the basket along with a smile.

Ella's Song, Womyn's Ensemble

SENDING SONG - Please stand if you're willing and able to sing Hymn # 1008 in the teal hymnal, When our Heart is In A Holy Place.

BENEDICTION / CLOSING WORDS / EXTINGUISHING CHALICE - Cat
The insert in your Order of Service is additional information that the Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team has found very helpful in our efforts and wants to share with the congregation. You are also invited to join us for coffee after the service and talk to any of us there.

A final quote from Rev. Dr. Mark Morrison-Reed, found in the UUA World Fall issue, is our benediction:
“The time in Unitarian Universalism when black lives didn’t matter has passed. Nonetheless, change is generational, incremental, and bruising. It comes, but not necessarily on our time schedule. We have fallen short and will again, and when we do we need to pause and pray and ask, “What does love demand of me?” and then stand up and try again. Impatience is not what sustains us, but rather dreams, hope, work, and companionship—the chance to pour out one’s life for the faith, principles, and people whom we value.”

CIRCLE ROUND FOR FREEDOM

Eracism Minute - 12/3/17 - Debbie Boots

My​ ​ name​ ​ is​ ​ Debbie​ ​ Boots.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ was​ ​ born​ ​ in​ ​ Memphis,​ ​ TN​ ​ in​ ​ 1955.​ ​ ​ So​ ​ I ​ ​ spent
those​ ​ crucial​ ​ development​ ​ years​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ 1960s​ ​ and​ ​ 70s​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ South.
In​ ​ Memphis,​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ 1960’s,​ ​ the​ ​ racial​ ​ split​ ​ was​ ​ about​ ​ 38%​ ​ Black​ ​ and​ ​ 61%
White,​ ​ and​ ​ less​ ​ than​ ​ 1%​ ​ Other.​ ​ ​ ​ Today​ ​ the​ ​ split​ ​ is​ ​ reversed​ ​ - ​ ​ about​ ​ 61%
Black​ ​ and​ ​ 34%​ ​ white.​ ​ ​ When​ ​ the​ ​ schools​ ​ were​ ​ integrated​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ late​ ​ 60’s
early​ ​ 70’s,​ ​ the​ ​ number​ ​ of​ ​ white​ ​ students​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ city​ ​ schools​ ​ dropped​ ​ from
71,000​ ​ to​ ​ 40,000.​ ​ ​ Fear​ ​ of​ ​ living​ ​ and​ ​ going​ ​ to​ ​ school​ ​ with​ ​ black​ ​ people
caused​ ​ white​ ​ people​ ​ to​ ​ flee​ ​ to​ ​ the​ ​ suburbs​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ county​ ​ - ​ ​ out​ ​ of​ ​ the​ ​ city
schools.​ ​ ​ Suburbs​ ​ with​ ​ names​ ​ like​ ​ Whitehaven​ ​ and​ ​ Germantown.
My​ ​ family​ ​ did​ ​ not​ ​ live​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ suburbs​ ​ or​ ​ the​ ​ counties.​ ​ ​ We​ ​ lived​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ city
center​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ house​ ​ my​ ​ grandfather​ ​ built​ ​ for​ ​ my​ ​ grandmother​ ​ as​ ​ a ​ ​ wedding
present.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ went​ ​ to​ ​ school​ ​ with​ ​ black​ ​ kids​ ​ from​ ​ 5th​ ​ grade​ ​ on.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ was​ ​ in​ ​ 9th
grade​ ​ when​ ​ the​ ​ Rev.​ ​ Dr.​ ​ Martin​ ​ Luther​ ​ King​ ​ was​ ​ murdered​ ​ in​ ​ my
hometown.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ remember​ ​ the​ ​ fear​ ​ that​ ​ gripped​ ​ my​ ​ neighborhood​ ​ as​ ​ the​ ​ city
exploded​ ​ into​ ​ riots.You​ ​ know​ ​ how​ ​ kids​ ​ learn​ ​ languages​ ​ more​ ​ easily​ ​ when​ ​ they​ ​ are​ ​ immersed
in​ ​ that​ ​ language​ ​ at​ ​ an​ ​ early​ ​ age?​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ was​ ​ immersed​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ language​ ​ of
racism.​ ​ ​ It​ ​ is​ ​ a ​ ​ language​ ​ full​ ​ of​ ​ belittling​ ​ and​ ​ hate.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ have​ ​ said​ ​ and​ ​ done
things​ ​ in​ ​ my​ ​ life​ ​ that​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ am​ ​ deeply​ ​ ashamed​ ​ of.
Using​ ​ the​ ​ language​ ​ of​ ​ AA,​ ​ I ​ ​ am​ ​ a ​ ​ recovering​ ​ racist.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ am​ ​ not​ ​ a ​ ​ racist​ ​ in​ ​ my
heart.​ ​ ​ As​ ​ a ​ ​ lesbian,​ ​ I ​ ​ have​ ​ experienced​ ​ forms​ ​ of​ ​ discrimination​ ​ and​ ​ I ​ ​ have
great​ ​ empathy​ ​ for​ ​ the​ ​ pain​ ​ that​ ​ illogical​ ​ hatred​ ​ or​ ​ misinformation​ ​ can​ ​ cause.
And​ ​ I ​ ​ am​ ​ not​ ​ a ​ ​ racist​ ​ in​ ​ my​ ​ head.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ know​ ​ now​ ​ that​ ​ I ​ ​ was​ ​ taught​ ​ beliefs​ ​ and
opinions,​ ​ not​ ​ facts​ ​ and​ ​ truths.​ ​ ​ But​ ​ I ​ ​ grew​ ​ up​ ​ surrounded​ ​ by​ ​ racism​ ​ and​ ​ I
find​ ​ myself​ ​ wary​ ​ around​ ​ black​ ​ people.​ ​ ​ Wary​ ​ of​ ​ me,​ ​ not​ ​ them.
Because​ ​ internalized​ ​ racism​ ​ can​ ​ be​ ​ subtle.​ ​ ​ I’ll​ ​ give​ ​ you​ ​ a ​ ​ personal
example.​ ​ ​ Several​ ​ years​ ​ ago​ ​ I ​ ​ went​ ​ to​ ​ a ​ ​ national​ ​ conference.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ didn’t​ ​ know
anyone​ ​ there​ ​ but​ ​ I ​ ​ was​ ​ expected​ ​ to​ ​ make​ ​ useful​ ​ contacts​ ​ for​ ​ my​ ​ company.
The​ ​ first​ ​ night​ ​ was​ ​ an​ ​ ice​ ​ breaker​ ​ event.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ dread​ ​ those.​ ​ ​ I’m​ ​ not​ ​ good​ ​ at
meeting​ ​ strangers​ ​ (though​ ​ I’ve​ ​ gotten​ ​ better).​ ​ ​ So​ ​ I ​ ​ gave​ ​ myself​ ​ the​ ​ little
pep​ ​ talk​ ​ about​ ​ how​ ​ you​ ​ get​ ​ out​ ​ of​ ​ a ​ ​ situation​ ​ what​ ​ you​ ​ put​ ​ into​ ​ it​ ​ and​ ​ off​ ​ I
went.​ ​ ​ And​ ​ it​ ​ went​ ​ fine.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ started​ ​ talking​ ​ with​ ​ one​ ​ woman​ ​ and​ ​ then​ ​ anotherperson​ ​ joined​ ​ us​ ​ and​ ​ by​ ​ the​ ​ end​ ​ of​ ​ the​ ​ evening​ ​ I ​ ​ had​ ​ met​ ​ some​ ​ wonderful
people​ ​ and​ ​ made​ ​ some​ ​ good​ ​ connections.​ ​ ​ Later,​ ​ in​ ​ my​ ​ room,​ ​ I ​ ​ reflected
on​ ​ what​ ​ I ​ ​ had​ ​ done​ ​ to​ ​ make​ ​ that​ ​ happen.​ ​ ​ It​ ​ went​ ​ so​ ​ well.​ ​ ​ I ​ ​ tried​ ​ to​ ​ figure
out​ ​ how​ ​ I ​ ​ picked​ ​ that​ ​ first​ ​ person​ ​ to​ ​ speak​ ​ to..​ ​ ​ And​ ​ I ​ ​ realized​ ​ that​ ​ I ​ ​ had
approached​ ​ the​ ​ one​ ​ black​ ​ woman​ ​ in​ ​ the​ ​ room​ ​ - ​ ​ and​ ​ I ​ ​ totally​ ​ understood
that​ ​ was​ ​ because​ ​ I ​ ​ saw​ ​ her​ ​ as​ ​ the​ ​ least​ ​ threatening,​ ​ least​ ​ powerful​ ​ person
there.​ ​ ​ And​ ​ that,​ ​ my​ ​ friends,​ ​ is​ ​ racism.​ ​ ​ And​ ​ I ​ ​ wondered​ ​ how​ ​ that​ ​ had
shown​ ​ up​ ​ in​ ​ my​ ​ hiring​ ​ decisions​ ​ and​ ​ mentoring.​ ​ ​ So​ ​ I ​ ​ have​ ​ a ​ ​ reason​ ​ to​ ​ be
wary​ ​ of​ ​ me.
So.​ ​ This​ ​ is​ ​ about​ ​ me.​ ​ ​ It’s​ ​ not​ ​ about​ ​ you.​ ​ ​ But​ ​ I ​ ​ wanted​ ​ to​ ​ share​ ​ with​ ​ you
what​ ​ I’m​ ​ doing​ ​ about​ ​ this.​ ​ ​ What​ ​ I’ve​ ​ tried​ ​ to​ ​ do​ ​ is​ ​ learn​ ​ a ​ ​ new​ ​ language.
Learn​ ​ facts​ ​ and​ ​ truths.​ ​ ​ And​ ​ ​ sometimes​ ​ this​ ​ learning​ ​ IS​ ​ painfully
uncomfortable.​ ​ ​ But​ ​ when​ ​ I ​ ​ feel​ ​ uncomfortable​ ​ I ​ ​ check​ ​ in​ ​ with​ ​ my​ ​ heart​ ​ -
what​ ​ is​ ​ this​ ​ feeling​ ​ and​ ​ where​ ​ is​ ​ it​ ​ coming​ ​ from?​ ​ - ​ ​ and​ ​ I ​ ​ check​ ​ in​ ​ with​ ​ my
head​ ​ - ​ ​ are​ ​ these​ ​ opinions​ ​ or​ ​ facts?​ ​ ​ And​ ​ I ​ ​ appreciate​ ​ the​ ​ grace​ ​ so​ ​ many
people​ ​ have​ ​ extended​ ​ to​ ​ me​ ​ on​ ​ this​ ​ journey.​ ​ ​ And​ ​ I ​ ​ ask​ ​ for​ ​ forgiveness
when​ ​ I ​ ​ fail.​ ​ ​ And​ ​ I ​ ​ persist.Thank​ ​ you.

BUF Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team Meeting Minutes - November 13, 2017

BUF Black Lives Matter Action Team, Minutes for Nov. 13, 2017

Exquisite Erika chaired the meeting.
Present were: Debbie Boot, Judy Pine, Carl Shumaker, Martie Olsen, Cat McIntyre, Lauralee Carbone, Mary Alden, Judy Kasper, Monica Griffin, Suzanne Dorscha, Shari Walton, Noel Higen, Karen Knukles-Flinn, Kristina Lee Podesva, and David Curley

Erika opened with a reading from Michael Blunt on UU history and race, and then reminded us our commitments to good listening and speaking practices.

There were many comments thanking all those from BLM who prepared and presented the worship service on November 12, including Cat, Judy, Hilde Erika, Karen, Libby, and the women’s choir for their moving music. Thanks to Judy for the signs. And thanks for the contribution of speakers from the Lummi Nation.

Erika commented about how we fought for the worship service against some push-back from the congregation. Kristina asked what the push-back was. Several people spoke about relations between the denomination and its teachings, BUF, and the BLM action team.

*We discussed the nature of the White Supremacy Teach-in, a UU program that happens twice a year, and how and why BUF missed doing this in October. We agreed that although the Teach-in is not a BLM matter per se, we did agree to organize this program for a date in March (?) 2017.

*Erika asked for volunteers to do the eracism moments in December, and the schedule is:
12/3 Debbie Boots
As/17 Shari Walton.
Erika reminded us that the eracism moments are supposed to be personal, from the heart.

Lauralee read us a comment that she received abou Liz’s eracism moment, commending its use of humor, but criticizing the other presenters for blaming white people without giving suggestions about what to do. She also shared her response, suggesting that white fragility is part of the problem.

Going around the table, people were invited to share why they have come.

There was a suggestion that we provide in our meetings a time to go over our encounters with others, successful and not so successful, to help us be self-aware, and become more able to intervene in hard conversations.

Erika opened a discussion of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome. She explained what it had meant for her to have taken on a lot of white culture, and she described the book as a source of comfort and a healing manual. She also suggested that it is deeply connected to the handout ‘White Supremacy Culture’ by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun.

*Next meeting with will discuss the first two parts.

Erika led us in a discussion of ‘White Supremacy Culture’, taking each of its topics in turn:

Perfectionism, versus a climate of appreciation and a learning organization.
Constant sense of urgency. Suggestion, develop realism about time and goals.
Defensiveness. Note its links to fear of losing power or prestige.
Quantity over quality. Suggestion, include goals about good process.
Worship of the written word. Suggestions, acceptance of other ways of knowing.
Paternalism.
Either/Or thinking. Suggestion, explore more alternatives.
Power hoarding.
Fear of open conflict. Suggestion, raise hard issues, express and be open to emotion.
Individualism. Suggestion, work of delegation, teamwork.
View that progress is bigger, more. Suggestion, think about what success is, develop 7th generation thinking.
Objectivity.
Right to comfort. Suggestion: don’t take things too personally.

Final words as we extinguished the flame: We must turn and reclaim our past in order to find our future.

Respectfully submitted
David Curley

Eracism Minute 9/3/17 David Curley

My name is David Curley. I am a member of the Black Lives Matter Action Team at BUF.

These thoughts have been inspired by Labor Day.

1. I believe that racism has always been used to defend money and power.

2. The fundamental strategy behind racism is divide and rule, seeking to set the interests of poorer whites against minorities, and to isolate minorities one from another.

3. The radical strategy against racism is solidarity. Essentially it means, honor each other’s picket lines and go to each other’s picnics.

4. For someone privileged like me to practice solidarity means that I have to put my status, money and power at risk.

September 11, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Black Lives Matter Ministry Team

Minutes 9-11-17

Attending:

Karen K-F Nan Lauralee

Cat Judy Pine Courtney

Martie Carl Heidi

Angie Libby Judy Kasper

Paul Suzanne

Agenda:

1. Eracism Minute Scheduling
2. Follow-up from Paul after last meeting
3. Plan November 12^th BLM service
4. Representative to Board vis a vis goal of “increasing vibrancy and diversity of congregation”

Heidi opened the meeting by recommending the November 2017 issue of the UU World magazine which contains many good articles on race. It is available online and in the lobby.

Paul thanked the Team for the conversation last month, stating that it was intense but important. Many issues from that meeting were clarified. The “us against them” feeling that developed was aired, as well as the loss of trust that occurred when previously agreed upon plans (the eracism minute) were changed. Concern was expressed that having the BLM service on the Sunday of the Retreat would reduce the audience significantly. This felt like a diminishment of the BLM message to many.

Paul noted that he had not even realized the service fell on the Retreat date and had meant no disrespect in assigning that date to BLM. It was suggested that the second BLM Service be later in the year to enhance planning time and impact of the message.

Re: the Eracism Minute and Process:

Paul is ultimately responsible for Sunday Services. He felt, partially because there had been a number of Sundays where BLM did not provide an Eracism Minute, that there were 5 Sundays that did not require a Minute. He took this idea to Ericka and Lauralee and they compromised on 2. Team members would have preferred to be involved in that decision. Tensions were increased when he mistakenly left BLM off the order of service, which he felt “terrible” about.

Us vs. Them:

It emerged that these events led to a feeling of us vs. them, and loss of trust between BLM and the BUF staff, from whom “rumblings” (why do we need these Eracism Minutes?) were being heard. Martie noted that the resolution gives BLM the charge to educate the congregation; that if we go back to the Mission the way forward is clear. Therefore, the question becomes where is the questioning of the activities coming from. Lauralee asked if BLM has full staff support. It was agreed that a conversation between BLM reps and the staff could be helpful in reducing tensions and facilitating anti-racist work at BUF. This meeting would include Paul, Kathy, Kevin and Jennifer and might resemble sensitivity training.

We acknowledged that these are difficult conversations to have and that putting everything on the table in clear, concrete language is needed to create a well-functioning team.

Learning Styles:

Angie pointed out that we are all learning, and that members of BLM consciously chose to focus on difficult discussions around race. And BLM has a charge to engage all congregation members including those that did not make that conscious choice. Addressing different learning styles could help engage more people. Suggestions for this included: insert messages in the order of service, use the BLM service to explain Eracism Minutes, using different modalities, eg visual, for teaching, Chalice Circles, Adult Education.

November 12^th Service:

Brainstorming ideas which included: Teach in; acknowledge vulnerability required for this work; white fragility; defensiveness; define white supremacy; fear of conflict; how issues are reflected in hiring decisions, etc.; hand signals and numbers used to communicate white supremacy; video showing white man and black man engaged in same activity eg renting apartment.

Explain Eracism Minute

Music: Answering the Call of Love, Smiling Faces, Ella's Story

Children's story: Pink and Say by Patricia Pollaco a possibility

video clip – The Talk

UUA Reads: Daring Democracy, Centering

Kick off Adult Education Curriculum

Board request for rep to “increase vibrancy and diversity of congregation”:

With the caveat that BLM deliberately rejected the idea of setting a goal of increasing the number of blacks in the pews, and that BUF may not be a safe place for Blacks, BLM chooses to participate with the Board so as to have input to their process and break down barriers. Partnering with Black Churches was also suggested.

Action items:

It was agreed that BLM would plan the November 12^th Service but not the October 8^th due to the coinciding of the Retreat date.

Eracism Minutes will occur every Sunday, except 9-17 and 12-10, through the end of this year.

October 1^st – Hilde, September 24^th – Judy

Paul will coordinate with the person providing the Eracism Minute

Us vs. Them

The Communication Committee (Courtney) will be the liaison to set up a meeting to build bridges between BLM and the staff (Paul, Cathy, Kevin, Jennifer). This committee will also communicate with staff re: services.

Learning Styles: Courtney, Martie and Suzanne will meet with Jennifer re: adult anti-racist program. Discussion will include curriculum choice, format, starting time.

November 12^th Service:

Libby, Kat and Karen will work with Lauralee and Ericka on Service.

Board Request:

Courtney will represent BLM to the Board.

Respectfully submitted, Suzanne Duscha

August 14, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

August 14, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, Cat, Hilde, Rod, David, Lisa, Judy K., Angie, Allegra, Heidi, Mary, Suzanne, Liz, Judy Pine, Carl

Chalice Lighting

Introductions & Ground Rules

Programming Committee Report:

•  Eracism Minute scheduling
• Adult UUA Racism Curriculum will be offered in the fall at a different day/time from our regular 2x/month meetings
• Children's Racism Curriculum to be theme of RE in 2018-19

Communications Committee Report: 
Hilde working on letter to editors of multiple newspapers re police practices and prosecution of abuses of Sharleena Lyles and others

Coalition Committee Report:
Initiative needs signatures gathered to get I-940 on the ballot: http://www.deescalatewa.org/
"This measure would require law enforcement to receive violence de-escalation, mental-health, and first-aid training, and provide first-aid; and change standards for use of deadly force, adding a “good faith” standard and independent investigation."

Program:  28 Racist Attitudes: http://www.culturalbridgestojustice.org/resources/written/detour

#25 The Accountant
We keep a tally sheet. If we perform some “feat of anti-racism,” we expect reciprocity from an individual or group of color, usually with some prestige or power that can serve our interests.
Reality Check and Consequence
  “I scratch your back, you scratch mine" is NOT justice seeking nor ally behavior. It serves only to reduce justice work to some kind of power brokering currency.

July 24, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

July 24, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, Cat, Paul, Martie, Hilde, Rod, David, Lucie, Rachel, Lisa, Sandra, Judy K., Karen N-F, Angie

Chalice Lighting

Introductions

Eracism Minutes Planning - EVERY WEEK, Permanently on Order of Service, add definition and intro
   

Communications Committee Report: 
Martie will connect with Director of Lifelong Learning, Jennifer Smith

Coalition Committee Report:
Cat reported on UUA General Assembly, including Bryan Stevenson, author of JUST MERCY as WARE Lecturer, as well as groups to connect with:

Equal Justice Initiative: https://eji.org/
Worthy Now Prison Ministry Network: https://worthynow.org/
Families on the Outside: http://www.familiesontheoutside.org/
Bellingham Families of Prisoners
Jan & Rick Krouskop's Alternatives to Violence

Program:  28 Racist Attitudes: http://www.culturalbridgestojustice.org/resources/written/detour

#24 Whites Only
I have no connection with or accountability to people of color. I do all my anti-racism with whites only. I am accountable only to other white people.
Reality Check and Consequence
While it is vitally important for white anti-racists to work with other white people, this detour results in white people again controlling the direction and focus of anti-racism work.

Learning to follow the leadership of, and taking direction from people of color, while being accountable to them are all vital components of our ally-ship.

July 10, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

July 10, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, Hilde, Libby, Liz, Rod, David, Heidi, Lee S., Lucie, Sita, Nancy, Mary, Courtney, Monica Koller, Lisa, Sandra

Chalice Lighting

Introductions

Eracism Minutes Planning
     Mary July 23
     Courtney July 16
     Erika July 30

Communications Committee Report: 
Hilde & David will write letters re police action accountability in justifiable homicide and research work done by the WA Legislative Committee on community policing.

Libby reported on the I-940 campaign: https://www.sos.wa.gov/_assets/elections/initiatives/FinalText_1372.pdf

New book by Robin DiAngelo: https://robindiangelo.com/publications/

Program:  28 Racist Attitudes: http://www.culturalbridgestojustice.org/resources/written/detour

#23 I Have to Do My Personal Work
"I have to do my personal work first." or "Ending racism is only about changing personal attitudes."

Reality Check and Consequence
     If we assume that personal reflection and interpersonal work is the end of our job as anti-racists, we will stay out of the public, institutional arenas. We will ignore cultural racist practices that don’t include us personally. We won’t take action, until we have finished ridding ourselves of all racist conditioning. And since that complete “cure” will never happen, we will never take any institutional or cultural anti-racist action.

 

June 26, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

June 26, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, Hilde, Libby, Alice, Martie, Liz, Angie, Lucie, Rod, David, Heidi, Nan

Chalice Lighting

Introductions

Moment of silence in remembrance of Charleena Lyles, mother, killed by Seattle police.

Communications Committee Report:  Lauralee excitedly presented the Rainbow Poster to be displayed in the Wayside Pulpit

Hilde updated on the RE Committee plans to incorporate race education into RE studies.

David will research who is working on laws to increase ability to change law enforcement officers' accountability/ability to prosecute.

Members are encouraged to write letters to newspaper/magazine editors as well as government representatives re police abuses, profiling and incarceration.

Those present signed a condolence card Liz will mail to Charleena Lyles' family.

Program:  28 Racist Attitudes

Smoke and Mirrors
We use the current politically correct language; we listen to the right music; we state the liberal line; we're seen at the right meetings with the right people.  We even interrupt racist remarks when the right people are watching and when there is no risk to us. We look lie anti-racists.

Reality Check and Consequence
This is the "Avon Ally," the cosmetic approach. People of color and other white anti-racists see through this pretense quickly.  This pseudo-anti-racist posturing only serves to collude with racism and weakens the credibility of sincere white anti-racists.

June 12, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

June 12, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, Cat, Rod Martie, Angie, David, Mike Betz, Alice, Courtney, Lisa, Hilde, Lucie, Heidi, Barbara, Sandra

Chalice Lighting

Introductions

Communication Committee Report: Buttons & Banners

Programming Committee Report: Eracism Minutes

Program: Detour-Spotting (Jona Olsson: www.culturalbridgesto justice.org/resources/written/detour)

#20 Teach Me or Help Me, I'm Stuck
"I want to stop acting like a racist, so please tell me when I do something you think is racist." (Spoken to a person of color.)

Reality Check and Consequence: White people often assume that they can learn about racism only from people of color. We further assume that people of color have the energy and/or desire to do this teaching. My understanding is that most people of color are weary of educating white people about racism.

We will get stuck. We'll get frustrated and impatient with ourselves and other white people in this struggle.  We'll stay stuck if we don't seek help from other white anti-racists.  Our inclination in the past has been to ask people of color to help us.  We should seek out other white people BEFORE we go to people of color.  Perhaps, as we become more trustworthy as allies, we will build genuine relationships with a few people of color who will offer their reflections for us when we get stuck.  But this is at their discretion, not ours.  We can't assume or act as though people of color whould be so grateful for our attempts at anti-racism, that they will be willing to guide us whenever we are ready to be guided.

#21 White on White, and Righteously So
"What is wrong with those white people? Cant they see how racist they're being?" or "I just can't stand to be around white people who act so racist anymore." And
You're Preaching to the Choir
"You're wasting your time with us, we're not the people who need this training."

Reality Check and Consequence:  We distance ourselves from "other" white people.  We see only unapologetic bigots, card-carrying white supremacists and white people outside our own circle as "real racists."  We put other white people down, trash their work or behavior, or otherwise dismiss them.  We righteously consider ourselves white people who have evolved beyond our racist conditioning.

This is another level of denial.  There are no "exceptional white people." (4) We may have attended many anti-racism workshops; we may not be shouting racist epithets or actively discriminating against people of color, but we still experience privilege based on our white skin. We benefit from this system of oppression and advantage no matter what our intentions are.  This distancing serves only to divide us from potential allies and limit our own learning.

Eracism Minute 8/14/17 Lauralee Carbone

This morning I'd like to recite a poem I wrote about my experience as a juror in the spring of 2015, entitled CARL.

CARL

Many black lives taken
Many police acquittals
Where is accountability?
Hopelessness abounds

Bellingham, Washington
Railroad and Holly
3 a.m. traffic violation
A black man hogtied

Thrown into a state trooper car
No breathalyzer, no blood test
Carl, arrested and charged with DUI

Police laughter recorded

Jury Selection
A colorblind judge censors defense

From referencing Carl's color

Jury trial
Six white jurors deliberate
Five minute acquittal

Carl finally walks free

This time, justice was attained
Hopefulness rises




Lauralee Carbone

Eracism Minute Intro

[Below is a suggested intro when presenting an Eracism Minute]


Good morning,

My name is ________________, here to present an Eracism Minute, a minute of consciousness-raising on behalf of the BUF Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team. Eracism is defined as the removal from existence of the belief that one race is superior to another.

[After the Eracism Minute, if appropriate]

I'll be downstairs during coffee hour if you'd like to learn more about my experience or the work of the Ministry Team.

RACE and REUNION, by David W. Blight

I recently started reading RACE AND REUNION by David W. Blight, a professor of history at Amherst College. The book, originally published in 2001, focuses on linkages between the post-Civil War period of 1865 - 1915 and 21st century racism in this country, specifically, how post-war cultures in both North and South deliberately reinforced institutional racism, in doing so obliterating historical assumptions that the war’s ending chattel slavery also eliminated most vestiges associated with the institution.

Today’s mainstream culture is the product of longstanding virulent historical racial bias reaffirmed in the cultural fabric of the United States over the 50 years following the American Civil War, where over 620,000 Americans died. Author Blight identifies three main "memory storylines" or "visions" that drove how the country remembered the Civil War between 1865 and 1915.

The first is the 'reconciliation vision,' rooted in North and South—separately and together—coming to terms with the overwhelming number of dead from the battlefields, prisons, and hospitals. An equivalent percentage of the population war dead today –that is, using the same percentage of Americans from the overall population of the United States who died between 1861 and 1865 in the Civil War and applying that percentage to the current population in this country--would mean 15 million dead Americans. The horror of the carnage drove reconciliation efforts between North and South for fifty years following Appomatox, in effect creating stronger unity between the former enemies, although the initially the South came grudgingly to the table.

The second was the ‘white supremacist vision,’ which took many forms immediately after the war ended. Terror and violence opposed the idea of reconciliation with freed slaves at any level, creating, essentially, a segregated memory of the Civil War perpetuated on Southern terms. The ‘Lost Cause’ myth of the former Confederacy found tremendous footing in the post-war South, its adherents stressing the noble, heroic nature of the doomed effort.

The third and final memory vision was the ‘emancipation vision,’ reflected in African Americans' complex remembrance of their own fleeting freedom within the politics of Radical Reconstruction. This freedom was temporarily bolstered by the presence of Union troops and military governors stationed in the vanquished Confederacy to oversee emancipation's progress. In 1877, with the election of President Rutherford B. Hayes, part of the deal struck with Southern Democrats placing Union Army veteran Hayes in the Oval Office was the complete removal of Union troops from the South, giving white supremacists full control over every aspect of former slaves’ lives.

Although not prominently featured in school history books today, the North was a silent witness to Jim Crow laws, while fostering their own brands of blatant racial discrimination and suppression in every part of the country between the Civil War and World War I. The institutionalization of racism continued unabated, the carnage of the Civil war not moving the country towards any real confrontation with its checkered past.

What was the sacrifice in the Civil War about? Author David Blight argues that the visions of reconciliation and the rise of white supremacy in the South together muted the emancipation vision, rendering it all but irrelevant to society’s greater concerns. In the words of the author, "the inexorable drive for reunion both used and trumped race," essentially silencing the emancipation vision for 50 years and beyond. True emancipation would have to wait for 100 hundred years following the end of the Civil War to realize modest achievements on the long path to the justice that continues to elude black Americans today.

I will talk more about RACE AND REUNION, in upcoming blogs.

Rod Haynes

BUF Black Lives Matter

May 22, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

May 22, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Meeting Team Minutes

The team reflected on the results from the congregation passing our Resolution with a vote of 95-1 and then celebrated with a potluck!

Now the work continues in earnest. We divided the work into 3 categories:

I.  Programming

    A. Children's Religious Education

    B. Adult Religious Education

         1. UUA Race Curriculum: http://www.uua.org/racial-justice/curricula/building-the-world-we-dream-about

         2. Sunday Forums

         3. Other

    C. Team Meetings

         1. Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome

         2. Other

    D. Incarceration Issues 

II.  Communications

      A.  ERACISM Minutes

      B.  Social Justice Kiosk in Social Hall

      C.  Poster in Wayside Pulpit

      D.  Blog

      E.  Companion BLM Banner with Standing on the Side of Love Banner

      F.  Name Badges for Team Members

III. Coalitions & Outreach

      A. Bellingham Black Lives Matter

      B. Racial Justice Coalition

      C. Human Rights Coalition

      D. Liberal Ministers Group

      E. UCC Race Workshops

      F. SURJ (Jim)

      G. What Now?   

      H. WA Women's Prison

BUF BLACK LIVES MATTER RESOLUTION PASSES OVERWHELMINGLY!

At the BUF Congregational Meeting on May 21, 2017, the BUF Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team put forth a Resolution which the congregation passed overwhelmingly with a vote of 95-1.

April 10, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

April 10, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees:  Lauralee, Erika, Mary, Martie, Rod, Alice, Heidi, Steve, Mike Brunt, Lucy Morse, Hilde, Judy

Business:

Resolution: Rod to distill versions into a simple, meaty Resolution to be publicized and promoted at Coffee Hour, Orders of Service, Eracism Minutes, Facebook group, BUF-News, and Midweek Update.

The Team will provide a Resolution educational session at noon during Coffee Hour in the library on May 14th.

On Monday, April 17th, a workgroup will meet to plan a "Resolution Blitz."

Hilde to write up Black Lives Matter Team meeting announcements for Midweek Updates.

Banner & Posters to come after Resolution passes.

Resource: THE WARMTH OF OTHER SUNS

Black Lives Matter Resolution

Black Lives Matter Resolution

Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship

Whereas Unitarian Universalists, in keeping with long-standing tradition, remain committed to principles of justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;

Whereas Unitarian Universalists continue to envision and work towards a world community practicing liberty and justice for all;

Whereas the 2015 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association passed an Action of Immediate Witness (http://www.uua.org/statements/support-black-lives-matter-movement) calling congregations to take deliberate action in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and in the fight for racial justice;

and

Whereas our respect for the rights and dignity of every individual demands our standing in solidarity with victims of racial, ethnic, and religious hatred and bigotry, all by-products of U.S. white privilege and indifference to equal justice for ethnic minorities;


Resolved, that the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship:

1. Resolutely affirms our support of the UUA Action of Immediate Witness to support the “Movement for Black Lives Matter,” both in words and deeds.
2. Commits to educating ourselves and our community that institutional racism extends beyond white privilege and oppressive cultural systems, and that the unresolved struggles for justice and equality for Black people in the U.S.’s past remain the cause of our struggles today. 
3. Commits to partnering with local community organizations to leverage resources and harness the power of love to combat racism targeting Black people and oppression at all levels of our communities and their governments.

April 2, 2017 Sunday Forum

April 2, 2017 Sunday Forum

Erika and Lauralee led a second Black Lives Matter Forum to a packed BUF Boardroom.

Robin Diangelo's video was shown.

March 13, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

March 13, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, Heidi, Cat, Michael, Alice, Mike Betz, Martie, Rod Haynes, Nancy Steele, Liz E.

Business: Our team will host BUF coffee hour on May 14th
                 Rod Haynes will sell copies of his book as a fundraiser
                 Forum on April 2nd
                 At April 9th SEJC Meeting, we will present a resolution similar to the UUA GA 2015 Call                        to Witness and ask for support before presenting for a vote at the May Congregational                          Meeting

28 Racist Attitudes:  We discussed #16 "I was an Indian in a Former Life" as well as a discussion of cultural appropriation and the differences among Assimilation, Acculturation and Appropriation.

Eracism Minutes continue!

February 13, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

February 13, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, Virginia, Hilde, Martie, Alice, Judy, Noel, Nan, Cat, Heidi, Andrew, Michael, Mary, David

Business: T-shirts are in; pick up from Heidi.
                 Successful forum on 1/29/17 --packed! Another one scheduled for April 2nd.

Eracism Minutes: Michael, Hilde and Heidi volunteered to do some; reports these "minutes" are very effective in consciousness-raising.

28 Racism Attitudes:  We continue to discuss the reality and consequences of racist attitudes:

•   8.  But What About Me? i.e., "Look how I've been hurt, oppressed, exploited..."
•   9.  We Have Overcome, i.e., "We dealt with racism in the 60's with all the marches, sit-ins and speeches by Dr. King. Laws have been changed. Segregation and lynching are ended. We have some details to work out but real racism is pretty much a thing of the past."
• 10.  The End Run, Escapism, i.e., "Of course racism is terrible, but what about sexism? or classism? or heterosexism? or the attempt to evade recognition and responsibility for any form of oppression to divert attention away from racial injustice.
• 11.  Due Process, i.e., "Lady Justice is [color]blind." 

More Resources: Check out the ACLU actions, the Southern Poverty Law Center literature, and Michael Erik Dyson's book, TEARS WE CANNOT STOP.

February 27, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

February 27, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee, David, Martie, Mary, Judy, Libby, Courtney, Mike

Chalice Lighting: What wearing the Black Lives Matter T-shirt means; what you're getting out of the Black Lives Matter Ministry Action Team

Business: Hosting a Coffee Hour- Mary will be the lead on this; Date in May; Sign up using the Sign-up Genius; Wear our T-shirts; Be prepared to explain our team's purpose and activities

28 Racist Attitudes: We discussed the following:

• 12. Innocence by Association, i.e., "I'm not racist because...I have POC in my family, my lover is Black, I marched with Dr. King..."
• 13. The Penitent, i.e., "I am so sorry for the way whites have treated your people. or "I am sorry for the terrible things that white man just said to you." or other expressions of white guilt.
• 14. The White Wash, i.e., "He's really a very nice guy, he's just had some bad experiences with Koreans." 
• 15. Not Here in Lake Wobegon (or Bellingham...or BUF!)

January 23, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

January 23, 2017 BUF Black Lives Matter Team Meeting Minutes

Attendees: Erika, Lauralee C, Elizabeth S, Cat, Noel, Cheryl, Stephanie B, Steve H, Courtney, Liz E, Karen, David, Hilde, Mary, Sandra

Business:  David C will do "An Eracism Minute" at 1/29/17 service on white privilege.  Hilde will do one in 3 weeks; Libby will do one on 2/12/17.

Next Meetings: February 13 & 27, 6 pm

Program:  We discussed Racist attitudes from http://www.culturalbridgestojustice.org/resources/written/detour

#5 White Knight or White Missionary
Themes: "Know your whites: Who can be trusted?"

#6 Lighten Up
Theme: agent deletion; shift focus from perpetrator to victim

#7 Don't Blame Me
Theme: defensiveness; personalize remarks

Reminder to study up: http://www.uua.org/multiculturalism/black-lives-matter


Coming: new curriculum on racism: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B61siwvs4OIVQ3NTWmE1X1hIZzQ/view