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