First Universalist Church Racial Justice Resolution

For approval by the Congregation at the May 31, 2015 Annual Meeting of the Members

Whereas:

• We are witnesses to a crisis in our nation regarding systemic racism and oppression in education, employment, government and our justice system;

• Systemic racism has been highlighted in the news media because of the pervasive mistreatment, including recurring killings, of African Americans and other people of color by law enforcement officers in communities throughout the nation;

• We are guided by the following definitions: Racial Justice is the systematic fair treatment of people of all races, resulting in equitable opportunities and outcomes for all; a Racial Justice Lens focuses on ways in which race, racism, and whiteness shapes experiences with institutional and cultural power, access to opportunity, treatment and outcomes, both today and historically;

• The impacts of systemic racism are fundamentally at odds with our Unitarian Universalist beliefs, and confronting racial inequity and oppression is essential for our humanity and spiritual life;

• First Universalist Church has made a commitment to Racial Justice through intensive education and training of our congregation on the historical and current impacts of systemic racism and white privilege on society and the environment;

• We have created a Racial Justice Leadership Team and a Faithful Action Leadership Team to provide guidance for our Racial Justice work;

• First Universalist Church has undergone an extensive Racial Justice mapping process to define the most strategic areas for change, within our church structure, that will have the most impact on eliminating structural racism within our church;

• We have made a commitment to looking at our worship services, religious education curricula, board meetings, committees, and all our programming with a Racial Justice Lens; and

• Members of our congregation and clergy are standing next to our brothers and sisters in public protests, on social media, and in our communities to support efforts to address racial injustice;

Therefore, be it resolved that:

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis publicly declares its commitment to:

• Continuing the fight for Racial Justice through ongoing changes to the processes of the church, education, advocacy, self-reflection, and relationship-building; and

• Addressing structural racism and whiteness in First Universalist Church through intentional efforts in every area of our ministry and work.