Social Justice |
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Social justice is a major component of life at LCUUC. The Social Justice Committee offers LCUUC members and friends opportunities to apply their UU principles and beliefs in the larger community through education, direct service, advocacy for systemic change, and strategic distribution of our resources. We seek to cooperate and collaborate with other Unitarian Universalist and social justice organizations (faith-based and secular) in working together to promote peace, justice, and sustainability in our local and global communities.
Social justice is the lifeblood of our congregation. It nourishes us spiritually and enriches our community. We are committed to making a difference in our communities and in our world – to work to help our neighbors, to protect our environment (Green Sanctuary), and for peace and justice.
Social justice is the lifeblood of our congregation. It nourishes us spiritually and enriches our community. We are committed to making a difference in our communities and in our world – to work to help our neighbors, to protect our environment (Green Sanctuary), and for peace and justice.
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Black Lives Matter - Learn & Take Action for February 2021 #1 |
All of us feel called to do something to change our racist society, but we have little time. These twice a month Black Lives Matter Learn & Take Action emails give us a concrete way to learn something and then do something. This short commitment of time and energy allows you to make a difference.
This “Groundhog’s Day” edition of BLM Learn & Take Action reviews some of the articles and videos you might have missed. Here is a SUMMARY of things we learned in 2020:
LEARN & TAKE ACTION
This “Groundhog’s Day” edition of BLM Learn & Take Action reviews some of the articles and videos you might have missed. Here is a SUMMARY of things we learned in 2020:
LEARN & TAKE ACTION
- July #1 Watch Trevor Noah connect the dots on why people are marching for BLM HERE.
- July #2 She has rape colored skin and that is a monument. Read the essay HERE.
- August #1 Black teen learns self protection. Watch HERE.
- August #2 Read about Joshua Glover and origins of the Republican Party HERE.
- September #1 Systemic racism defined HERE. And described in graphs HERE.
- September #2 Kyle Rittenhouse and Waukesha County Republican “endorsement” HERE.
- October #1 Friends who “don’t agree with” the BLM movement? Talking points HERE.
- October #2 One teacher’s BLM lessons in Burlington, WI and her school’s reactions HERE. (NOTE: Read about Burlington HS teacher who attended Jan. 6 insurgency HERE.)
- November #1 Tipping and its racist history HERE.
- November #2 How Wisconsin became a bastion of white supremacy HERE.
- December #1 The “socialist” as a derogatory slur and racism by Heather Cox Richardson HERE. Deeper dive into understanding the connection between socialism and racism HERE.
- December #2 Enjoy a more light hearted video HERE.
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Black Lives Matter - Learn & Take Action for January 2021 #2 |
LEARN – Dylan Roof murdered 9 African Americans who welcomed him to their bible study at church. After the murders, police treated him to Burger King. Brandon Bernard, a Black teen, was implicated in the murder of two white Christians. He was not the shooter and was a model inmate. He was executed in December.
Kalief Browder, a Black 16-year-old, allegedly stole a backpack and spent 3 years at Riker’s Island without a trial. Riley Williams, a white 22 year old, is accused of stealing a laptop from Nancy Pelosi’s office and was released to her mom.
Read about Wisconsin’s law enforcement system and racism HERE.
TAKE ACTION – “Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it…” —Kareem Abdul-Jabar in an LA Times Op-Ed.
Watch Remembering Bronzeville, a free 57 minute film focusing on a Milwaukee Black neighborhood. Then join Clayborn Benson from the African American Historical Society Museum for a discussion Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7pm. Film link, discussion guide, and lecture sign-up HERE.
Ginger Goral, Social Justice committee, Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church, lcuuc.org
Kalief Browder, a Black 16-year-old, allegedly stole a backpack and spent 3 years at Riker’s Island without a trial. Riley Williams, a white 22 year old, is accused of stealing a laptop from Nancy Pelosi’s office and was released to her mom.
Read about Wisconsin’s law enforcement system and racism HERE.
TAKE ACTION – “Racism in America is like dust in the air. It seems invisible — even if you’re choking on it — until you let the sun in. Then you see it’s everywhere. As long as we keep shining that light, we have a chance of cleaning it…” —Kareem Abdul-Jabar in an LA Times Op-Ed.
Watch Remembering Bronzeville, a free 57 minute film focusing on a Milwaukee Black neighborhood. Then join Clayborn Benson from the African American Historical Society Museum for a discussion Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7pm. Film link, discussion guide, and lecture sign-up HERE.
Ginger Goral, Social Justice committee, Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church, lcuuc.org
LEARN – “You are a SOCIALIST!” is arguably the most derogatory slur conservatives can give progressives. This harkens back to the suppression of Blacks from a century and a half ago when rich white landowners didn’t want Black men to vote. Socialism being equated with something awful is racism. Read about socialism and Black suppression in history HERE. For a deeper dive into the correlation between being accused of being socialist and racism, listen to Heather Cox Richardson on Nov. 19, 2020 HERE. If you want to listen for less than an hour, begin at 54:00. Then if you are learning and want to hear more, start at the beginning. (Follow historian Dr. Heather Cox Richardson on Facebook) TAKE ACTION – Write physical letters this holiday season, purchase stamps that represent Blacks, and support the US Postal Service. The recent slow down of the postal service before the election and the attempt to begin to privatize it is likely racist, as over 20% of USPS workers are Black. Not sending out cards this year? Respond with a personal note to the sender of the holiday cards you receive. What a gift to your friend/relative! Your support of the USPS will help. Read about Write Black Love Letters HERE. Ginger Goral, Social Justice committee, Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church, lcuuc.org |
For the holidays, this BLM email is lighter than most. Enjoy your time with those who live with you! LEARN – Smile along with this VIDEO. While you are enjoying it, ask yourself what you notice about them. Be aware of your own biases and thought process while watching. But enjoy! TAKE ACTION – Our culture “normalizes” white skin color. Think of nylons colored “nude” or bandages in one pale white flesh color. Crayons too, have a Peach color (Flesh changed to Peach in 1962) but no Black or brown toned colors in the regular packs. Buy your children, grandchildren, and friends’ children Crayola’s Colors of the World or Multicultural crayons, sold at every retail store, so children can continue drawing people, but more realistically. Ginger Goral, Social Justice committee, Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church, lcuuc.org |
LEARN – Read about how Wisconsin became a bastion of white supremacy HERE. TAKE ACTION – Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church (LCUUC) is providing an LCUUC Holiday Gifts form for you to give donations and shop Black-owned businesses for the holidays, rather than traditional gifts. Instead of Black Friday shopping, give the gift of donations (or gifts from Black owned businesses) this holiday season. Ginger Goral, Social Justice committee member, lcuuc.org |
TAKE ACTION – Write your Assembly Representative about Robin Vos’s challenge of the Wisconsin election results. HERE is the information and statement from the Black Caucus Chair. Study after study after study have found no “irregularities” or voter fraud – none – and his tired attempt to once again suppress Black votes is unconscionable. You can add that there is no legislation for people affected by Covid (disproportionately minorities are affected) or any other legislation at all in over 200 days. Find out who your Wisconsin Assembly Representative HERE. Then put their contact information into your phone so it’s handy to email or call them. Ginger Goral, member LCUUC Social Justice Committee, Lake Country Unitarian Universalist Church lcuuc.org |
DISCUSSION: The Film "13th" & Discussion on Oct 18th 7pm
Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee
The Social Justice Committee is continuing to offer monthly opportunities for us to discuss films and books written by Black authors. This month, we will lead a discussion on the film “13th”. It is available on YouTube and Netflix. We encourage you to watch it before 7pm on 10/18 and join the Zoom discussion that evening. This powerful, award-winning film explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the prison industrial complex and the history of Black lives in post- Jim Crow America. As White people, one of the most important things we can do to support Black Lives Matter is to educate ourselves about systemic racism in our society. We hope you watch this film, and if possible, join our discussion. If you have any questions, contact Kerry Duma at kerryduma@gmail.com.
Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee
The Social Justice Committee is continuing to offer monthly opportunities for us to discuss films and books written by Black authors. This month, we will lead a discussion on the film “13th”. It is available on YouTube and Netflix. We encourage you to watch it before 7pm on 10/18 and join the Zoom discussion that evening. This powerful, award-winning film explores the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the prison industrial complex and the history of Black lives in post- Jim Crow America. As White people, one of the most important things we can do to support Black Lives Matter is to educate ourselves about systemic racism in our society. We hope you watch this film, and if possible, join our discussion. If you have any questions, contact Kerry Duma at kerryduma@gmail.com.
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RALLY AND MARCH FOR RACIAL EQUITY - Waukesha, Saturday, August 22nd
Our Social Justice partner organization - SOPHIA, does important and meaningful work around issues of racial equity, immigration, affordable housing and criminal justice reform. They are sponsoring a Rally and March for Racial Equity on Saturday, August 22nd, starting at Cutler Park in Waukesha at noon, and marching from Cutler to Frame park at 2:00. Join us if you can, with a mask and socially distanced, of course. You can drive too if you prefer. * Noon - Chalk the Walk at Cutler and Sign Making - family friendly * 2:00 - Speakers and March to Frame Park If you'd like more info or would like to volunteer to help, please contact Kerry Duma at kerrydum@gmail.com. We will be registering voters and can help with children's activities, among other things. |
DISCUSSION: Between the World & Me - August 30, 2020 7-8pm & Sept 27, 2020 7-8pm
Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee
The Social Justice Committee is offering ways for all of us to help work toward a world where Black Lives DO Matter. Twice a month, the Social Justice Committee is sharing ways to Learn and Take Action for Black Lives. All of us feel called to do something to change our racist society, but many of us feel that we have little time. These bi-monthly emails give you a concrete way to learn something – either reading something or watching a short video, and then do something – write a letter or participate in a class or an action. A short commitment of time and energy that can allow you to make a difference. Look for these emails on lekooks.
We are also leading Zoom discussions on highly recommended books and movies by African Americans that help us understand systemic racism in our society.
“An eloquent blend of history, reportage, and memoir written in the tradition of James Baldwin . . . It is less a typical memoir of a particular time and place than an autobiography of the black body in America. . . . Coates writes with tenderness, especially of his wife, child, and extended family, and with frankness. . . . Coates’s success, in this book and elsewhere, is due to his lucidity and innate dignity, his respect for himself and for others. He refuses to preach or talk down to white readers or to plead for acceptance: He never wonders why we just can’t all get along. He knows government policies make getting along near impossible.”—The Boston Globe
“Poignant, revelatory and exceedingly wise, Between the World and Me is an essential clarion call to our collective conscience. We ignore it at our own peril.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“A crucial book during this moment of generational awakening.”—The New Yorker
The New Jim Crow
“A call to action for everyone concerned with racial justice and an important tool for anyone concerned with understanding and dismantling this oppressive system.” – Sojourners.
“Undoubtedly the most important book published in this century about the U.S.” – Birmingham News
During the past decade, no single book was more directly responsible for reshaping how the American public understands race and mass incarceration than Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow – Carolyn Copeland, Daily Kos.
Sponsored by the Social Justice Committee
The Social Justice Committee is offering ways for all of us to help work toward a world where Black Lives DO Matter. Twice a month, the Social Justice Committee is sharing ways to Learn and Take Action for Black Lives. All of us feel called to do something to change our racist society, but many of us feel that we have little time. These bi-monthly emails give you a concrete way to learn something – either reading something or watching a short video, and then do something – write a letter or participate in a class or an action. A short commitment of time and energy that can allow you to make a difference. Look for these emails on lekooks.
We are also leading Zoom discussions on highly recommended books and movies by African Americans that help us understand systemic racism in our society.
- Our first discussion in July was on the movie Just Mercy. Those who participated said it was a rich discussion and they learned a lot. If you missed the discussion, we still encourage you to watch the movie.
- For August, Read Ta-nehisi Coate's "Between the World and Me". We will discuss this book on Sunday evening, August 30th from 7-8pm.
- For September, Read “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander. We will discuss this book on Sunday evening, September 27th from 7-8pm.
- Here are few reviews of these books:
“An eloquent blend of history, reportage, and memoir written in the tradition of James Baldwin . . . It is less a typical memoir of a particular time and place than an autobiography of the black body in America. . . . Coates writes with tenderness, especially of his wife, child, and extended family, and with frankness. . . . Coates’s success, in this book and elsewhere, is due to his lucidity and innate dignity, his respect for himself and for others. He refuses to preach or talk down to white readers or to plead for acceptance: He never wonders why we just can’t all get along. He knows government policies make getting along near impossible.”—The Boston Globe
“Poignant, revelatory and exceedingly wise, Between the World and Me is an essential clarion call to our collective conscience. We ignore it at our own peril.”—San Francisco Chronicle
“A crucial book during this moment of generational awakening.”—The New Yorker
The New Jim Crow
“A call to action for everyone concerned with racial justice and an important tool for anyone concerned with understanding and dismantling this oppressive system.” – Sojourners.
“Undoubtedly the most important book published in this century about the U.S.” – Birmingham News
During the past decade, no single book was more directly responsible for reshaping how the American public understands race and mass incarceration than Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow – Carolyn Copeland, Daily Kos.
VOTE FORWARD (7/28/20)
Our Vote Forward letter writing campaign is moving forward with great speed! Our goal was 2,000 letters by October 27.
We have letter writing commitments from 20 members for 2,920 letters! Proud of you LCUUC! Special thanks to our letter leader Chris Kunert!
So, we're upping our goal to 5,000. We can do this- its important, the campaigns will likely tighten up as November approaches.
Here's the details for those new to our campaign:
- Vote Forward targets people that are traditionally under-represented registered voters, have not voted for several elections, and are located in critical swing states like Wisconsin.
- Sign up on the Vote Forward website https://votefwd.org/, download letters in groups of 20, print them out, complete each letter by adding a sentence on why its important to vote (see my example attached), sign it, address an envelope, seal the letter inside, stamp and wait until October 27 to mail it. Each 20 letters take about 1 hour to complete. There is a potential for the mail date to move up due to early voting resulting from Covid-19 issues; I'll let you know if this happens.
- No Printer? Let me know how many letters you can write and I will print them out and get them to you.
- For those who would like help with postage, keep your postage receipts and we can get compensated from Vote Forward.
Does it really work? In a controlled study, 3.4% more of those receiving letters voted compared to the control group. That's 340,000 more voters in critical swing states like Wisconsin if Vote Forward meets their goal of 10 million letters (currently at 2.8 million). It does make a difference!
New letter writers, please let me know how many letters you've written so I can track our progress.
Phil Smith
LCUUC Social Justice Committee
psmithw318@gmail.com
p.s. The Vote Forward campaign is recommended by the UUA.
Black Lives Matter - Learn and Take Action (6/29/20)
Many of us want to do something to support the Black Lives Matter movement. The Social Justice Committee will be sending out bi-monthly Learn & Take Action ideas. Here's the first one:
Black Lives Matter - Learn & Take Action (BLM-LTA) for early July 2020
LEARN - Trevor Noah explains what to focus on => https://youtu.be/v4amCfVbA_c
TAKE ACTION - Create a Contact in your phone for your Wisconsin Assembly Representative with photo, phone#, email, and address. This makes it easy to contact them. *Call, email, or write a postcard or letter to your WI Assembly representative urging them to pass AB1012 limiting use of police force.
*If you are unsure who your Wisconsin legislative representatives are, look it up here => https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/MyElectedOfficials
Many of us want to do something to support the Black Lives Matter movement. The Social Justice Committee will be sending out bi-monthly Learn & Take Action ideas. Here's the first one:
Black Lives Matter - Learn & Take Action (BLM-LTA) for early July 2020
LEARN - Trevor Noah explains what to focus on => https://youtu.be/v4amCfVbA_c
TAKE ACTION - Create a Contact in your phone for your Wisconsin Assembly Representative with photo, phone#, email, and address. This makes it easy to contact them. *Call, email, or write a postcard or letter to your WI Assembly representative urging them to pass AB1012 limiting use of police force.
*If you are unsure who your Wisconsin legislative representatives are, look it up here => https://myvote.wi.gov/en-US/MyElectedOfficials
 Click here for images of event
HARTLAND VIGIL - Unite for Racial Justice
The community speaks out! Thanks to all of you who came out to the vigil on June 14th to remember George Floyd and stand together in support of racial justice. About 130 community and LCUUC members came out to hear our three guest speakers remind us that now is the time to speak out, to be uncomfortable, and to call for an end to all forms of systemic racism throughout our country. Come join the movement to support and advocate for change. Click on the image to see pictures taken at the vent. Organized by LCUUC, member of Black Lives Matter to Wisconsin UUs, partnering with SOPHIA Waukesha on issues of Racial Equity, Immigration and Criminal Justice Reform. ACTIVITY #1: "DRIVE TO DECARCERATE" |
FAMILY PROMISE UPDATE - 6/17/20 Family Promise of Waukesha County will continue to focus on homelessness prevention for the next few months. We do not find ourselves being able to pick up with the rotational model of housing that we have used in the past. The Executive Director, Joe Nettesheim, is meeting with others from around the country to see what they are doing and a few other hosting models have been suggested. We have no plans to host families until Sept/Oct and even that is in question. 
Anti-Racism Resources:
As mentioned in the Sunday, May 31, 2020, service, the following is a list of anti-racism resources supplied by the LCUUC Social Justice Committee. For Our White Friends Desiring to be Allies https://sojo.net/articles/our-white-friends-desiring-be-allies?fbclid=IwAR1pJLX02icthSnM0PGxSkNixoJGyOzyESuf1x7v4EqzX8E3sp8KwQ-8mcA |
Current Focus: Economic Justice
Planned Projects
Learn About the Issue: Movies That Matter, Common Read, Talk the Talk" Shelter the Homeless: Family Promise of Waukesha County http://www.fpowwc.org
Advocate for Fair Wages: Raise the Minimum Wage http://action.lowpayisnotok.org/page/content/november29
Build Empathy: Live Below the Line https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/usa/live-below-line & Cardboard City
Spend Ethically: Investing & Eating Out http://rocunited.org
Host CGATP Poverty and Mentor Training Education
Prevent Homelessness: Hope Center http://www.hopecenterwi.org
Learn About the Issue: Movies That Matter, Common Read, Talk the Talk" Shelter the Homeless: Family Promise of Waukesha County http://www.fpowwc.org
Advocate for Fair Wages: Raise the Minimum Wage http://action.lowpayisnotok.org/page/content/november29
Build Empathy: Live Below the Line https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/usa/live-below-line & Cardboard City
Spend Ethically: Investing & Eating Out http://rocunited.org
Host CGATP Poverty and Mentor Training Education
Prevent Homelessness: Hope Center http://www.hopecenterwi.org
Organizations We Support
A member of LCUUC does volunteer work at the Free Clothing Store in Waukesha's Hope Center.
Family Promise of Waukesha County http://www.fpowwc.org
SOPHIA Waukesha (Member) https://www.sophiawaukesha.org/about-sophia
Hope Center http://www.hopecenterwi.org
Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic http://www.wccdentalclinic.org
UU Service Committee http://www.uusc.org
Black Lives Matter http://blacklivesmatter.com
Southeastern Wisconsin Common Ground http://www.commongroundwi.org
Lake Area Free Clinic http://www.lakeareafreeclinic.org
Lake Country Bread of Life Community Meal http://www.lakecountrybreadoflife.com
America's Black Holocaust Museum https://www.abhmuseum.org/
Hebron House of Hospitality http://hebronhouse.org
Eras Senior Network (previously known as Interfaith of Waukesha County) https://eraswaukesha.org
FOOD PANTRIES:
Waukesha Food Pantry
Hartland Food Pantry
Oconomowoc Food Pantry
Pewaukee Food Pantry
New Berlin Food Pantry
Kettle Moraine Food Pantry
North Lake Food Pantry
Mukwonago Food Pantry
Sussex Food Pantry
SOPHIA Waukesha (Member) https://www.sophiawaukesha.org/about-sophia
Hope Center http://www.hopecenterwi.org
Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic http://www.wccdentalclinic.org
UU Service Committee http://www.uusc.org
Black Lives Matter http://blacklivesmatter.com
Southeastern Wisconsin Common Ground http://www.commongroundwi.org
Lake Area Free Clinic http://www.lakeareafreeclinic.org
Lake Country Bread of Life Community Meal http://www.lakecountrybreadoflife.com
America's Black Holocaust Museum https://www.abhmuseum.org/
Hebron House of Hospitality http://hebronhouse.org
Eras Senior Network (previously known as Interfaith of Waukesha County) https://eraswaukesha.org
FOOD PANTRIES:
Waukesha Food Pantry
Hartland Food Pantry
Oconomowoc Food Pantry
Pewaukee Food Pantry
New Berlin Food Pantry
Kettle Moraine Food Pantry
North Lake Food Pantry
Mukwonago Food Pantry
Sussex Food Pantry
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Welcoming Congregation:
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- To find what activities are currently scheduled, go to Upcoming Events.
- If you're interested in volunteering with the Social Justice Committee, go to Social Justice Com.
Mission Statement: LCUUC is a diverse religious community supporting one another in our spiritual search for truth, meaning and compassionate connection. Based on the Unitarian Universalist Principles and the transforming power of love, we strive for positive change in the world.
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Hours:
Business Office Hours: Tues, Weds, Fri. 8am - 4pm (Call for an appointment) Rev. Carin Bringelson, LCUUC Minister Tues, Weds, Thurs - Call for appointment Rev. Carin’s drop-in office hours are 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. each Thursday that she’s working. The Zoom link will always be: https://zoom.us/j/93906530079 You can also email her ahead of time to make an appointment: revcarin@lcuuc.org Director of Religious Education Hours: Tuesday 8am - 4pm (The DRE does not work in the month of July.) |
Associated with:
UU Association UU World Standing on the Side of Love Website Privacy Policy copyright 2021 LCUUC |
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