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LCUUC’s Social Justice Committee, in collaboration with Black Lives Matter to Wisconsin UUs (BLM2WUUs) invites all of us to read the book “My Grandmother’s Hands”, and join a discussion group (online or in person) to discuss and share insights.
The book discusses how white supremacy creates generational trauma for white bodies, black bodies, and police bodies and how it manifests differently in each group. It also presents types of actions and “body practices” that can help persons in each group to understand and start a healing process from that trauma
Why read the book and join the discussion? Here’s a review by Robin D’Angelo, the author of White Fragility:
“My Grandmother’s Hands” is a revolutionary work of beauty, brilliance, compassion and ultimately, hope. With eloquence and grace, Resmaa Menakem masterfully lays out the missing piece in the puzzle of why, despite so many good intentions, we have not achieved racial justice. Yes, we need to understand white supremacy, but as Menakem so skillfully explains, white supremacy is not rational and we won’t end it with our intellect alone. White supremacy is internalized deep into our bodies. We must begin to understand it as white body supremacy and go to the depth of where it is stored, within our collective bones and muscles. To this end, “My Grandmother’s Hands” is an intimate guidebook toward racial healing, one that achieves that rare combination for its readers; it is deeply intellectually stimulating while also providing practical ways to engage in the process of repair, even as we read. I believe this book will change the direction of the movement for racial justice.” |
Sign up here by February 5th to attend 3 discussion groups – one each in late Feb, Mar and April.
Read on for more info:
Please join members of local UU congregations to discuss and share insights in facilitated, identity-based small groups from your reading of My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and our Bodies, by Resma Menaken.
Each small group of 5-7 persons will meet 3 times – once each in late Feb, Mar, and April – online (via Zoom) or in person, depending on the group.
Each session will cover one section of the book, with a combination of reflective discussion and at least one “body practice.” Registrants are expected, as far as possible, to attend each small group session and ahead of each meeting, to read/reflect on the appropriate book section and end-of-chapter exercises.
BLM2WUU will host a final whole-group session on the morning of Sat., May 20th (time and format TBD) for sharing among the caucus groups.
Registration required by Feb. 5th to allow time to finalize groups. To sign up for the appropriate identity-based caucus, please enter your information using the registration link below.
If you identify specifically or mainly as white, please give your 1st and 2nd choice of groups to aid in finalizing groups of relatively equal size. If you are interested in the BIPOC or Jewish Caucus groups, please register, and we’ll work to establish mutually agreeable meetings times for those signed up.
Discussion Group options: see registration site. Zoom links will be shared with caucus group members when their group assignments are confirmed.
REGISTRATION LINK (registration required by Feb. 5th) https://onrealm.org/UUCW/PublicRegistrations/Event?linkString=ZDFkZGI1NjEtMjNkMC00ODk3LTk4YWYtYWY3MTAxNmI2Mzgz
If you have questions, please contact: Claudette Hamm at claudette.hamm@yahoo.com or Sara Hudson at saraeuhudson@gmail.com.
Social Justice
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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, and for peace and justice.
LEARN! Why do Black Lives Matter? Why commit to reparations? How does slavery and oppression of Black people affect life today? The Black Lives Matter nuggets below have articles that will take a couple minutes to read, and some videos that are a few minutes to over an hour. Learn something new every day!
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If you have 5 minutes...
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Critical Race Theory has been talked about a lot, with school boards now taking action to ban CRT. Listen to this mother talk about what she wants her children to learn about in school at CRT_A mother's story
The Tulsa Massacre isn’t the only massacre of Black people in the US. Our history is full of them. Read about others at Racist massacres
Eliminate these racist words and phrases from your vocabulary. Go to List of racist words/phrases
Racism is at the core of anti-abortion sentiments. Anti-abortion sprung as a more palatable issue than racism for Christian Nationalists. Read or listen about this eye-opening history at Religious Right Origins or History of Abortion
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Many white people think that they are discriminated against about the same amount as Black people (63%). Being racist and calling out those who see systemic racism is part of the plan, according to this opinion. We've seen it in local non-partisan school board races, and it’s evident in national politics too. Begin to see how current issues are intended to continue white supremacy. Read more at Most see discrimination or The Racist Plan
Law Enforcement and Black Lives
Police kill one in every 1,000 Black men. Police are taught that traffic stops are potentially lethal but they’re not – the (estimated) odds of an officer being killed during a traffic stop is one in over 6 million. Traffic stops can be done differently. Read about it at The Risk of Police Violence or Enforcement without Police.
Police kill one in every 1,000 Black men. Police are taught that traffic stops are potentially lethal but they’re not – the (estimated) odds of an officer being killed during a traffic stop is one in over 6 million. Traffic stops can be done differently. Read about it at The Risk of Police Violence or Enforcement without Police.
All of the 3 total law enforcement officers who died in the line-of-duty in Wisconsin in the past 2 years died of Covid-19. Police are not in constant danger – the job is not even in the Top 10 of the most dangerous jobs, with construction workers, truck drivers, and trash collectors being much more dangerous. Read or listen to an NPR report about fatal police shootings of unarmed Black people at Police Job is not as Dangerous or Unarmed Victims
If you have 15 minutes or more...
Blockbusting:
Definition of blockbusting: Blockbusting
How blockbusting affected (and still affects) segregation in our neighborhoods and contributes to systemic racism: Suburban Segregation
For a deeper dive into the history of blockbusting in Milwaukee: History of Blockbusting
Local cemetery refusing the burial of a Black person: Refusal of Burial
Definition of blockbusting: Blockbusting
How blockbusting affected (and still affects) segregation in our neighborhoods and contributes to systemic racism: Suburban Segregation
For a deeper dive into the history of blockbusting in Milwaukee: History of Blockbusting
Local cemetery refusing the burial of a Black person: Refusal of Burial
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The Racist Origin of Tipping: History of Tipping
Trevor Noah explains what to focus on when thinking about Black Lives Matter issues at Black Lives Matter
(18 min) Read about Rape Colored Skin at Rape Colored Skin
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If you have about an hour...
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“SOCIALIST!” This accusation 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 at "Socialist" Slur is Racism
For a deeper dive into the correlation between socialism and racism, listen to Heather Cox Richardson on Nov. 19, 2020 at Socialism & Racism. (1 hour) If you want to listen for less than an hour, begin at 54:00. (Follow historian Dr. Heather Cox Richardson on Facebook or sign up for her daily letters.) White Supremacy: Wisconsin is a bastion of white supremacy and Milwaukee is the most segregated metro area in the country. About 13% of Wisconsin Black men of working age are in jail or prison. The US average is 6.7%. Read How Wisconsin became a bastion of white supremacy at White Supremacy in Wisconsin
Prisons in the USA: Watch the film "13th" at "13th" (1 hour 40 minutes)
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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
Lake Area Free Clinic http://www.lakeareafreeclinic.org
Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic http://www.wccdentalclinic.org
UU Service Committee http://www.uusc.org
Black Lives Matter http://blacklivesmatter.com
Lake Area Free Clinic http://www.lakeareafreeclinic.org
America's Black Holocaust Museum https://www.abhmuseum.org/
Hebron House of Hospitality http://hebronhouse.org
Various Food Pantries including The Food Pantry of Waukesha, Hartland Food Pantry, Oconomowoc Food Pantry, Pewaukee Food Pantry, New Berlin Food Pantry, Kettle Moraine Food Pantry, North Lake Food Pantry, Mukwonago Food Pantry, and Sussex Food Pantry
SOPHIA Waukesha (Member) https://www.sophiawaukesha.org/about-sophia
Hope Center http://www.hopecenterwi.org
Lake Area Free Clinic http://www.lakeareafreeclinic.org
Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic http://www.wccdentalclinic.org
UU Service Committee http://www.uusc.org
Black Lives Matter http://blacklivesmatter.com
Lake Area Free Clinic http://www.lakeareafreeclinic.org
America's Black Holocaust Museum https://www.abhmuseum.org/
Hebron House of Hospitality http://hebronhouse.org
Various Food Pantries including The Food Pantry of Waukesha, Hartland Food Pantry, Oconomowoc Food Pantry, Pewaukee Food Pantry, New Berlin Food Pantry, Kettle Moraine Food Pantry, North Lake Food Pantry, Mukwonago Food Pantry, and Sussex Food Pantry
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:
Administrative Hours: Tues, Weds, Fri. 8am - 4pm (Call for an appointment) Rev. Carin Bringelson, LCUUC Minister Tues, Weds, Thurs - Call or email for an appointment at (262) 369-1703 or revcarin@lcuuc.org |
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