Message from the Racial Justice Workgroup

There are several racial justice events coming up in December.  We are very excited about these opportunities for learning and organizing.  We hope you can join us.

At EUUC:

Racial Justice Summit, December 3, 12:30-2:30,  Chapman Hall

Join the Racial Justice Workgroup in an exploration of how our congregation should move forward on racial justice issues.  What educational opportunities do we want to provide?  What kind of advocacy and witness do we want to peruse?  How do we want to organize our efforts?  The meeting will start with a presentation by Rev. Cecilia Kingman and end with a discussion designed to share ideas and set a course for future action.  Everyone is welcome!  Childcare and a light lunch will be provided.  Please register at the Social Justice Desk or email racialjustice.rsvp@euuc.org.

Reading Circle for December: "The First White President," by Ta-Nehisi Coates, December 15 

Ta-Nehisi Coates, author of Between the World and Me, wrote this article for The Atlantic. It explores the role of racism in the last presidential election, Trump’s determination to reverse Obama’s legacy, and how white supremacy has colored our analysis of the election.  For a copy of this article, click here. Join the discussion at Rachel Maxwell’s home in Edmonds. Come at 6:30 if you want to share a potluck meal.  To register or get more information visit the Social Justice Desk on Sunday or email racialjustice.rsvp@euuc.org.

In the community:

Several people from EUUC plan to attend these events.  If you would like to carpool, please email racialjustice.rsvp@euuc.org or contact Kyle Gillis. 

Pacific Northwest UU Anti-Racist Activists:  KICK-OFF EVENT
Saturday Dec. 2, 2017 10:00- 2:00 at the East Shore Unitarian Church, 12700 SE 32nd St. Bellevue

This is a Unitarian Universalist anti-racist gathering to initiate and build capacity to work together and learn together, to increase effectiveness at fighting white privilege and white supremacy in ourselves, our churches and our society. The group will share ideas and resources and build a collaborative coalition that will create greater impact in racial justice work. Pre-registration is required. Stop by the Social Justice Desk at EUUC or email racialjustice.rsvp@euuc.org for information on how to register. 

For information on this event on the Northwest UU Justice Network (NWuuJN) website, click here.

Healing the Hate - with World Without Hate founder Rais Bhuijan.  Hosted by Communities Rising!-Shoreline.
Sunday, December 3 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Shoreline Conference Center, 18560 1st Ave NE, Shoreline

As described by the event organizers:

This event will feature a talk by Rais Bhuiyan, founder and president of World Without Hate (WWH) and subject of a book and forth-coming film, "The True American," which tells his story of being shot in the face by a white supremacist for being Muslim, in the days following 9/11. 

His story is about "the transformational power of forgiveness, of embracing compassion and mercy, and of teaching others the beauty to be found in acceptance and empathy." 

World Without Hate has created the Empathy Ambassadors Leadership Training Program, which is an experiential program for young people exploring the interconnectedness of self, other, and community, as well as awareness, connection, and conflict resolution. Through active participation, the program asks the students themselves to begin to bear some of the responsibility for ensuring that none of their peers ever feels bullied or isolated, and it provides them with the tools they will need to create the environment within which this can happen. This program is particularly valuable for schools in which disparate populations come together.

For more information on World With Hate, including a TED Talk by Rais Bhuiyan, click here.  

The Racial Justice Workgroup is a co-sponsor of this event.