Allies for Racial Equity

Unitarian Universalist Allies for Racial Equity (ARE) exists as a response to a request by DRUUMM, a UU People of Color Organization, for a group of white anti-racist allies to serve as partners in the journey of transforming our faith movement and our world.

Our mission is to confront racism in ways that are accountable to communities of color and by creating opportunities for white UUs to understand white privilege and unlearn white supremacy.

Diverse Revolutionary U.U. Multicultural Ministries

As People of Color mobilized in an anti-racist collective, we unite to:

Work for self-determination, justice and equal opportunity,

Empower our various ministries,

Celebrate our diverse heritages,

Overcome racism through resistance,

Transform and enrich Unitarian Universalism through our multicultural experiences.

Equual Access

Equual Access is a newly formed affinity group that invites all UUs with disabilities, and all their friends, families, and allies – everybody who cares about full participation for people with disabilities in our faith community. Visit the Equual Access website:

We also have an accessibility chat list: access-L@lists.uua.org

Interweave Continental

Unitarian Universalists for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Concerns

Contact US: Aforde@uua.org or

At the Blog: http://multiculturaltrack.wordpress.com/

The Mosaic Project

The Mosaic Project is an assessment project of the Identity Based Ministries Staff group, in cooperation with the Office of Youth Ministries, the Office of Young Adult Ministries, and other Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) staff, that focuses on identifying the Unitarian Universalist ministry needs of Youth and Young Adults of Color. The 2009 Mosaic Project Report provides the findings of the study and recommendation for congregations, districts, and the association.

UUA.Org Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Multicultural Resource links

• http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/araomc/index.shtml
• http://www.uua.org/documents/congservices/araomc/anti-oppress_pointsofentry.pdf

 Cultural Misappropriation/Cross Cultural Engagement UUA Resource links

• http://www25.uua.org/uumn/other_info/cultmisrep/index.html
• http://www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith/makingmusic/chapter8/129382.shtml
• http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/leaderslibrary/interconnections/45522.shtml

Money and Ideas: Creative Approaches to Congregational Access (the Alban Institute and the National Organization on Disability)

www.congregationalresources.org/MoneyAndIdeas.pdf

Congregations seeking greater accessibility for people with disabilities often find that a key challenge is the availability of resources. How does a congregation find money, materials, or labor for a ramp, an elevator, or accessible restrooms? The 38 page booklet offers success stories and an annotated resource section. Congregations aiming at greater accessibility, but feeling stymied by a lack of resources, will find this booklet useful and inspiring. You can buy it from the Alban Institute or you can download it (in large print format) at:

Accessible Faith: A Technical Guide for Accessibility in Houses of Worship (the Retirement Research Foundation)                 

http://www.rrf.org/PDF/Accessible_Faith.pdf

Increasingly, congregations are striving to welcome all members of the community into fellowship, with opportunities for full participation in worship, study, service, and leadership. This excellent publication is a comprehensive guide for congregations that are working on improving accessibility for people with disabilities, including the growing number of older adults. The 54 page book is designed to provide technical guidance in all aspects of accessibility; help congregations understand building-related codes; identify user-friendly design solutions.

Removing Barriers: Planning Meetings that are Accessible to all Participants (North Carolina Office on Disability and Health)

www.fpg.unc.edu/~ncodh/pdfs/rbmeetingguide.pdf

From the introduction: “This publication highlights basic guidelines and strategies to help organizations make their meetings accessible and welcoming to people with disabilities. An environment that is accessible, functional, and safe benefits everyone, regardless of age or level of ability. This principle, known as universal Design. serves as the basis for the information presented in this publication. The guide describes the benefits of providing both physical and communication access.” The 53 page publication includes checklists and accessible meetings resources. The url:

There is abundant accessibility information at our UUA website: http://uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/accessibility/index.shtml

Emerson, M.O.; Woo, R. (2006). People of the dream: Multiracial congregations in the United States. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

Hobgood, M. E. (2000). Dismantling Privilege: An ethics of accountability. Cleveland, OH: The Pilgrim Press.

Johnson, A. G. (2001). Privilege, power, and difference. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Johnson, M. (2006). Disability awareness: Do it right. Louisville, KY: Avocado Press, Inc.

Law, E. H. F. (1993). The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb: Spirituality for leadership in a multicultural community. St Louis: Chalice Press.

Lewis, J.J. (2008). The Power of Stories: A guide for leading multi-racial, multi-cultural congregations. Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press.

Takahashi-Morris, L., Roush, J., and Spencer, L. (2009). The arc of the universe is long: Unitarian Universalists, anti-racism, and the journey from Calgary. Boston, MA: Skinner House.

 Welcome to the Multicultural Track blog!

This blog will provide you with information about U.U. University’s  Multicultural Track at General Assembly 2009. You will find presenter and program information as well as tips and resources related to anti-racism/anti-oppression/multiculturalism.

It is our hope that this blog will remain an active part of your resource library beyond U.U. University 2009 – Watch for updates and Share your stories, resources, and questions with us.