8th Principle

The Antiracism Task Force (ARTF) facilitated the SWUU congregation in adopting the 8th Principle at our Congregational Meeting in June 2022. The text of the principle is below:

The 8th Principle:

“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse, multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

As a democratic organization, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), member congregations have to vote on this to add it formally to the other seven Unitarian Universalist Principles that guide our religion.

The ARTF will not disband since we adopted the 8th Principle; our focus may change as we progress. We have much work to do!

To prepare SWUU for life after adoption, we are reading “Widening the Circle of Concern: Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change.”

Please click here to access a copy of Widening the Circle of Concern.

Helpful Definitions:

Antiracist: One who is expressing the idea that racial/ethnic groups are equals and none needs developing, and is supporting policies that reduce racial/ethnic inequity. (From How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi)

white supremacy: historically based and institutionally perpetuated system of exploitation and oppression of continents, nations, and peoples of color by white peoples and nations of the European continent to maintain and defend a system of wealth, power, and privilege. (From The Emperor Has No Clothes: Teaching about Race and Racism to People Who Don’t Want to Know by Tema Okun)

Other Resources