There have been many moments in my thirteen years as a member of this congregation when I have felt proud to be a part of this community. Moments when I have felt challenged, renewed, inspired, called to be a better version of myself. Moments when it was so clear that we are stronger and more beautiful together than we could be alone. This Sunday was one of those moments – a moment that I will carry with me into my developing ministry as a reminder of why I am a Unitarian Universalist and why “we need one another.” There were concerns that the conversation about whether to put a “Black Lives Matter” banner on our lawn would cause conflict. There were worries that not enough of us would show up to make a quorum. There were questions about whether our sign should not say, “All Lives Matter.” The concerns were met with a resounding and heart-filling unity of understanding that this is the time for us to stand with our sisters and brothers of color and speak boldly into the violence and dehumanizing injustice that befalls all of us when even one of us is oppressed. It is time to say what should go without saying, but does not. We know the all lives matter but what needs to be affirmed, now more than ever, is that black lives matter. How moving it was to see every green voting card rise high in that love-filled affirmation.
I want to be very clear that in no way do I believe putting this sign on our lawn will dissolve racial injustice or alleviate the loss and pain coming to the undeniable attention of white people – injustice, pain and loss which has been lived and all too evident to black and brown people since the founding of our country. Putting this sign on our lawn is a way of saying out loud what our actions need to demonstrate. The answers are not easy. The actions we can take are not always clear and are rarely simple but we must continue to search for how we can respond, with whatever privilege we have, to speak and act against injustice.
In the coming months we have three opportunities to walk the walk that our “Black Lives Matter” banner talks. First, on Friday, April 24th at 12:30 join us on Ridge Ave. in front of UCE to take a Stand Against Racism. At 12:40 we will take a pledge to create a more just community and then, at 1pm we will move inside to room 3 for a facilitated community conversation about how we can end racism together. Second, sign up to join the UCE “Black Lives Matter” team for the Ricky Byrdsong Race Against Hate on June 21st. This event raises money for the YWCA doing racial justice work in Evanston every day. Third, on May 12th, members of UCE will be joining Community Renewal Society for a day in Springfield. We will be joining this powerful congregation based community organization in their tremendous efforts to eliminate racial and economic injustice in our area. We will speak to our legislators about ending absolute bars to employment for those who have been incarcerated, accountability in policing, and a more just budget. It is a powerful demonstration of solidarity when hundreds of people show up in our state capitol to stand for justice. If you want to participate in any of these actions, let me know.
My pride in this congregation, in our commitment to Standing on the Side of Love, is tempered only by the enormous amount of work to be done. In the words of George E. Odell, printed in our hymnal, “We need one another when we would accomplish some great purpose, and cannot do it alone.” With love and in need and hope of the better world we can only create together, Eileen.
Practicing Beloved Community at UCE 