Equity Calls Us to Listen, Understand, Respect, Respond – Stebbins (amendment to Article II, which will be placed on the final agenda)

[LeilaniDavenberry]

Where I have seen my exact concern with this play out is in discussion spaces like moderated UU facebook groups with racial gaslighting there and in moderated UU listening circles this year. And specifically abusive and racist unrelenting demands of (some) white UUs for access to me, for me to listen/read their words even though I had repeatedly written that I would use the tools of ignore/block/hide repeatedly.

These actions of some white UUs in recent conversations about A2 have literally strengthen my opposition to this amendment. I do not wish covenant to listen to these exact kinds of things and I strongly prefer A2’s description of generosity, interdependence and inclusion about how we treat each other over this amendment.

Previous posts of my explaining why I do wish to covenant to listen and given specific examples of white UUs in UU spaces

Equity Calls Us to Listen, Understand, Respect, Respond – Stebbins (amendment to Article II, which will be placed on the final agenda)

While being in favor of Wheeler’s equity amendment, I still do not support this one as I do not wish to covenant to listen, understand, respect and respond. I strongly prefer A2’s existing language over this amendment and I feel like how I want to covenant is better covered in the following parts of A2. For example under generosity in A2 “We will create and nurture sustainable relationships of care and respect, mutuality and justice. We will work to repair harm and damaged relationships.” A…

Reason and the Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning – Niell (amendment to Article II, which will be placed on the final agenda)

Thank you for your clarification. Though generally it doesn’t change my thoughts about not wishing to ‘covenant to listen’. If it was to covenant to respect and remain open. I would be ok with it. As a BIPOC, I have had several white UUs assure me if I only listened to them, got to know them better, let them process at me about their journey - I would come to understand their words and actions were not racist (even though I was experiencing racism at the moment as especially as their prioritized…

Reason and the Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning – Niell (amendment to Article II, which will be placed on the final agenda)

Hi Kara: Thanks for your sharing. I agree with what I think you mean (if I might pick different words) in the first two paragraphs (starting with when and remember.) However in my previous comment I had meant hateful speech/racism in UU spaces/inside our communities and my not wishing to ‘covenant to listen’. It’s possible I just am not understanding your third paragraph. My comment/reply to it is that I do not need to work at growing my tolerance or capacity for listening to racist speech fo…

Reason and the Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning – Niell (amendment to Article II, which will be placed on the final agenda)

While I agree with what you’re sharing here Rachel, and I also see the hope and commitment in the bit that Kerry L shared from the RJTF in comment 17 above. Though what the quotation describes as a negative or contrast sums up how as a BIPOC UU, I have experienced some white UUs use arguments for peace and reason to dismiss what I say. Regarding the last bit, here’s an example. I can respect that I disagree with UUs who claim that white supremacy culture isn’t a thing but I don’t want to ‘coven…