Things are going well; I can look at family photos through Mom’s Facebook account—at some point, I will have to find a way in, but I am wary of doing more than looking at her account once she opens it, for fear that whatever I did will give her Facebook problems as well.
I do like your amendment; in fact, I think all the amendments are improvements to the original proposal, I wish that the UUA had left this portal open for the important discussion of the proposal, as they encouraged Yes votes by saying that it would enable us to continue the discussion, but did not provide a specific UU means for such discussion.
wow, right you are!!! wow! Well, the portal thing here is open now. I’ve been surprised by how quiet things are – how little conversation there is. I know a number of us have written the UUA asking for springtime zoom sessions to discuss amendments. There aren’t any scheduled as of this time.
There is a series of discussions set up as “UU the Conversation”, described on their site as UU the Conversation is a grassroots initiative of individual Unitarian Universalists. It is not affiliated with any UU congregation, fellowship, or organization.
I encourage all to check out the site, https://uutheconversation.org/, and register for the town hall meetings.
Yes, all us amendment writers are serving on a panel for the first one of these conversations.
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I like this amendment as it reads so much better than the proposed language in the A2. Thank you to all for your work on this.
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Oh! Thank you so much. Yes. It really flows much more fluidly. Thank you. I dearly hope this amendment passes!!!
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Resharing here under correct amendment: I strongly support the Wheeler amendment for several reasons - it is totally alignment with the A2 charge (some folks might appreciate reading or rereading it Charge to the Article II Study Commission | UUA.org) and the wording of the amendment actually reads better than the A2’s language - literally forming better in my mouth and sounds more poetic and it feels better in my BIPOC UU heart as I read it.
"Leilani, I am humbled and honored by your words on how right my 2024 (Wheeler) Equity Amendment feels to you. If the GA this summer parallels that from last summer for amendments (Sponsor speaks, Commission speaks if they oppose, Pro comments, Con comments), I hope you will speak in favor. Your words are very powerful. And by the way, Rev. Cheryl Walker has stated in an open UU meeting that she will not oppose Wheeler Equity 2024. I am deeply grateful that “it feels better in [your] BIPOC UU heart as [you] read it.”
With profound gratitude,
In community
Bek Wheeler"
Please feel free to reach out to me when GA is closer if you need pro speakers. I’m working on my support of an AIW so I’m not sure how things will shake out time-wise/speaking-wise and I may feel that I need to speak to concerns with others. So hard to do all the things. Warmly, Leilani
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Thank you. I am grateful and I understand that you may be otherwise committed, needing to speak on other issues. I will stay in touch.
In community,
Bek
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Howdy!
I just want to confirm that you didn’t merge this with the Stebbins amendment. That’s what it sounds like now, but earlier folks were talking about merging them so I just want to double check. I would absolutely vote for this one and I am absolutely voting against Stebbins. And if they were merged, I’d vote no because of that Stebbins amendment. So I hope you didn’t merge them and this gets the individual vote it deserves! Thanks for your work on it.
Hi Tim,
Thanks for writing.
NO MERGING. There are two distinct and fully different Equity Amendments. Wheeler Equity (which is presented first on Thursday), and Stebbins Equity, which is presented next. I have consistently been extremely firm that these are two separate offerings, and I refused to merge so that each could be considered on its own merits.
thanks for asking and thank you for your support of Equity – Every person is inherently worthy…
Bek
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And thank you for the quick reply! Best of luck this GA!
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Folks, as General Assembly starts one week from TODAY, I wanted to share my draft 90-second introduction/motivation to the Wheeler Equity Amendment. I welcome your thoughts/comments/suggestions/criticisms, etc!
Equity: Every person is inherently worthy – Wheeler
Rationale, 6/13/24:
The existing Article 2 Equity Value—“Every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness”— offers greatly important ideas. Indeed, the Wheeler Equity Amendment is not about changing the meaning of the Equity value. This amendment is all about blending those important ideas into even more memorable and beautiful language.
In doing so, I consulted with dozens upon dozens of people—ministers, lay people, BIPOC UUs, everyone who would engage—and I built in their viewpoints. One minister urged me to keep the word “declare”, so I did. Another minister noted I needed to keep the idea of “right” and “flourishing.” So I did. Truly, this work is a group effort.
Here’s our result: “We declare that every person is inherently worthy and has the right to flourish with dignity, love, and compassion.”
Please vote “yes” on Wheeler Equity, to bring this fluid and memorable language to our UU Equity Value. (159 words)
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Too often, when people ask what do UUs believe, we are on the defensive. I firmly believe that we would benefit from being able to clearly and concisely state our principles regarding equity. The amendment would allow us to clearly respond in the most positive light. Equity is a concept that matters and the amendment would provide a strong foundational statement.
David
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Thank you, David, for your thoughts here… For me, I’ve been UU for 40 years… and of course, the first principle is a CLEAR guiding light. I understand that it’s a covenant between congregations, under the UUA, but for me, it is a personal beacon (and I’m the person who is offering the Wheeler Equity Amendment - for the first sentence of the Equity Value). I need to be able to SAY it powerfully and poetically and memorably. For me, that’s what the 1st sentence Equity Amendment is about — being able yes, to provide a strong foundational statement. Thank you for expressing that so very clearly.
In community,
Bek Wheeler
UU Fellowship of the Peninsula (Newport News, VA)
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I agree that the Wheeler Amendment greatly improves the first sentence of the Equity Value, and I will be voting for it!
I also believe the Equity Value needs a stronger Covenant statement, and that is what the Stebbins Amendment does by adding a 3rd sentence that deepens our understanding of “wisdom and attention” and gives us concrete and compassionate means to achieve them: “Equity calls us to listen, understand, respect, and respond to one another.” This is essential to make the connection clear between “every one” having a “right to flourish with dignity, love and compassion” and how we treat one another as we build and sustain communities that support that right!
How are you feeling about your amendment and the speaking bits? I have been mentioning your amendment a lot lately.
Hi Leilani, thank you so much for asking.
I am feeling really good about the “Inherently worthy” Amendment. I hear many positive comments about it. On the other hand there are those who tell me they “don’t care” or that it’s “lipstick on a pig.” So, my impression is that folks who are in favor of A2 revision are greatly in favor of the “Inherently worthy” amendment, and folks against A2 don’t care.
But I feel really good. And as you can see from the rationale I posted a few days ago, the amendment emerged from collaboration with many people. And even the rationale was also a collective effort. This is good.
I have only asked one person if they would speak in favor, and aside from that, I’m honoring the inclinations and call of whomever feels so inspired. I know you had earlier said you possibly could speak in favor—but I think you are a very busy person and have to choose where your effort will have most impact. I think we’re good with this amendment. While I was not at the 8th principle discussion group recently, it was reported to me that Rev. Cheryl Walker was very enthusiastic about Wheeler Equity. Now that’s a mighty powerful affirmation there!
I believe this amendment will pass. Fingers crossed. And thank you for saying good things about it!!!
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So to be clear, we can vote to move both amendments forward? This thread is a little confusing to me! Thanks for your excellent and thoughtful work on the language – centering our values and making the language more poetic than it would have been… OOO
Melinda, all amendments are independent one from another. So the Wheeler Equity Amendment (#1 on Thursday) and the Stebbins Equity Amendment (#2 on Thursday) are voted on separately. One could pass and the other fail; both could pass; neither could pass. They are completely independent. You vote on each one separately and independently
And thank you for your question, @melinda. Yes, as Bek points out, we can vote to move both amendments forward. (I personally plan to vote for both of them!)