In the Winter 2015 UU World the Rev. William J. Barber II writes about Fusion Politics and the Third Reconstruction. These themes are at the heart of his book being published by our own Beacon Press. The Moral Monday movement came about as a result of his efforts to form coalitions with black and white citizens to address injustice in voting rights, health care, education, living wages, and other areas. He was able to identify what he calls “14 Justice Tribes” and bring them together under the “People’s Agenda.”
At the Moral Monday rally in Winston Salem this past July, 3500 people marched to protest the recent attack on voting rights by the North Carolina Legislature that our governor signed. Of those 3500 marchers, 500 (or almost 15%) were Unitarian Universalists, and many of that number were from UUFH. UUA President Peter Morales spoke, and at least 40 UU Ministers were present. In addition, our Fellowship sponsored a bus to that event and to a previous rally in Raleigh. The commitment shown to social justice by UUFH in the past few years has demonstrated a significant shift toward activism by this Fellowship. I encourage everyone to continue our work as a Justice Tribe. The fusion politics model utilized by Reverend Barber has now spread to twelve states. The evidence of the strength of this movement can be measured in the upswing of extreme right wing reaction to it. Perhaps we can be as big a part of the third reconstruction as UUs were a part of the first reconstruction after the Civil War,and the second, which Barber defines as civil rights movement.
Our activism toward social justice is evident in making our sanctuary more handicapped accessible by the investments in our elevator, as well as a solar-powered sanctuary and Fellowship Hall. We are living our principles by respecting the dignity and worth of all people and by conserving the earth’s resources. Our Solar Project is so timely on the heels of the Duke Energy decision to change its plans for providing electricity in WNC. In doing this, Duke has asked that people step up on renewable energy sources and we have done so. These projects represent sizable capital investments, and, more importantly, the commitment of a lot of hard work by the Green Team and the Elevator Project Team. Thanks to everyone who has shown the commitment to good intent in both monetary and time commitments.
So what is next? I encourage you to be on the lookout in the mail for a letter from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee regarding the plight of refugees around the world. They are asking for support in encouraging our government to admit 200,000 refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, and other parts of the world. Last year we admitted 105 Syrian refugees, 36 in the year before. By signing a petition to Secretary of State John Kerry and making a contribution as small as $50 you can support the UUSC in facing one of the world’s greatest moral challenges.
Keith Dalbec
President