Racial Justice

This is a challenging time, when we – as a Fellowship Community, as Unitarian Universalists, as Americans, as people – are being called to confront and address racial injustice. This is a time for all of us to live our values aloud, not alone.

UUs in Dubuque have a long history of practicing “deeds not creeds.” The Fellowship has organized or hosted public events in Dubuque that promote social justice and human welfare, including: 1) the first Martin King Holiday public event in January 1986 – after his birthday was declared a national holiday; 2) the first public presentation of the president of Planned Parenthood in Iowa; and 3) the first welcoming church congregation for gays, lesbians and transgender persons in Dubuque.

We as a congregation are hosting educational events, attending local and UUA events, and sharing resources addressing racial justice.  We aim to act internally, by reflecting on our own role in racial justice, and externally, by supporting efforts in the local community.

The UUFD Board is standing in solidarity with racial justice efforts in our community – making our congregational and denominational commitment to social justice more visible, through:

  • Supporting Dubuque Branch-NAACP, with a community partner membership.
  • Endorsing #AllOfUs campaign, sponsored by Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, promoting community cohesion and support for all people over fear and tribalism.
  • Joining the “Black Lives Matter” movement with a billboard in our Jackson Park neighborhood and a banner on our church building.

Events

There have been a multitude of racial justice events in our local community and the larger UU community recently, including Black Lives Matter events in Dubuque, and due to the rapid nature of planning we do not have time to announce them all in the weekly newsletter.  For the most recent information, visit our UUFD Facebook group or page:

 

Resources

Below are a few links to resources that might be helpful – if you are looking for ways to show solidarity for social justice, or if you are reflecting on recent events and dealing emotionally with the brutality and violence of racism.

Watch

Read

  • My church’s Black Lives Matter banner is an expression of support for unity
    “The UU Congregation of York has proudly displayed a Black Lives Matter banner on our property for a couple of years. We intend to display our banner until people of color are safe to live in America without being subject to hatred and violence.”
  • 10 Things White People Can Do to Work for Racial Justice
    Here are ten things you can do to stand for justice, show solidarity, and take action to stop white- and state-sanctioned violence.
  • 100 Ways You can Take Action Against Racism Right Now by USA Today
  • A good resource for white people wondering how to put their concerns about Black racial injustice into action is an article posted on the website Medium titled 97 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice. Compiled by Corinne Shutack, the list is a work in progress, having grown from 75 to 97 ideas and counting. These practical steps include advocating local police for specific policies to end police violence; boycotting companies that use prison labor; and finding out how slavery, the Civil War, and the Jim Crow era are being taught in our local schools. Many items on the list lead to even more, such as lists of organizations to support, or books to read, or movies to watch with an enlightened eye. Don’t be overwhelmed! Choose five things you can do, and do them.

Listen

Act

  • Support Black-owned businesses in Dubuque
  • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – Dubuque Branch
    Take a stand. Answer the call for equality. Answer the call for civil rights. Join the oldest and boldest civil rights organization in the nation. Become a member.
  • AllofUsDubuque Campaign Launched! In announcing the launch, Nancy Van Milligan, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque, observed that “the only way to save lives and ensure the well-being of everyone is to stand together as one community and make sure no one is left out of the recovery.” Please visit and share the website and the hashtag #AllofUsDubuque with your contacts and followers, to read about those who have made an impact – big or small – during this crisis. Check out the collaborative piece between Marlynn Livai-Larron and Art Roche, on the Marshall Islanders in Dubuque. Since UUFD endorsed the campaign, we have a Social Media Toolkit to help with posts and messages to grow this campaign – and help make Dubuque a safer and more inclusive place. Email Marian if you’d like to receive the Toolkit.
  • Subscribe to Side With Love to stay connected with UUs and other people of faith and conscience in this work for justice and equity
  • Subscribe to UU the Vote to support local organizing, electoral justice, and democracy in this time

Donate

  • Dubuque Branch NAACP: The purposes and aims of the Dubuque Branch are to improve the political, educational, social, and economic status of African-Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities; to eliminate racial prejudice; to promote justice; to keep the public aware of the adverse effects of racial discrimination; to take lawful and peaceful action to secure its elimination; to seek legislation and policies at the state and local levels, which advance the programs and policies of the Association; and to oppose legislation and policies which are adverse to the programs and policies of the Association. This year’s fundraising event was canceled because of the pandemic. Donate to support our general operating expenses. Checks can be mailed to: Dubuque Branch NAACP, PO BOX 1012, Dubuque, Iowa 52004-1012. Join or renew membership
  • Dream Center provides academic support, family engagement and meal programs for low-income families and other under-served populations. Donate
  • Watch YouTube videos to generate funds for Black Lives Matter

Learn