Report from UUA General Assembly, part 4

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by Diane Haas

Actions of Immediate Witness

As a delegate to GA, one of the areas to attend to and vote on were the Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs).  The AIWs are the method by which the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) comes to understand and act on the social issues of our times. Three of six statements were adopted as Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) policy by the delegates. The process has been an integral part of our faith since the merger between the Unitarians and the Universalists in 1961.  As Unitarian Universalists, we call one another into our better selves through collectively discerning social justice actions to clarify our shared commitments to justice, equity and compassion.

The three that were voted in this year are:

  • Anti-Racism and Reparations via Restorative Justice
  • We Do Not Consent: Rejecting Legal Challenges to Abortion
  • Stop the Privatization of Medicare

I was especially interested in the Anti-Racism and Reparations AIW. Our congregations are encouraged to create Study/Action Groups to embrace the principles of Restorative Justice and truthful American history. I attended a workshop hosted by the Neighborhood Church in LA. Their team elaborated on their process while exploring their Church Founders’ engagement with Eugenics. It was both an educational and reflective process beginning with adopting an attitude of humility. They researched, told, and listened to the truth that was in their history. They accepted accountability for harms done long ago, even if they were not directly responsible, by asking the question: How are we still participating in this line of thinking? Finally, they were considering reparations which included partnering with artists to create artistic memorials and also rituals of remembrance and reconciliation.

Although not a formal Restorative Justice process, our own QUUF Native Connections Action Group has made significant reparations in their čičməhán Trail. Our Antiracism Action Team has been considering our own Port Townsend history with the Chinese immigrants. I think there is an opportunity here to investigate our local history and apply this Restorative Justice Process.