The 8th Principle

of 

unitarian universalism

The 8th Principle Statement

“We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Hudson Valley, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

What’s the difference between being

"not racist" and antiracist?

There is no such thing as being "not racist," says author and historian Ibram X. Kendi. He speaks about taking responsibility for and rejecting prejudices in our public policies, workplaces and personal beliefs; he advocates for actively using this awareness to uproot injustice and inequality in the world, and replace it with love. “Being anti-racist is a journey. It’s not something you declare that you are … it’s going to be a journey trying to transform this country.”

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In 2016, Ibram X. Kendi was a National Book Award winner before writing a 21st-century manual of racial ethics, How to be an Antiracist.

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Suggested Resources:

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• Listen to Aspen Festival Interview with Ibram X. Kendi, 2019 (54 mins)

• Read the NY Times Review of How to Be an Antiracist.

• Read Why white America is still shocked by White Supremacy, Jan 12, 2021

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Click Here for previous resources

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8Th Principle Task Force: Betsy Tomic,

Sheri Brown, Jim Russell, Eddy Fried,

Ginny Stillman, and Leah Nelson

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Native Land Acknowledgment

Beginning in January you may notice a small but important change to our welcome during Sunday morning worship.  We have developed an acknowledgement that our church building and grounds rest on land once the home of Native American tribes.  This is a history of our nation that is too often forgot.  Part of what we do in worship is religious education.  With that in mind, we will begin to correct the blind spots of history with the spiritual practice of remembering.  Listen carefully for our new acknowledgement.  Also if you would like to learn more about the history of Native people in our area click HERE to learn more. 

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Thank you to the tireless work of our Social Justice Committee and

our Director of Religious Education, Jane Podell.

uua common read

Start Reading the nationwide UU Common Read:  

Breathe, A Letter to my Sons

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In March,  Ginny Stillman and Jane Podell will hold zoom sessions  to discuss this "Emotionally raw and deeply reflective challenge to society to see Black children as deserving of humanity." 

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March 19, 7pm Book Club Meeting (for members only)

and

Sunday, March 28, 12:15-2:00

(for anyone)

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12 books available 3/1/2021 at the Ossining Public Library, use Libby App for eBook,

or 

buy for $18 at the UU Bookstore, In Spirit