Three years ago, on August 24th, a tropical depression became a storm in the Atlantic ocean. Meteorologists named it Katrina. It would become the sixth-strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded. When it made landfall for a second time in Louisiana on August 29th (after pummeling Florida), it was the third-strongest recorded hurricane to reach the United States, and became one of our five deadliest. It laid waste to large swaths of both Louisiana and Mississippi.
Natural disasters cause wide-spread misery by definition, but the tragedy following hurricanes Katrina and Rita was largely human-caused, and revealed the devastating impact of systemic racism and classism. The levees protecting New Orleans had already been flagged as dangerously unsafe, yet these warnings were ignored. The flooding from broken levees caused more deaths than the storm itself.
Before Katrina's arrival, evacuation plans relied on individuals to make their own way out of the hurricane's path, ignoring the fact that many did not have access to private transportation. Fleets of buses lay unused, and then submerged. And in the hours and days following Katrina, our government failed to respond to the disaster. The lack of clean water, food, and shelter, and the violence that ensued from this chaos, claimed many more lives.
The media showed us images of white Americans and told us they were "searching for food." The same media showed us images of black Americans doing the same thing and told us they were "looting." We saw members of communities that were less hard hit forcibly preventing desperate people from entering their towns. For almost two days, American citizens were referred to as "refugees" in their own country. And in the analysis afterwards, it was starkly clear that the areas most affected corresponded to neighborhoods that were predominantly poor and of color.
Three years later, the misery wreaked by Katrina and Rita continues, as government bureaucracy and apathy slow the rebuilding process. Casinos and luxury hotels were rebuilt relatively quickly, but much of the old neighborhoods where the tourists seldom venture are still waiting. The Gulf Coast disaster is at least as much human-created as it was "natural."
President William G. Sinkford's 2005 response
UUA interview with Derrick Evans on the recovery
Make a contribution to the UU Gulf Coast Relief Fund.
And lastly, on this third anniversary we announce UU Gulf Coast Updates, a joint project of the Greater New Orleans Unitarian Universalists (GNOUU), the New Orleans Rebirth Volunteer Center, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
Click here to view the inaugural issue.
And click here to subscribe to future updates.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office Takes Lead on LGBT Human Rights
The following was sent to us from the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office.
August 20, New York: the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office will play a path breaking role in next month’s human rights conference in Paris, sponsored by the UN’s Department of Public Information and presented in cooperation with the many nongovernmental organizations with consultative status at the UN. Held to commemorate the signing in Paris in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the event is cosponsored by UNESCO, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Government of France.
Titled “Reaffirming Human Rights for All: the Universal Declaration at 60,” the conference will be held September 3 - 5, 2008 at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.
Bruce Knotts, Executive Director of the UU UN Office, is a member of the conference’s subcommittee on outreach. In planning sessions, Knotts was struck by the omission of the LGBT community among those whose rights are threatened around the world. “If we were going to discuss the human rights of every conceivable marginalized group,” he recalls, “we could not exclude the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) community.”
Leaving aside the question of same sex marriage or other actions that run up against strong religious and cultural norms, Knotts pointed to gross violations of rights that ought to trouble anyone—torture, murder, execution, rape, arbitrary arrest, and beatings. “No culture or religion can condone these crimes,” he argued.
Knotts’ objection carried the day and, for the first time at any UN conference of this kind, LGBT issues will be squarely on the agenda next week in Paris. Moreover, Knotts has been named LGBT Caucus Coordinator for the conference; he will moderate a panel discussion on the Yogyakarta Principles, which apply existing international law to issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity; and he will co-moderate a breakout session that will discuss issues related to all communities not normally heard at the United Nations. The speakers for the Yogyakarta Panel will be Wilhelm Monasso, Executive Director of FILAD (Philanthropy & Advice) an LGBT Dutch NGO; Peter Dankmeijer, Executive Director of GALE (The Global Alliance for LGBT Education) also from the Netherlands, and Cyrille Compaoe, Executive Director Action Voluntaire in Burkina Faso which advocates for and provides medical services to MSMs (men who have sex with men) in Africa. GALE is also sponsoring a booth at the UN Human Rights Village that is being set up as part of the UN Human Rights Conference. The GALE booth will serve as a focal point for LGBT discussions at the UN Human Rights Village at the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) in Paris. All are welcome to visit this booth during the conference.
Bruce Knotts took over the reins at the Unitarian Universalist UN Office in January, after 23 years as a diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service, where he also served on the Board of Directors of Gays and Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies. With more than 1,000 congregations nationwide, Unitarian Universalists hold human rights as a core value and have maintained a presence at the UN since 1946. The Unitarian Universalists are proud of their Human Rights history, including their commitment to LGBT rights. Unitarian Universalists have been performing same-gender marriages since the 1970s. The Manichean Society, which comprised United States Federal LGBT works in the 1950s fighting for the right to work in government service, used to meet in Unitarian & Universalist Churches. Many famous gays and lesbians from history, like Walt Whitman and Susan B. Anthony, were either Unitarians or Universalists or both. The two liberal denominations joined in 1961. The Unitarian Universalist Church in Knoxville, TN was attacked by a gunman in July this year due to the Unitarian Universalist liberal theology and its welcoming of gays and lesbians, according to documents written by the gunman and found by the police. In addition to fighting for LGBT rights, the Unitarian Universalist Church fought and continues to fight to end slavery, to empower women and to end racial discrimination. Many of America’s Founding Fathers (and Mothers) were Unitarians or Universalists, such as America’s second and third presidents John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. The Unitarian Universalist Church maintains its revolutionary and visionary character.
For more information please consult the following web sites:
www.uu-uno.org
www.uua.org
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
More Latinos, Children, Seniors, & Southerners in Poverty This Year Than Last
Every August, on what is unofficially known to policy nerds as "Poverty Day," the U.S. Census Bureau releases its new statistics on poverty. These statistics track whether poverty rates have gone up or down over the last year, and reveal how particular demographic groups are faring. Check out this morning's press release from the U.S. Census Bureau to see the new stats for 2007: Household Income Rises, Poverty Rate Unchanged, Number of Uninsured Down.
Although, as the Press Release title indicates, overall poverty percentage rates have remained relatively unchanged, the concrete numbers of Latinos, children, seniors, & Southerners living in poverty have gone up.
Although real median income for black and non-Hispanic white households rose, black households had the lowest median income in 2007 ($33,916), followed by Hispanics ($38,679). This compares to the median of $54,920 for non-Hispanic white households.
"Poverty Day" is a good time to ask oneself (and one's representatives) why money is unequally distributed along race lines in the United States, and how that can be changed. Here's some fuel for the conversation:
Persistent Race Disparities Found, by Stephen Ohlemacher. 11-14-08.
Racial Disparities, by The Urban Institute. 3-25-08.
Related Links:
The UUA's webpages on the Living Wage Campaign
Why UU Service Committee Supports Living Wage $10 in 2010 Campaign
UU Resources for Economic Justice
Photo Credit - Olliehigh, Creative Commons.
Although, as the Press Release title indicates, overall poverty percentage rates have remained relatively unchanged, the concrete numbers of Latinos, children, seniors, & Southerners living in poverty have gone up.
Although real median income for black and non-Hispanic white households rose, black households had the lowest median income in 2007 ($33,916), followed by Hispanics ($38,679). This compares to the median of $54,920 for non-Hispanic white households.
"Poverty Day" is a good time to ask oneself (and one's representatives) why money is unequally distributed along race lines in the United States, and how that can be changed. Here's some fuel for the conversation:Persistent Race Disparities Found, by Stephen Ohlemacher. 11-14-08.
Racial Disparities, by The Urban Institute. 3-25-08.
Related Links:
The UUA's webpages on the Living Wage Campaign
Why UU Service Committee Supports Living Wage $10 in 2010 Campaign
UU Resources for Economic Justice
Photo Credit - Olliehigh, Creative Commons.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Troop Withdrawal by 2011?
U.S. and Iraqi negotiators are making progress in determining the future presence of U.S. troops in Iraq. Negotiations began in March, with the U.S. proposing an agreement that lacked a timeline for withdrawal and included complete immunity for U.S. troops and contractors. The Iraqis responded by declaring that negotiations were at a dead end. This resulted in the U.S. making some concessions and five months later negotiators appear near agreement on a 2011 withdrawal of U.S. troops. While the agreement is not complete, it marks a definite step towards a new future in Iraq.The preliminary terms of the agreement are being brought before the Iraqi executive council and will ultimately have to be approved by the Iraqi parliament. Currently there is nothing requiring the U.S. Administration to get approval from Congress for a security agreement. Sen. Biden has introduced legislation that would change that, by requiring Congressional approval of any security agreement with Iraq. [Click here to call on your Senators to join Sen. Biden]
Unitarian Universalists have been praying and protesting this war since before it began. After five years of an immoral occupation, this development offers a flicker of hope for the futures of the U.S. and Iraq.
UUA Advocacy Against the War
Thursday, August 21, 2008
NEW Webpages on "Truth & Reconciliation" posted to UUA.org
New web pages on truth & reconciliation have been added to the social justice section of UUA.org!
The foolish neither forgive, nor forget.
The naïve forgive and forget.
The wise forgive, but do not forget.
Learn just what "truth & reconciliation" is anyway, how Unitarian Universalists have applied the process, what related legislation is out there and what actions you can take. Also, find resources on how you can explore truth & reconciliation with your family, congregation, or community.
The foolish neither forgive, nor forget.
The naïve forgive and forget.
The wise forgive, but do not forget.
--
Thomas Szász (Born 1920), Hungary/USA
Photo credit to jasoneppink
International themes for UU Water Communion Services
Many Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations have an annual tradition of celebrating a Water Ceremony/Communion early in September as a ritual of welcoming members of their congregation to a new church year.
Though these services vary greatly from congregation to congregation, they are generally an excellent opportunity for UU congregations to express their commitment to our Sixth Principle:
We Covenant to Affirm and Promote the Goal of World Community with Peace, Liberty and Justice for All
The most recent addition to the UUA's "Faith Without Borders" Program provides assistance and suggestions for including international themes in and around Water Communion/Ceremony services in 7 general areas:
- Spiritually,
- Through Education,
- Through Justice-Making and Advocacy,
- Through Partnership,
- Through Stewardship,
- Through Pilgrimage and Witness, and
- Through Associational Leadership
A few of the suggestions are:
- As part of re-covenanting at the beginning of a new church year, invite members of the congregation to renew their commitment to Sixth Principle ministry during the Water Ceremony/Communion service.
- Make use of the Water Communion activity included in the online UUA curriculum Tapestry of Faith.
- Offer small group ministry gatherings usinig the UU Service Committee’s Covenant Group module “The Right to Water”.
- Consider advocating for the “Water for the World” congressional resolution or offering support of the UN’s “World Water Decade - Water for Life.
- Describe differences and similarities between water resources in your international partner church community and your own (beauty, availability, treatment, etc.)
- During the Water Ceremony/Communion service or following it announce a congregational opportunity to participate in an international witness/service project with an organization like:
- The Casa Collective,
- Habitat for Humanity International,
- The UU Service Committee’s “Just Journeys” Program,
- Project Harvest Hope.
Congregations participating in the Faith Without Borders program will find this framework familiar, but all congregations are invited to make use of this new resource.
Please contact the UUA's International Resources Office if you have any questions about this material, or to share how you made use of it.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Raids & Deportations are a Mental Health Issue, Too
Raids and deportations are often viewed as workplace and legal issues. But there are some very good reasons that we should also view raids and deportations as mental health issues.
In October of 2007, the Urban Institute and National Council of la Raza (NCLR) released a 109 page report entitled, Paying the Price: The Impact of Immigration Raids on America's Children. According to the report, there are almost 5 million children in the United States with at least one undocumented parent--and because of our nation's broken immigration system, any of these children's parents could be detained or deported at any time.
The psychological consequences of having a parent suddenly taken away can be devastating, especially when children are too young to understand why their mother or father is suddenly gone. There is also a risk of children "personalizing" their parent's disappearance; a child may believe that he or she is somehow responsible, or that their parent's sudden disappearance is connected to his or her own behavior.
The resulting stress, guilt, grief, and anxiety can harm a child's mental and emotional well-being. Schoolwork, behavior, and relationships may suffer. Paying the Price details the consequences a workplace raid had for one 8 year-old boy.
For one eight-year-old boy, stress associated with his mother’s arrest manifested in health problems. Although his mother was released on the evening of the raid, he was unexpectedly picked up from school by a friend. While in the friend’s care, the boy overheard a conversation about the raid and cried for a couple of hours until his mother arrived home. Following his mother’s return, he found out about her possible deportation and experienced major separation anxiety. He was described as nervous and clingy after the raid, even though he had never displayed such symptoms before. He experienced repeated nightmares from which he sometimes awoke with uncontrollable shaking and loss of breath. He was taken to the hospital twice, and doctors diagnosed him with major anxiety disorder resulting from post-raid stress.
In October of 2007, the Urban Institute and National Council of la Raza (NCLR) released a 109 page report entitled, Paying the Price: The Impact of Immigration Raids on America's Children. According to the report, there are almost 5 million children in the United States with at least one undocumented parent--and because of our nation's broken immigration system, any of these children's parents could be detained or deported at any time.
The psychological consequences of having a parent suddenly taken away can be devastating, especially when children are too young to understand why their mother or father is suddenly gone. There is also a risk of children "personalizing" their parent's disappearance; a child may believe that he or she is somehow responsible, or that their parent's sudden disappearance is connected to his or her own behavior.The resulting stress, guilt, grief, and anxiety can harm a child's mental and emotional well-being. Schoolwork, behavior, and relationships may suffer. Paying the Price details the consequences a workplace raid had for one 8 year-old boy.
For one eight-year-old boy, stress associated with his mother’s arrest manifested in health problems. Although his mother was released on the evening of the raid, he was unexpectedly picked up from school by a friend. While in the friend’s care, the boy overheard a conversation about the raid and cried for a couple of hours until his mother arrived home. Following his mother’s return, he found out about her possible deportation and experienced major separation anxiety. He was described as nervous and clingy after the raid, even though he had never displayed such symptoms before. He experienced repeated nightmares from which he sometimes awoke with uncontrollable shaking and loss of breath. He was taken to the hospital twice, and doctors diagnosed him with major anxiety disorder resulting from post-raid stress.
--Paying the Price, p. 53
Stories like these remind serve as a reminder of how important it is to honor family ties, even when those ties cross legal boundaries of immigration status. They also remind us of the need to continue to advocate for just and compassionate family-based immigration reform.
Monday, August 18, 2008
The UUA Washington Office Welcomes Adam as our Acting Director!
Rob Keithan, Director of the UUA Washington Office for Advocacy, (pictured right) is leaving D.C. to undertake a ten-month ministerial internship in Portland, Oregon. Rob will be dearly missed!In his absence, former Legislative Assistant Adam Gerhardstein is stepping up as Acting Director.
Alex, Grace, and Lisa stayed up all night to prepare a hearty welcome for our new Acting Director on his first day. Pictures below.
We prepare.
Adam arrives.
And finds his office filled with balloons.
580 of them.
We wish Adam much joy in the coming year!
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Intern Chronicles
Julia Hodgson is a senior at American University where she is studying Psychology, Anthropology and Religion. She grew up in the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship in New Jersey.
As many rising seniors in college find themselves doing, I spent the end of last semester looking for an internship. Last year, I interned at a local non-profit - A Wider Circle - but I figured that now is the only time in my life I could try out a variety of things without feeling guilty that I wasn’t making any money doing so. At the advice of my minister at home in New Jersey, I decided to contact the UUA office in Washington, D.C., where I am going to school. It made sense to me. This would give me a chance to see the more political and action-oriented side of my faith. After countless emails and phone calls, I became the rare summer intern for the UUA Washington Office of Advocacy!
My first project involved a detailed analysis of data collected over the past two years from the emails sent out by the office to their various lists. Using what I could remember from high school statistics class, I did calculations, prepared graphs and charts and detailed explanations of what I had found. As a result of my work, the staff has decided to reorganize their lists to make communications more effective all around.
Of course, not everything was so glamorous. I did the requisite “intern work” of revising resource guides, creating databases, and other such tasks. But the most rewarding project allowed me to act upon what I was passionate about.
I spent a week earlier this summer on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota learning about and working with the Oglala-Lakota people. Horrified at the state of this third-world nation within our country, I knew I had to do something to try to fix it. At the UUA Washington Office I had the opportunity to work with Lisa Swanson, the Legislative Assistant for Racial and Economic Justice, to research and create a new portion of the website about Native American Justice. Now, there is extensive background information and ways to take action to help alleviate the sub-standard conditions that so many Native Americans are forced to live in.
So far, I’ve talked a lot about what I’ve done, but not so much about why I truly did it or how it fits into my life as a UU. I’m at that point in my college career where I’m supposed to be deciding what I want to do with my life. Until I came here, I was entirely unsure beyond “something that helps people.” However, I have been toying with the idea of becoming ordained as a minister since high school and now it’s making more and more sense. After all, it’s a profession that combines my strong UU faith, my love of people, and my belief in giving back to the world that I live in.
Being in the Washington Office has given me a small taste of the power a faith like ours has. I already knew the amazing energy that can come out of a group of people gathered in religious celebration, but this office has shown me the invaluable drive some people have to really make a difference. Between the employees here and the thousands of people who take action online, attend rallies, write their representatives and just plain care, I’m inspired to do more to continue that trend of putting faith into action.
Interning here has been a vital part of my path. I’ve met some amazing and motivated people. I’ve been able to see the behind-the-scenes of UUA social justice work. I’ve learned more about myself and what I want to do with my life. All in all, I’d say it was a pretty great way to spend a summer.
As many rising seniors in college find themselves doing, I spent the end of last semester looking for an internship. Last year, I interned at a local non-profit - A Wider Circle - but I figured that now is the only time in my life I could try out a variety of things without feeling guilty that I wasn’t making any money doing so. At the advice of my minister at home in New Jersey, I decided to contact the UUA office in Washington, D.C., where I am going to school. It made sense to me. This would give me a chance to see the more political and action-oriented side of my faith. After countless emails and phone calls, I became the rare summer intern for the UUA Washington Office of Advocacy!
My first project involved a detailed analysis of data collected over the past two years from the emails sent out by the office to their various lists. Using what I could remember from high school statistics class, I did calculations, prepared graphs and charts and detailed explanations of what I had found. As a result of my work, the staff has decided to reorganize their lists to make communications more effective all around.
Of course, not everything was so glamorous. I did the requisite “intern work” of revising resource guides, creating databases, and other such tasks. But the most rewarding project allowed me to act upon what I was passionate about.
I spent a week earlier this summer on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota learning about and working with the Oglala-Lakota people. Horrified at the state of this third-world nation within our country, I knew I had to do something to try to fix it. At the UUA Washington Office I had the opportunity to work with Lisa Swanson, the Legislative Assistant for Racial and Economic Justice, to research and create a new portion of the website about Native American Justice. Now, there is extensive background information and ways to take action to help alleviate the sub-standard conditions that so many Native Americans are forced to live in.
So far, I’ve talked a lot about what I’ve done, but not so much about why I truly did it or how it fits into my life as a UU. I’m at that point in my college career where I’m supposed to be deciding what I want to do with my life. Until I came here, I was entirely unsure beyond “something that helps people.” However, I have been toying with the idea of becoming ordained as a minister since high school and now it’s making more and more sense. After all, it’s a profession that combines my strong UU faith, my love of people, and my belief in giving back to the world that I live in.
Being in the Washington Office has given me a small taste of the power a faith like ours has. I already knew the amazing energy that can come out of a group of people gathered in religious celebration, but this office has shown me the invaluable drive some people have to really make a difference. Between the employees here and the thousands of people who take action online, attend rallies, write their representatives and just plain care, I’m inspired to do more to continue that trend of putting faith into action.
Interning here has been a vital part of my path. I’ve met some amazing and motivated people. I’ve been able to see the behind-the-scenes of UUA social justice work. I’ve learned more about myself and what I want to do with my life. All in all, I’d say it was a pretty great way to spend a summer.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Olympics and Politics
"The Purpose of the International Olympic Committee is to:...Cooperate with the competent public or private organizations and authorities in the endeavor to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace;...Act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement;...Encourage and support the promotion of women in sport at all levels and in all structures with a view to implementing the principle of equality of men and women;..."- From the Charter of the International Olympic Committee
There are many who claim we should make the Olympics as apolitical as possible. This is a time for sports and athleticism to be held up and to separate the athletes from the political policies of their member nations. And while I see the importance of this argument, I do not agree with it entirely. There are indeed dangers of confusing the athletes for the national government leaders they represent, much like the 1972 tragedy in Munich when members of the Israeli Olympic Team were taken hostage and killed by the Palestinian group Black September
Athleticism and sportsmanship can be an excellent venue to bring people together to celebrate. And there are times when the successes of athletes can be a political inspiration for many. The games themselves can be a source of political motivation and encouragement for national growth. Throughout the last 100 years of Olympic Games, we have seen athletes inspired us to rise to the challenge of peace and equality.
Take for instance the perseverance of Stamata Revithi, the Greek woman considered to be the first female Olympic athlete. Although women were not permitted to participate in the first Olympic Games in 1896, she ran the marathon regardless of the rules. The next year, women were allowed to participate in the Games. Revithi was able to prove to the world the strength and capability of women to participate as equals with men.
Another example politically inspiring athletics is the success of Jesse Owens during the 1936 Berlin Games. Owens, a Black American, defeated Hitler's prized athlete, Luz Long, in the long jump. This was a notable moment in the years leading up to World War II in which a Black American succeeded over a celebrity of the Third Reich. It is even more notable that Owens' success was due to advice from Long himself. Long’s sportsmanship and sense of fair play outweighed political pressures to uphold white supremacy. Owens went on to win four track and field gold medals that year, smashing the Nazi myth of Aryan racial superiority.
During the 1960 Summer Games in Rome, Italy, the Ethiopian marathon star Abebe Bikila won gold in the nation that once held his nation as a colony, showing the strength of former colonies in a post-colonial world. In this same year, Black American athletes Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Wilma Rudolph met Soviet criticism of racial segregation in the United States with gold medals. However, it was precisely because of the Olympics and Soviet criticism that these athletes were able to take such a pivotal role in American culture. 1960 also marked the first time the Paralympics were played for athletes with physical, mental and sensory disabilities.
Eight years later in Mexico City, Black American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos held Black Power salutes while on the victory blocks for their gold and silver medals respectively. This was a message to their home nation that they were not to be seen as second-class citizens.
During the height of the Cold War, The United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow while the Soviets boycotted the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. But these were not the first Olympic boycotts. In 1956, the Games were boycotted by several nations due to the Soviet repression of Hungary.
In 1980, the US Ice Hockey Olympic Team beat the USSR Olympic Team in the final round at the Lake Placid Winter Games. The Russians were heavily favored to win. But the team of largely amateur athletes defeated the Soviet team completely composed of active duty Red Army by scoring the winning point in the last five seconds of the game. This was seen as a major political victory for Cold War era United States.
I understand the allure of letting the Olympics be the Olympics. I understand why we may not want politics to get in the way of the athleticism. However, just as we ask our athletes to be the best they can and strive as hard as they can, we must also ask the nations of the world to strive to be the best they can. The Olympics are an excellent opportunity for international dialog and discussion apart from embassies and statesmen. To ignore this space for growth is foolhardy. Today, the Olympics are an excellent forum for our nations. We must demand further accountability of China for its human rights abuses and its involvement in Darfur and Myanmar/Burma. We must call upon the United States to recognize international environmental policy. We must decry Russia's attack on Georgia during the opening ceremonies. And we must recognize the successes on the international stage.
No matter how much we try to pull politics out of the Olympics, we will fail in that endeavor because it is inherent in the IOC charter that the Olympics will always be a political event--one that promotes peace, prosperity and equality.
There are many who claim we should make the Olympics as apolitical as possible. This is a time for sports and athleticism to be held up and to separate the athletes from the political policies of their member nations. And while I see the importance of this argument, I do not agree with it entirely. There are indeed dangers of confusing the athletes for the national government leaders they represent, much like the 1972 tragedy in Munich when members of the Israeli Olympic Team were taken hostage and killed by the Palestinian group Black September
Athleticism and sportsmanship can be an excellent venue to bring people together to celebrate. And there are times when the successes of athletes can be a political inspiration for many. The games themselves can be a source of political motivation and encouragement for national growth. Throughout the last 100 years of Olympic Games, we have seen athletes inspired us to rise to the challenge of peace and equality.
Take for instance the perseverance of Stamata Revithi, the Greek woman considered to be the first female Olympic athlete. Although women were not permitted to participate in the first Olympic Games in 1896, she ran the marathon regardless of the rules. The next year, women were allowed to participate in the Games. Revithi was able to prove to the world the strength and capability of women to participate as equals with men.
Another example politically inspiring athletics is the success of Jesse Owens during the 1936 Berlin Games. Owens, a Black American, defeated Hitler's prized athlete, Luz Long, in the long jump. This was a notable moment in the years leading up to World War II in which a Black American succeeded over a celebrity of the Third Reich. It is even more notable that Owens' success was due to advice from Long himself. Long’s sportsmanship and sense of fair play outweighed political pressures to uphold white supremacy. Owens went on to win four track and field gold medals that year, smashing the Nazi myth of Aryan racial superiority.
During the 1960 Summer Games in Rome, Italy, the Ethiopian marathon star Abebe Bikila won gold in the nation that once held his nation as a colony, showing the strength of former colonies in a post-colonial world. In this same year, Black American athletes Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) and Wilma Rudolph met Soviet criticism of racial segregation in the United States with gold medals. However, it was precisely because of the Olympics and Soviet criticism that these athletes were able to take such a pivotal role in American culture. 1960 also marked the first time the Paralympics were played for athletes with physical, mental and sensory disabilities.
Eight years later in Mexico City, Black American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos held Black Power salutes while on the victory blocks for their gold and silver medals respectively. This was a message to their home nation that they were not to be seen as second-class citizens.
During the height of the Cold War, The United States boycotted the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow while the Soviets boycotted the 1984 Summer Games in Los Angeles. But these were not the first Olympic boycotts. In 1956, the Games were boycotted by several nations due to the Soviet repression of Hungary.
In 1980, the US Ice Hockey Olympic Team beat the USSR Olympic Team in the final round at the Lake Placid Winter Games. The Russians were heavily favored to win. But the team of largely amateur athletes defeated the Soviet team completely composed of active duty Red Army by scoring the winning point in the last five seconds of the game. This was seen as a major political victory for Cold War era United States.
I understand the allure of letting the Olympics be the Olympics. I understand why we may not want politics to get in the way of the athleticism. However, just as we ask our athletes to be the best they can and strive as hard as they can, we must also ask the nations of the world to strive to be the best they can. The Olympics are an excellent opportunity for international dialog and discussion apart from embassies and statesmen. To ignore this space for growth is foolhardy. Today, the Olympics are an excellent forum for our nations. We must demand further accountability of China for its human rights abuses and its involvement in Darfur and Myanmar/Burma. We must call upon the United States to recognize international environmental policy. We must decry Russia's attack on Georgia during the opening ceremonies. And we must recognize the successes on the international stage.
No matter how much we try to pull politics out of the Olympics, we will fail in that endeavor because it is inherent in the IOC charter that the Olympics will always be a political event--one that promotes peace, prosperity and equality.
Monday, August 11, 2008
You're Invited: Midwest Interfaith Immigration Summit, Sept. 10 - 11
The UUA's Washington Office for Advocacy in Washington, D.C. and First UU Church of Columbus in Ohio have been working with the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, (an interfaith team of national faith advocacy groups based in D.C.), and Midwestern faith groups to plan the Midwest Interfaith Immigration Summit.
The two-day Summit will take place Sept. 10 - 11, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. Its goal is to bring faith-based leaders and advocates in the Midwest together to work towards educating and mobilizing their communities in support of fair and humane immigration reform. Workshops will cover a variety of topics, including state and federal legislation, Lobbying 101, Raids, Detention, and Worker Justice, and much more.
I will be attending to represent the UUA, and I encourage Midwestern UUs who are interested in immigrant rights & immigration reform to attend. The UUA is offering a few scholarship to cover tuition ($95 before August 15th). If you are interested in attending and/or applying for a scholarship, or have any questions about the Summit, please contact me at lswanson@uua.org.
Register online at: http://hias.org/midwest-interfaith-immigration-summit
If you would like to post a flier in your congregation's place of meeting, a printable PDF is available here: http://www.hias.org/files/immigration/SummitSavetheDateFinalUpdated_2.pdf
Principal Coordinator: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Sponsored By: American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Church World Service, Franciscan Action Network, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Mennonite Central Committee, NETWORK, Ohio Council of Churches, Ohio Hispanic Coalition, Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Sojourners, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations,Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, United Jewish Communities, & World Relief.
Endorsed By: Friends Committee on National Legislation, Interfaith Worker Justice, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS).
Made possible in part by a grant from the Open Society Institute & The Carnegie Corporation of New York.
The two-day Summit will take place Sept. 10 - 11, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. Its goal is to bring faith-based leaders and advocates in the Midwest together to work towards educating and mobilizing their communities in support of fair and humane immigration reform. Workshops will cover a variety of topics, including state and federal legislation, Lobbying 101, Raids, Detention, and Worker Justice, and much more.
I will be attending to represent the UUA, and I encourage Midwestern UUs who are interested in immigrant rights & immigration reform to attend. The UUA is offering a few scholarship to cover tuition ($95 before August 15th). If you are interested in attending and/or applying for a scholarship, or have any questions about the Summit, please contact me at lswanson@uua.org.
Register online at: http://hias.org/midwest-interfaith-immigration-summit
If you would like to post a flier in your congregation's place of meeting, a printable PDF is available here: http://www.hias.org/files/immigration/SummitSavetheDateFinalUpdated_2.pdf
Principal Coordinator: Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)Sponsored By: American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, Church World Service, Franciscan Action Network, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, Mennonite Central Committee, NETWORK, Ohio Council of Churches, Ohio Hispanic Coalition, Peace and Justice Support Network of Mennonite Church USA, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Sojourners, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations,Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society, United Jewish Communities, & World Relief.
Endorsed By: Friends Committee on National Legislation, Interfaith Worker Justice, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS).
Made possible in part by a grant from the Open Society Institute & The Carnegie Corporation of New York.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Love the Immigrant as Yourself - New Sanctuary Movement in Kansas City
This is actually old news, but I just saw a picture of a billboard erected almost a year ago by the Immigrant Justice Advocacy Movement (formerly the New Sanctuary Movement Coalition of Greater Kansas City), and wanted to share it here. Picture credited to KMBC - TV of Kansas City.Last year, about twenty churches in the Kansas City, Missouri, decided to form a coalition in support of immigrant families as part of the New Sanctuary Movement (NSM). Among these was All Souls UU Church, members of whom were present September 25, 2007, when over a hundred people gathered to announce the coalition.
One UU church member, Angela Ferguson, was quoted by the Kansas City Star as saying, “Our goal is to speak out against making immigrants the scapegoats of all problems. If you can’t get that off the table, then we can’t have a logical debate about how to fix the situation.”
I think the Immigrant Justice Advocacy Movement found the perfect words to convey that message.
Picture credited to Freddy Rhoads, originally posted at http://nsmkc.blogspot.com/For more information:
Click here for a Unitarian Universalist guide to the New Sanctuary Movement, or check out our webpages on Immigration at UUA.org.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Rev. Sinkford's Reflections on HIV/AIDS in the Daily Voice
For years, Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the UUA, has pushed for our government to fund comprehensive sexuality education as a way of preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS. Today, he published an editorial continuing his advocacy in the Daily Voice, a web site aiming to be the leading destination for African American news and opinion. In it, he reacts to a slew of recent developments, including the Saturday release of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention study, last week’s signing into law of the new President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and the recent study from the Black AIDS Institute. Click here for the Daily Voice.
News of Ahmedabad Bombings from Holdeen Partner, SEWA
Dear Friends,
You may have heard about 18 bomb blasts in Ahmedabad. UU Holdeen India Program (UUHIP) is partners with Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in Ahmedabad, India. We thought we would send you a short report on what has been happening to SEWA and SEWA members so far. The following was excerpted from a letter sent by the director of SEWA, Reema Nanavaty:
You may have heard about 18 bomb blasts in Ahmedabad. UU Holdeen India Program (UUHIP) is partners with Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in Ahmedabad, India. We thought we would send you a short report on what has been happening to SEWA and SEWA members so far. The following was excerpted from a letter sent by the director of SEWA, Reema Nanavaty:
There were 18 blasts in Ahmedabad, all in public places, killing 54 people and injuring about 120. The most deadly blast happened in the trauma ward of the Civil hospital as the victims from other blasts began to come in for treatment. The really sad thing is that all the bombs were placed in the working class areas of Ahmedabad and most of the people who died or were injured were workers. Many of the killed or injured were from families of SEWA members.In response to the tragedy, UUA President Bill Sinkford and Executive Vice President Kathleen Montgomery, have sent the following letter of condolence to SEWA members:
The immediate effect of the blasts was a sense of fear that covered the city. People were afraid to send their children to school, afraid to go out to social occasions and afraid to go to work. This especially affected many SEWA members as the bombs had gone off in their areas fairly close to where they live or work. This sense of security was further worsened by the rumours of new bombs--- in schools, in marketplaces, in buses--- that flew around the city, aided by mobile phones and smses. The ghastly scenes shown on TV also heightened a sense of panic. However, the Police and the media had special numbers where one could phone and find out whether these rumours were true or not.
SEWA members' employment has been affected badly, especially certain groups. The worst affected are paper pickers and rag collectors. they have been instructed by the police to stay away from all garbage and waste heaps , and they themselves are also afraid to put their hands into any piles which may conceal a bomb.
Street vendors too have been affected. Consumers are afraid to go to market places and so sales have reduced. Vendors too are bringing much less produce to the market as they are afraid of lo sing their wares as many did in the aftermath to the blasts. In many areas, the street vendors themselves are scared to go to work as they are the most vulnerable.
In some cases employers have suspended work put of fear. Home-based kite makers have had no work since the blasts. Workers in a number of factories have been told not to come, until the employers feel the city is safe.
SEWA leaders and members reacted as soon as they heard about the bombs. SEWA leaders fanned out in the areas to find out about injuries, to take people to hospital, and to make sure they got the best treatment. Individual SEWA members too reacted immediately to help--for example, one SEWA member who was visiting a relative in Civil hospital when the blast took place, immediately took up a collection from her relatives and ran to buy medicines for the injured.
Given the history of the communal violence in Ahmedabad,and the speculation and rumours that these bombs were revenge for the 2002 riots, all were fearful that there would once again be communal violence. SEWA leaders took the message that all its members should be calm and make sure there was no violence in their areas. We had meetings in the Shanti Path (Way of Peace) centres of SEWA where Hindu and Muslim members discussed the incident. One member said, " In these blasts both Hindus and Muslims have died. The terrorists have no religion--they are anti-people. We must get together and defeat their designs of dividing us". The Government and the police too made sure that no one preached the message of communal violence.
Many SEWA members had a lucky escape. In Hatkeshwar area, one vendor member of SEWA had brought her two small children with her after school. Later the police found an unexploded bomb three feet away from where she and her children were sitting. In Surat 21 bombs were discovered, 12 of which were near the settlements of our members.
SEWA is now trying to bring an atmosphere of normalcy and make sure that all are once again fully employed and that all members stay together in the Way of Peace.
With regards
Yours Sincerely
Reema Nanavaty
SEWA.
August 6, 2008
Dear Reema Nanavaty and SEWA leaders,
It was with tremendous anguish that the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) learned that nearly 200 innocent people were killed or injured during the recent bombings in Ahmedabad, and that among those injured or killed were 19 members of SEWA. The close relationship that the UUA has with SEWA, especially through the good offices of
In the correspondence that we received, a SEWA member was quoted as saying: "In these blasts both Hindus and Muslims have died. The terrorists have no religion--they are anti-people. We must get together and defeat their designs of dividing us". In that very spirit the UUA will pray for your continuing efforts to assure full employment for your members, and a Way of Peace in your communities. You are an inspiration to us. And, though this tragedy breaks our hearts, a future of peace, liberty and justice for all people remains our shared commitment.
Sincerely,
Reverend Willliam G. Sinkford,
President, Unitarian Universalist Association
Kathleen Montgomery,
Executive Vice President, Unitarian Universalist Association
The UUA is also providing financial support to SEWA to further help with their relief efforts.
Individuals who would like to contribute to the relief effort may do so. Please make your check payable to UU Holdeen India Program and write "SEWA Relief" in the memo line. Mail to:
Unitarian Universalist Holdeen India Program
666 11th Street, NW, Suite 800
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Bush Administration and Birth Control
The Bush administration has just drafted a set of regulations which would widen the definition of abortion to include various types of contraceptives, including birth control pills. In the administration’s proposed definition, abortion would include, “any of the various procedures -- including the prescription and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action -- that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation.”
The regulation would deny federal funding to any health center, hospital or clinic that does not allow health care employees to opt out of providing services that would violate the employee’s moral beliefs. This would include the dissemination of birth control.
As reported by The Washington Post, the regulation also mentions that "many states have recently passed laws requiring health plans to pay for contraception, pharmacists to fill prescriptions for birth control, and hospitals to offer Plan B to women who have been raped." The administrations inclusion of these facts indicates a belief that health care for women, including survivors of rape is something that is wrong with the current health care system.
States requiring health plans to cover contraceptives is a big step for feminism and reproductive health activists, but now we have an administration that wants to limit these plans. By not funding health care that dispenses contraceptives, the Bush administration is putting thousands of women, specifically low-income women, at risk.
Allowing members of the medical community to decide when or if they should give women reproductive health treatment puts women at risk of STIs, unwanted pregnancy and psychological harm.
This is not only an issue of reproductive choice, it is also an issue of the rights of women in general, and even how we respond to domestic violence.
You can protect a woman's access to birth control by telling Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt to reject this harmful regulation.
Hiroshima Day
On this day in 1945, President Harry S. Truman's order to use nuclear weapons against the Japanese was fulfilled. The bomb, nicknamed Little Boy, was dropped from the B-29 Bomber Enola Gay by Col. Paul Tibbets on the city of Hiroshima. The blast had the equivalent to approximately 13 to 16 thousand tons of TNT.
Some 66,000 people were killed. And another 69,000 were injured according to estimations from the US Dept. of Energy.
Today, we recognize all the lives lost or destroyed in Hiroshima.
On a day like today, only the words of poetry are able to express the pain of the world.
"There came a Wind like a Bugle," by Emily Dickinson.
Some 66,000 people were killed. And another 69,000 were injured according to estimations from the US Dept. of Energy.
Today, we recognize all the lives lost or destroyed in Hiroshima.
On a day like today, only the words of poetry are able to express the pain of the world.
"There came a Wind like a Bugle," by Emily Dickinson.
There came a Wind like a Bugle-
It quivered through the Grass
And a Green Chill upon the Heat
So ominous did pass
We barred the Windows and the Doors
As from an Emerald Ghost-
The Doom's electric Moccasin
That very instant passed-
On a strange Mob of panting Trees
And Fences fled away
And Rivers where the Houses ran
Those looked that lived-that Day-
The Bell within the steeple wild
The flying tidings told-
How much can come
And much can go,
And yet abide the World!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Environmental Justice Legislation in the Senate
Last Thursday morning, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works passed two environmental justice bills, introduced by Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA), that help protect minority and low-income communities from being disproportionately burdened by environmental problems. They are (quoted from Solis' office):
Given that the current Congressional term ends in late September, it is unlikely that these bills will move further this term. However, the passing of these two bills out of committee makes it much more likely that they will be green-lighted if and when they are re-introduced next term.
We would like to thank Congresswoman Solis for being a champion on this important, under-recognized justice issue. And also to pass on the information, for those of you who live in the Los Angeles area, that Rep. Solis will be holding an event on August 21, 2008 from 10am – Noon at the East Los Angeles Skills Center titled “Greening Our Capitol, Greening Our Communities: Affordable, Effective Green Investments.” The briefing will give information on ways to incorporate effective, affordable green strategies.
S.642/H.R. 1103 - Environmental Justice Act of 2007 – This legislation requires the implementation of the Clinton Executive Order on environmental justice, and strengthens federal efforts to address environmental justice problems. It also requires agencies to implement environmental justice recommendations from the Government Accountability Office and EPA’s Inspector General. Senator Durbin is the lead author of the Senate bill – Rep. Solis authored the House version.
S.2549/H.R. 5132 – Environmental Justice Renewal Act – This legislation requires federal agencies to implement plans to identify and then reduce or eliminate environmental justice threats, and to expand their efforts to gather information about environmental justice problems and help develop solutions to such serious issues. Senator Clinton is the lead author of the Senate bill – Rep. Solis authored the House version.
Given that the current Congressional term ends in late September, it is unlikely that these bills will move further this term. However, the passing of these two bills out of committee makes it much more likely that they will be green-lighted if and when they are re-introduced next term.
We would like to thank Congresswoman Solis for being a champion on this important, under-recognized justice issue. And also to pass on the information, for those of you who live in the Los Angeles area, that Rep. Solis will be holding an event on August 21, 2008 from 10am – Noon at the East Los Angeles Skills Center titled “Greening Our Capitol, Greening Our Communities: Affordable, Effective Green Investments.” The briefing will give information on ways to incorporate effective, affordable green strategies.
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