1st Unitarian Church of Chicago
- Emancipation Proclamation Pageant for over 12 years, held at both 1st Unitarian and sometimes at other venues
- Nature of Racism course for at least 12 years
- Participates in anti-KKK demonstrations
- Participates in demonstrations & vigils relating to police abuse, racial profiling, etc.
- Film series featuring films promoting multiracial unity
- 2-3 forums a year related to fighting racism
- Starting this year will be giving a Multi-Racial Unity award to a Chicago-area person who has done much to promote multi-racial unity.
2nd Unitarian Church of
Chicago
* Spotlight Luncheon - "Is Racism Dead Now That Barack Obama is President?"
A co-sponsored event between Second Unitarian's W.I.D.E. Community and
Social Justice Council, designed to build conscious-raising on issue of
race and criminal justice and the need for our church to get involved.
The luncheon occurred in February during "Black History" month,
and we invited the Community Renewal Society as our guest speakers. They
spoke for about 30 minutes, followed by a 40-45 minute Q & A.
There were approximately 30-35 people who attended, and we asked that
they sign-in with their contact information for follow up.
The issues that were discussed were: Education Funding Disparities based
on race, and Criminal Justice as it relates to children of incarcerated
parents.
At the end of the meeting we asked for a "call-to-action" and
discussed how participants can get involved on these issues.
From this event we were able to identify 2U issue leaders for both education
funding reform and children of the incarcerated. Now these 2U leaders
we will be able to start building, organizing, expanding our congregation
to work for justice on these issues and others. Moving forward, the 2U
Social Justice Council will continue to support justice-seeking leaders
with turnout to actions, leadership development, organizing conscious-raising
luncheons, and spiritual growth.
Countryside Church UU
- Youth hosted and participated in CMWDistrict Youth and Young Adult AR/AO/MC training (anti-racism, anti-oppression, multicultural) training - fall 2007
- Book Circle trip to a lecture by Nobel Peace Prize nominee Greg Mortenson