UCE REAL Yo-Social Review

On Friday, July 28, our second REAL Meal attracted 12 eager culinary adventurers to Badou Senegalese Cuisine at 2055 W. Howard, Chicago.

Chef Badou had helpfully suggested in advance that, instead of ordering individually, he would choose for us four of his best and most representative dishes. These were: Djolof Rice: a vegetarian dish with jerk chicken on the side Mafe: a peanut butter stew with either vegetables only or with chicken (We had the vegetarian version) Yassa fish: tilapia cooked with lime, dijon, and vinegar Lentils and peas, or Badou Soul Food.

When we arrived, the table was set for us in the middle of their very modest space, but the chef had left, taking several large trays of food, for an event he was catering. This left his wife to prepare our dinner by herself.  As you might imagine, service was slow but well worth the wait. We started with an appetizer of pastries filled with a choice of meat or vegetables. The entrée dishes came out one by one, all delicious, and with mouth-watering aromas and seasonings.  The platters were piled high, and by the time we finished the third dish, we were all stuffed and decided to forego the lentils and peas and instead enjoy a conversation with our hostess, with high praise for her cooking.

The leisurely pace of the meal forced us to really savor the food and enjoy some lively and interesting talk. Most of us thought we’d be back again to try other offerings.

REAL plans to have these events on a regular basis, so watch for our next announcement.

Hopes and Fears from the “Promise and Practice” Service

The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith Campaign is described on the UUA website as “our opportunity to take the lead as a faith denomination in addressing our history of upholding white supremacy. Together, we can collectively work to dismantle it and amend a long broken promise to the Black Lives within our Association.”  The service at UCE on June 3 addressed this possibility, giving congregants a chance to commit to writing, during a ritual of lamentation, their hopes and fears about assuming a leadership role in righting the wrongs of the past in our denomination.

Hopes were expressed by some in terms of individual aspirations, such as for greater understanding, the wisdom to come up with the right words and actions when they are needed, the ability to overcome fear of mistakes in speaking up, better listening, letting go, being more fearless, having more insight. One person hoped to go beyond being open to the “other” and actually seeking out people of different backgrounds and experience. Others yearned for more peace, love, kindness, comfort, joy, and dignity and respect for all people.

Some writers hoped that UCE and UUA will lead the way in acknowledging past failures and in finally dismantling white supremacy.  There was also hope that the community, the nation, and the world will work for greater love, honesty, and understanding and an end to policies that increase income inequality.

Fears also ranged from the personal to the general:  “I fear being ridiculed by my neighbor, that I will not contribute all I can, that I’ll hurt someone, that I will close my heart to others.” More broadly, that we at UCE will not realize our white supremacy and the hurt it causes, that we as Americans are stalled by apathy and comfort with things as they are, that we will repeat the same mistakes, and that the current divisiveness and hate in the country will get worse before it gets better

There is much work to be done, but it seems clear that people were deeply moved by this service, and that many have been wrestling with these concerns and want to learn how to be part of the solution.

Recently a shocking racist incident occurred at a Unitarian Universalist church – the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church (TJMC) in Charlottesville, Virginia. Read what happened, and how the recipient of the racism responded, and how the church itself responded. What does this mean for us at UCE? Might this kind of thing happen here? If it did how would we handle it? Do you think TJMC handled it well or would you have done something differently?

A Message from REAL

Dear UCE Family,

I am writing in regards to the Black Lives Matter sign that we will be voting on in May.  Let me begin by just saying how much this sign has meant to my wife and I.  Since its installation, it has been a constant reminder to me of why I chose to become a member of this community.  There are a myriad of reasons why the sign is so important but l will mention just a couple.

First, it makes me proud because it tells all who pass by that UCE understands.  It lets passersby know that this church gets that there are still very real issues in this country (world?) for people of color regarding the justice system, stereotypes, equal pay,  law  enforcement relations, civil rights, employment (and on and  on).  This understanding is a big deal.  I feel as if I spend a lot of time trying to explain to people simply how these issues still present themselves to us in our day to day lives.  My wife and I have more than once been mistaken for maids when lodging at a very nice hotel.  Not sure what maids wear flip flops and a swimsuit cover up but I have stopped trying to figure it out.  I just assume that my brown face seems out of place in a five star hotel – unless of course I am the maid.  However, I do not have to explain these issues or problems to my church community.  UCE understands -so much so that they put up a sign announcing it to the world.  The sign does not just say Black Lives Matter; it says so much more.

My wife and I once joined the gathering to stand by the sign on a Sunday after church.  An African American couple initially drove by with the wife enthusiastically hanging out of the window and her husband honking in support.  The next thing we knew – they had parked and come to join us.  They said they could not just drive by and that they wanted to stand with us.  They seemed amazed that this group of (truth be told) mostly Caucasian People thought that Black Lives Matter.  They even asked “What church is this”?  It was just wonderful and I will never forget it.  This is the message that the Black Lives Matter sign is sending, even when no one is gathered near it after church on Sunday.

The sign also makes me proud because it took courage to put it up in the first place.  When so many cannot even begin to understand the slogan and get stuck asking “Doesn’t my life matter too?”.  It is refreshing to me to know that I belong to a community that knew that when the sign went up some in the community may not only be unhappy but could very well vandalize the sign or church for that matter.  Only pure love and courage could put the sign up anyway.

Thirdly, the sign is so important because like any sign it announces loud and clear what is happening inside of the building that it is in front of.  Any good sign has one job and that is to inform in a short and concise manner what’s inside (a school, hamburgers for sale, open or closed for business, a church, etc.).  Our Black Lives Matter Sign shouts that significant work is taking place inside of our church’s four walls.  Why else would one put up a sign like that – unless it was to announce to the world that this is what we are about?  In its simplicity, the sign tells the world about the wonderful and essential work that UCE has been doing and I am certain will continue to do.  I personally NEVER get tired of telling people that MY CHURCH had Dr. King speak at it.  People literally run from me when I start bragging.  Never mind that I was not even born when he visited UCE.

Thank you for allowing me to tell you my feelings about the Black Lives Matter Sign.  To me, it is a thing of great pride and beauty.  I smile a big, fat, stupid grin every single time I drive by it.  It was relevant when we put it up almost three years ago and it is still relevant.  It is my sincere hope that the members of UCE will vote that it remain.

My best,

Debra Clements-Simmons

Race Matters:

an occasional blog from your Racial Equity Action and Leadership (REAL) team

Member Shannon Lang shared these words at the town-hall meeting about the Black Lives Matter Sign on 2/18/18:

I have been a member of UCE for almost 2 years. As you may have noticed, I am one of the few Black and Brown lives that attend the Unitarian Church of Evanston. What made me walk through those doors in the in the first place? It was because of the Black Lives Matter sign out front. One of the reasons I stay is because of the Black Lives Matter sign out front.

That sign is a daily reminder to me, a Black Life who is a member of this church, my family and to our Black and Brown Brothers and Sisters in Evanston, that you do care, that you are empathic to the struggle of being Black or Brown in Evanston, even if you don’t fully understand that struggle.

What about the statement “well, all lives matter, not just black lives.” This is true. Of course all lives matter, but there is serious and painful flaw in that statement. A New York Times article from July 2016 put it this way: “Those in the Black Lives Matter movement say black people are in immediate danger and need immediate attention, like the broken bone or a house on fire. Saying “All Lives Matter” in response would suggest to them that all people are in equal danger, invalidating the specific concerns of black people.”

If you attended church on January 28th, you heard Reverend Lynnda White speak about the history of the Unitarian Church and its treatment of Black Lives. We learned that in the past, The Unitarian Church, as an organization, has failed its Black & Brown Members. By keeping the sign up, the Unitarian Church of Evanston can, in a small way, atone for past mistakes of the organization as a whole.

I asked my daughters what they thought about UCE having the discussion about whether to keep the Black Lives Matter sign up or take it down. Marlowe, age 12 said: “We should keep the sign up. If we take it down it would show a sign of weakness. If we leave it up, it shows we are brave and that we support Black Lives Matter and it shows that we are not afraid to say what we think.” Francesca, age 8 said: “They need to leave it up because many people don’t believe that Black Lives Matter and maybe the sign will help people learn that Black Lives Do Matter.”

I would love for each of us to ask ourselves the following questions: 1) Do Black Lives not matter anymore? 2) Has the systemic injustice to black and brown lives suddenly resolved itself? 3) And most importantly, what statement would it make the community to take the sign down? If the congregation votes to take the sign down, I don’t know if I would be able to walk through the doors again.

Shannon Lang UCE Member

Race Matters 

an occasional blog from your Racial Equity Action and Leadership (REAL) team

A question about the Black Lives Matter vigil:

What’s the point of people standing out on Ridge Ave for 20 minutes after church with Black Lives Matter signs?   What possible benefit does that have?

A REAL answer:  There are several reasons the vigil is worthwhile and even important. It reinforces UCE’s presence in the community, its witnessing and acting for racial justice.  We have gotten feedback from variety of people in the community who have noticed and appreciated our being out there. We always get supportive honks and raised fists (and very rarely fingers) from cars.  For people who usually don’t feel comfortable physically demonstrating about various issues, it’s a safe way to expand their comfort zones and “put their bodies where their mouths are.”  Plus, it’s invigorating and fun for the people standing there with signs and song sheets.  A rousing, even if slightly off key, rendition of “We Will Not Be Moved” increases community spirit and individual sense of purpose.

REAL events coming up in the next few months:

• Join us on Tuesday evenings January 16, 23 and 30 for free movies and popcorn. On the 16^th and 23^rd we’ll be showing some short videos, and on the 30^th will present I Am Not Your Negro (James Baldwin), all of which will lead to some great discussion. Mark your calendars now!
• Black Lives Matter sign discussion. Because there is some sentiment (not shared by REAL) that under our bylaws and the terms of the original vote to erect the Black Lives Matter sign there needs to be another vote to re-state support for the sign, the Board of Trustees and REAL will host two after-church discussions about the continued usefulness of the sign in front of our church.  It will then be the subject of a vote at the annual meeting in May. The first of these discussions will be after church on February 11.  If you have feelings or questions about the sign, or want to make your support for it heard, please come to that discussion and/or the second one, date not yet set by the Board.
• The REAL team and UCE’s Organizing Team are, with representatives of other Evanston congregations, planning a two-or-three part workshop for March. It will be a great way to dig deeper into “Transforming White Privilege” and connect to other people in the community doing this work.  Keep alert for more details.

What can you do this month to further racial equity?

In addition to joining the vigil on Sundays, this is a month for extra giving.  Organizations that do wonderful work combatting racism include:

Southern Poverty Law Center:  https://www.splcenter.org/

Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative  www.eji.org/

For more ideas, go to:

http://www.racialequityresourceguide.org/organizations/organizations/sectionFilter/Racial%20Healing

Want a good book to read and/or give this holiday? 

Sue Carlton reviews Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving (Cambridge, MA : Elephant Room Press, 2014):

What does it mean to be white in the United States?

Waking Up White is the story of one white woman’s journey to understand how racism in the United States has shaped her. Debby Irving grew up in Winchester, Massachusetts during the 60s and 70s. Her childhood in this predominantly white upper-middle class suburb was blissfully sheltered.  After college, she began work in Boston as an administrator in a variety of arts related, community based, not-for-profit organizations. It was here that she began to observe a racial divide. Irving repeatedly found that her best efforts to “help” students of color caused more harm than the good she intended. Her diversity efforts lacked traction. She sensed racial tensions in her personal and professional relationships and found herself worrying about offending colleagues and neighbors she dearly wanted to befriend. Then in 2009 one “aha!” moment launched a journey of discovery and insight that drastically shifted her world view. She enrolled in a graduate course entitled “Race and Cultural Identity” and began to comprehend white privilege and how much she had benefited over the years because she was white.  She began to realize that the playing field in the United States is not level and whites help keep it not level – that without her knowledge or active pursuit, she lives in a society which is set up to reward her at the expense of people of color. Because of this white privilege, the lives of people in the United States play out very differently along racial lines.

Speaking from her own perspective and sharing her personal narrative, Irving opens a rare window on how whites in the United States are socialized. She details the struggle to understand her racialized belief system and how the mechanics of racism operate in her own life. Her brutal honesty as well as her recognition that it is possible to be both a good person and complicit in a corrupt system helps create an atmosphere that supports readers in reconsidering their own perceptions and beliefs. Irving’s exploration of how white privilege operates in her life also allows readers to more readily see how systemic privilege plays out in their own lives. Irving stresses that it is only through doing this difficult work that she has gotten to the point where she can more effectively contribute to the movement of righting racial wrongs. As she observes, “Wanting beloved community is not enough. If we don’t take on the task of educating ourselves about how to dismantle racism both in ourselves and in our communities, we can do more harm than good.”

Waking Up White is written in short chapters with exercises at the end of each chapter that prompt readers to explore their own racialized ideas. This makes it a particularly good resource for both individual exploration and group discussion. It is available in print, eBook and audio formats. One reader offered up a particularly pithy review that captures an important reason to seek out and read Waking Up White:  “This book is a great place to start learning what you don’t know that you don’t know you don’t know.”

Plan ahead for next summer:

The critically acclaimed Fleetwood-Jourdain Theatre, on Noyes, has just announced their exciting lineup for summer 2018.  The season starts on June 16 and includes three plays and two concerts.  Best deal: sign up for Premium Gold Member card by 12/31 and get all 5 for $55:   

From the Mississippi Delta by Endesha Ida Mae Holland, PhD., June 16-July 1

Top Dog/Underdog by Suzan-Lori Parks, July 14-29

Crowns by Regina Taylor, August 11-26

Crossroads Blues Festival, August 30

Old School R&B Concert, August 31

Last year’s productions were profound and powerfully acted, and ticket prices are a bargain.  This is an important community institution and a resource worth supporting. Learn more at fjtheatre@cityofevanston.org.

What and Who is the REAL team?

The REAL team originated in the spring of 2015.  We work to increase our congregation’s understanding of racism and our capacities to confront and eradicate it.  The current planning team consists of Karen Courtright, Martha Holman, Lynn Kendall, Sarah Vanderwicken and Betty Walker.  All those in the congregation who support and participate in this mission are part of the team.  Come join us!

At the White Supremacy Teach-in II a couple of weeks ago, we asked congregants to slip any questions they have about race issues into the Q and A box (that is on the table at the back of the sanctuary).  Here are the questions we received that day, and the REAL team’s initial answers.  [more]

Q: How can you be an ally without seeming like you’re on “a high horse” – without  coming from a position of moral superiority?

A:  We don’t know for sure from your question what the context of the situation is. We are assuming you mean: how do you respond to a micro-aggression or straight up racist comment without claiming moral superiority.  Jay Smooth suggests treating a racist comment like noticing spinach in your friend’s teeth.  A good friend would tell them about the spinach – quietly and with no fanfare. Even for ourselves, becoming anti-racist isn’t a one-time achievement and you’re done.  It’s more like dental hygiene.  We all need to keep at it.   To learn more about this, check out Jay’s Ted Talk, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Discussing Race. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFcQKHh72_w 

And there’s this interesting story about speaking up: https://medium.com/embrace-            race/when-the-racist-is-someone-you-know-and-love-2933c7049182

Q:   My sister-in-law, who I love, said to me “Black people have everything.”  She was referring to affirmative action and welfare.  I responded with some facts I learned at UCE, but I think differently of her now.  How do I move forward and not judge her?

A:   We all have people in our lives who “don’t get it” and we still love them in whatever way we can.  If we truly honor our first principle, we affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person, even those who don’t see the world exactly as we do.  And remember, since we were born into a world of white supremacy we are all racists, so it may be helpful to look inside and work on one’s own stuff to be able to more easily see that others can make mistakes too.  It’s just something to work on for oneself.  Hopefully, the seeds you planted with your sister-in-law will bear fruit one day!

Bonus:  From Doug Muder in the current UU World:

“Racism isn’t like a bacterial infection that falls to an intense course of antibiotics and is never seen again. Racism is a chronic condition like hypertension or diabetes. Given proper attention, it need not be debilitating. But once you find it in yourself, don’t expect that you will ever be rid of it.”

What are some other answers?

What are some other questions?

What’s Going On with Affordable Housing in Evanston?

There is a lot of interest and movement towards ensuring more affordable housing in Evanston (and elsewhere). Census data and observation show that Evanston is losing the diversity it prides itself in and many people can no longer afford to live here.  In fact, between 2000 and 2015, Evanston lost almost 25% of its African-American population (from 16,704 to 12,577). During the same time, housing costs have escalated enormously and now about half the Evanston population is paying more than 30% of their income on housing.  Joining Forces for Affordable Housing, a coalition of social service agencies and faith-based institutions, has recently formed to provide leadership and pressure to get the City moving on this. It is being staffed by Sue Loellbach of Connections for the Homeless.  More to come.

What can you do this week to further race equity?

Join us Sunday after church to stand on Ridge with Black Lives Matter signs and songs.  It’s fun, and it’s noticed and appreciated in the community.

Watch this video: Bryan Stevenson: Can We Talk About an Injustice?

Attend the City Council meeting Monday October 30 to hear what City Council members are learning about affordable housing.  City staff are going to make a presentation to the Council on facts and range of opportunities, and council members are planning (hoping) to really dig into the dirt and talk among themselves about their questions and thoughts.  If you have Comcast you can also watch the meeting on Channel 16.  Joining Forces for Affordable Housing will be holding a press conference at City Hall at 5 pm to present recommended principles for framing the discussion and considering the possibilities being presented.

Note:  The REAL team plans to periodically have a link to this blog in the weekly newsletter. Keep a watch out for it, and let us know if you have a short video, article or news item you’d like to share, or more Q and As.

On Saturday, March 25, the REAL team presented a program titled “Women Making Change” to focus on the accomplishments and the stories of the African American women in this community. It was attended by at least one hundred twenty people who enjoyed a hearty meal and engaged in lively discussion.

The program was designed to offer a chance for all citizens in Evanston to join together in sharing a meal, which was the particular goal of Gretchen Brewster, to discuss their ideas about the issues facing women and to hear the ideas and experiences of local African American women of note.

Dino Robinson, of Shorefront Legacy Center, opened the program with a brief history of some of the Black women leaders in Evanston. Dr. Cheryl Johnson-Odim, a prominent activist and educator, then expanded this history to a wider community and time. She was joined by JoAnn Avery of Family Focus, and Karli Butler of Curt’s Café, who shared their experiences and ideas for change in a panel discussion. Following their presentations, Representative Jan Schakowsky joined them and offered a few comments.

Information about various community programs and their needs are available for the asking. Check out the REAL bulletin board above the Lending Library cart for some ideas, or ask a REAL team member.

As always, we are indebted to the staff (who went above and beyond) and volunteers at UCE who helped make the program a success. They are: Liz Eason and Kathy Talmage, Kristi Anderson, Jane Bannor, Dana Deane, Heike Eghardt, Liz Goodwin, Paula Giroux, Lynn Kendall, Jeanne Kerl, Shannon Lang, Gay Menges, Jinny Niemann, Chris Peterson, Kate Poole, Gini Sayad, Michael Skilton, Joan Taylor, Jan Valukas and Betty Walker. Thank you!

The REAL team asks you to consider supporting these local, black-owned businesses:
 

Food:
Claire’s Corner
Hecky’s Barbeque
Jamaican Jerk
Jennifer’s Edibles  (catering)
Just Turkey
Kingston Grill
Yo-fresh Yogurt café

Services
Dental Art Specialists
Carl E. Hill, MD
Generation Copy
Good News Laundry
Smitty’s Auto Repair and Towing
Turf Care Landscaping, 847.475.1677

Goods:
African-American Black Gifts (online store)
Brown Baby Reads (online store)

Fitness
Body Science personal fitness training
Fitness Avenues
Hip Circle Studio
The Fitness Matrix

Hair
Ashley Lauren
Executive Studio Hair Salon
Ikandi Hair Studio
Wesley’s International Hair Salon
SLK

Clothes
Classy Closet Consignment
Minouchic Boutique resale
Stepping Out on Faith consignment

Insurance:
Honeycomb insurance
Jim Lee- State Farm insurance
Robert Reece Insurance/Financial Services

Other:
American Defensive Driving school
Paige and Paxton  (STEM curriculum for young children)
Davis Transportation (vans, busses)
Shorefront Legacy Center