Restorative Justice Action of Immediate Witness: July 22, 2022
How Will You “Live Into” Restorative Justice?
One of the Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW) passed at the 2022 Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly was “Anti-Racism and Reparations via Restorative Justice.” This AIW statement admits the inhuman sufferings of Americans of African descent through forced labor and egregious punishments, and recognizes that the reality of this violence has not been taught, discussed or acknowledged which has given rise to the belief in and practice of white supremacy. In alignment with our UU faith values, this AIW, adopted by a resounding majority, resolved that the member congregations of the UUA engage in the principles of restorative justice and truthful American history, to fully understand and reject white supremacy.
Here are some of the many ways to live into this AIW and our UU values:
EMBRACE & ENGAGE – Create Study/Action Groups in our UU congregations, which engage in Restorative Justice. Embrace the principles of restorative justice and partner with marginalized communities to seek societal repair/reparations as an essential underlying aspect of our social justice work.
PROMOTE & SUPPORT cultural and gender identity in leadership and learning environments.
SPEAK UP & OUT – Condemn current misconceptions of true history as political and religiously motivated censorship.
JOIN & ORGANIZE – Be a part of national and local initiatives and organizations fighting for Reparations via Restorative Justice.
UCE continues to work toward restorative justice. Learn more about social justice work opportunities at UCE and beyond:
Join the UCE Racial Equity Action Leadership (REAL) Team, UU Advocacy Network of Illinois, and UU Prison Ministry of Illinois
Participate in Reparations, Reconciliation and Repair: Evanston’s Interfaith Reparations Effort