As people of faith, we must bear witness to this moment. That means that we must name hard truths, but that we also must act. 

As the pain and grief of centuries of violence without justice find their expression, let us remember the Rev. Dr. King's words: “America must see that riots do not develop out of thin air. Certain conditions continue to exist in our society which must be condemned as vigorously as we condemn riots. But in the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?”

This week, we heard about Amy Cooper. And then George Floyd. And then Tony McDade...All of this just weeks after we heard about the murders of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. Weeks after a series of armed white militias confronted local police at state capitols across the country without consequence, without arrest--and without death. We also continue to reckon with hearing that over 103,000 human lives have been lost from the coronavirus pandemic--a virus which has had a disproportionate impact on the Black community. 

Do we hear that “Enough is Enough?” Do we hear the cries of resistance in this moment stating that each of us is worthy, and all of us have dignity?  

It is critical that we respond to this hearing with action. We must do more than say the names of those whose lives have been taken by racialized violence.  We must do more than name the systems of white supremacy and capitalism that wage violence against our Black siblings and take action towards building an abolitionist practice.

Pledge to support the uprising and commit to joining other UUs in working to combat the violence of militarism and the police state: Share this pledge widely with your networks. Speak about your convictions in support of Black liberation. Articulate your support of Black organizing, grounded in your Unitarian Universalist faith. Have conversations with your family, your social networks, and your neighbors. And sign up below to be connected with a network of UUs committing to learning, reflecting, and acting together.