SOCIAL JUSTICE

 

UNITY.ORG statement on Social action: Click here to read the entire document.

UNITY AND RACE:   Click here for an in-depth exploration of Unity's self-examination of its history of race-relations.  "...an honest account of what happened, what is being done now, and the Unity commitment for the future."
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UNITY RESOLUTION ON DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Introduction: ​Unity Worldwide Ministries stands for anti-racism, i.e., we are opposed to racial hatred, racial violence, bias, systemic racism, and the oppression of people of color. We stand for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for people who are marginalized because of color. No individual or group should be made to live in fear or excluded from society. Recent events in the United States and the world remind us that violent repression, prejudices, injustices, and inequalities towards people of color are embedded in societies, from social structures to institutions to cultures. Unity chooses to be more aware and take positive action in dismantling systemic racism and the social structures that support injustice and prejudice, and we raise awareness throughout our membership, churches, and centers.
Click here to read the entire resolution.

​UNITY OF GAITHERSBURG RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF VOTING RIGHTS
In light of the current challenges to the enfranchisement of all Americans, the Unity of Gaithersburg Board of Trustees recently adopted this resolution.  Click here for a copy,  

The Smithsonian has an excellent presentation on antiracism.  Click here to go to the article. 

SOCIAL JUSTICE ITEMS IN THE NEWS

A citizen's guide to saving US democracy - CNNPolitics

An important article about racism and spirituality. Corinne Zupko,Ed.S   has written an open letter to the Course in Miracles Community about unexamined racism. It is an "invitation to open communication surrounding an issue that desperately needs our attention: the issue of racism in the world, and how it factors into the Course in Miracles community."  This article is relevant to all who are on the spiritual path.  It's truth is not limited to students of the Course.  Click here to read this important document 

The Washington Post reports that black residents now account for more than 8 in 10 D.C. coronavirus cases -   with white residents getting vaccinated at higher rates, advocates say covid-19 could become “a Black and Brown disease."   Click here for the article.
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Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Are On The Rise!  Here's How You Can Help. Click here. 

Montgomery County’s Faith Community Advisory Group  Stands With Our Asian American Pacific Islander Neighbors and Condemns Hate, Bias, and Violence.  Click here for more information.

Notice Regarding Voting

In May 2021, on behalf of Unity of Gaithersburg (UoG), our Board of Trustees issued a Resolution in Support of Voting Rights. This resolution, posted on the UoG website, affirms that inclusive voting rights are fundamental to democracy, recognizes voter suppression and its ties to racism as well as other ills, and affirms our support of the oversight of election administration. 

During a February 2022 meeting of the Montgomery County (MoCo) Board of Elections (BOE), the participants discussed a proposed review and purge of MoCo Voter Registration records.  While some BOE members at the meeting wanted to clear names from the list of those who had names in duplicate states, other participants expressed concern about the process for purging the list. A further examination of the list in question revealed the names appearing in duplicate states were students who attended college in a different state. They did not vote in both states. While updating the voter registration list is necessary, if not done properly, the purging process could result in the removal of legitimate county residents. Based on historical precedent, the proposed review and purge could have a disparate and erroneous impact on residents of MoCo. In addition, some meeting participants raised doubts about the legitimacy of the 2020 election and called for an audit, even though the bipartisan BOE had certified that election. Please go to
 https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/03/10/letter-does-mocos-gop-really-want-to-review-election-issues-in-a-bipartisan-manner/ for more information.

A video recording of the February 28, 2022 BOE meeting is available at
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzOhYFxVOfY.

As called for in the UoG Voting Rights Resolution support for oversight of election administration, you may wish to pay closer attention to the events surrounding the upcoming election. The attention of MoCo citizens will support conscientious adherence to federal law generally and specifically with respect to scrutinizing and purging the voter registration list. The public can observe Board of Elections meetings at
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/elections/index2.html.

You can sign up for additional information at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmWNJ5ceZRL_oDT30xfrLGqm6QR_a-xWtCA3pe4icINYgDOw/viewform.

Reimaging Public Safety Task Force

On February 4, the Montgomery County government released the report of its Reimagining Public Safety Task Force. The Task Force was established in August 2020 following the death of George Floyd and other incidents.  It is focused on the problem of racial injustice in Montgomery County. The report makes dozens of recommendations that include the elimination of School Resource Officers, changes to the routing of some 311/911 calls to include mental health or other non-police responders, changes to police training and culture, and many others.  Click here for a copy of the report. 

Creating a Racial Equity and Social Justice Policy

Montgomery County leaders have created and adopted a Racial Equity and Social Justice Policy. Click here for details on this groundbreaking work!

County Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice and Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee

Montgomery County created an Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) and appointed a Chief Equity Officer, Tiffany Ward. There is also a Montgomery County Racial Equity and Social Justice Advisory Committee (RESJAC). The committee meets once a month online, includes representatives from the public and county offices, and is very active. For example, at the February 2022 meeting, the committee agreed on public condemnation of a recent incident of hate speech and zoom bombing (meeting interruption); discussed how the county incorporated equity in COVID rent relief; publicly acknowledged county occupation of stolen tribal lands; and considered the possibility of reparations.

Here are links for the Office of RESJ and the RESJ Advisory Committee:

https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/ore
https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/boards/sites/RESJ/index.html

RESJAC meets on the third Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.  Contact Tiffany Ward, Chief Equity Officer, if interested in observing their meetings at Tiffany.Ward@montgomerycountymd.gov

Racial Impact Statements

The MD Legislature becomes the fourth state legislature to require “Racial Impact Statements” for legislative analysis on all future pieces of proposed legislation. Click here to read the recap. 

Race In America

Washington Post Live:  An archive of the discussion, Race in America: Dismantling Structural Racism with Opal Tometi.  Click here to go to the web page.

Advancing Racial Equity

Click here for the text of President Biden’s Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government.