The JUC Board would like to address concerns raised both by members and by our Golden neighbors regarding the Church’s support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.  Our electronic sign has recently been damaged with what appears to be a bullet hole. It is entirely possible this is a reaction to our message of support for BLM.

Many have struggled to grasp the meaning of the movement, as shouts in response have echoed “All lives matter” or “Blue lives matter,” expressions that have perverted the meaning of the movement and hijacked the conversation. Of course, every soul is of value, but not all people are marginalized. From the shackles of slavery to segregation reinforced by federal housing policy and generational poverty, the work of lifting up African-Americans is not finished.

As Unitarian Universalists, we cannot stay silent when our siblings face inequality in our justice system.  There is no correlation of race to violence, theft or drug abuse, and yet, the color of one’s skin has a substantial correlation to the likelihood of arrest and incarceration. An attack on some is an attack on all, and we will not be silent and accepting in the face of injustice. It is not unusual to find discomfort in this type of dialog, but we ask that you open your hearts and feed your mind on the topic. Now more than ever, minorities in our country need our voices to sing out that they are loved, and need our assurances that we will not tolerate their marginalization. The world we envision will not happen without our diligence and effort. We affirm and promote that Black Lives Matter.