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New to GA and the UU World

Submitted by Fatema Haji-Taki on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 8:37am.

Having been a part of UUSC only since May 5, I am completely new to the UU world — so I was really excited to be apart of GA this year and learn more about our constituents. What really amazed me when I met a few of the older UUs is how long they have been involved in social-justice issues and how dedicated they remain, at a time when they could simply retire and enjoy life.

It made me question youth of my generation, and those even younger, who sometimes don't seem to care or are apathetic about building movements to change the world. Yes, Obama has been able to build a huge youth base, but when I met some of these older UUs, I realized how many of us lack a historic context that would allow us to evaluate our successes and failures as social-justice advocates. Many of those who lived through the U.S. Civil Rights Movement and worked to end the Vietnam War realize how long it took and how little ripples, over time, created waves of change. For young people who lack that context, it can be very frustrating to work on issues and see no immediate, concrete successes.

I think it is important to realize that change takes time and that all that we do is valuable. We should not discount small successes. I felt inspired by meeting some of our older UUs and am grateful for all the work they have done in the past and continue to do.

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Comments

I am an Arab-American who's

Submitted by Chris Barghout (not verified) on Tue, 07/15/2008 - 11:05am.
I am an Arab-American who's been around UUism for awhile and know how it has been in regards to human rights in the world, this kind of blog disturbs me. The UU and UUSC remain quiet about American and pro-American genocide throughout the middle east. Compare the drumbeat for Darfur on the UUSC website as compared with Iraq shall we. Americans in Iraq have killed exponentially more people and have created far more refugees then Sudan. Yet "Genocide" is only applicable to Sudanese. We support sanctions and a war in the form of a "no fly zone" over Sudan (GA from years ago) while our own troops need to be honored when conducting an illegal war in Iraq. UUSC board members and former UUA president Schultz argues (UUSC lecture 2007 GA, Portland) that Palestinian refugees need to give up their fundamental human rights so that peace can be made with Israel. Apartheid, walls and genocide are Ok against Arabs and UUA presidents and board members retain strong bonds with Israeli political action committees. Of course, President Bush as well as the UUSC need a few natives to give legitimacy to spreading democracy and social justice. Both Arab-Americans listed in the UUSC cost of war in Iraq videos have cultural and economic ties to Israel. Do some research and you will figure it out. Like the Republicans who find a Clarance Thomas or Alan Keyes to legitimize far right policies in regards to African Americans, UU's find Arab-Americans to self negate our basic human rights and call it "peace". Younger UU's should wake up and realize how power politics are played in the UUA and UUSC. They can perhaps create a UUSC or a UUA that is diverse and supports real human rights not just in word but in deed.
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Welcome, Fatema! I hope you

Submitted by Jo Paoletti (not verified) on Wed, 07/02/2008 - 2:29pm.
Welcome, Fatema! I hope you were able to attend Van Jones' Ware Lecture (if not, it's now online at uua.org). When he talked about the forty years of uphill fighting we have endured since 1968, I saw tears in the eyes of many of our older members. (I include myself -- I was 19 when Martin Luther King, Junior and Robert Kennedy were assassinated and the Democratic National Convention dissolved into chaos.) It's been 40 years in the wilderness, and I hope to reach the promised land!
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It's great that you attended

Submitted by charley (not verified) on Wed, 07/02/2008 - 1:15pm.
It's great that you attended GA so soon into your U-U experience. I did the same six years ago and it really made a difference in my commitment. I wish we could get more people to come to a GA. I know in my barely mid-size congregation there are few who appreciate what a national movement and agent for change we are and can be.
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