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Journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.
In adopting the 8th principle, we have pledged that we are committed to be anti-racist. This pledge calls us not only to say the right words but to do new things in new ways including the following:
Center and prioritize non-dominant voices
Recognize and suspend privilege: those most advantaged (white people, males, financially advantaged, etc.) are accustomed to having the “final say” or making their mark and we recognize this may be at the expense of others
Acknowledge that comfort is a privilege: we are asked to willingly move to the edge of our comfort zone, and accept that there are needs more important than being comfortable with every word, and that comfort sometimes means protecting a status quo that is harming others.
As best as we are able to, we agree to prepare for, attend, and participate in meetings, and to be compassionate and understanding to ourselves and others when our circumstances will get in the way.
History of the 8th Principle at UU St. Pete
The 8th principle was initially written in 2013, and in 2017 became a grassroots movement within Unitarian Universalism. Approximately 290 individual UU congregations have adopted the 8th principle.
The UU St. Pete Racial Justice Team and 8th Principle Task force began discussing the 8th Principle in November of 2022. The teams decided to bring the 8th Principle to UU St. Pete through a congregational vote. The process began with a survey in January 2023, which showed that a majority of members were interested in exploring the 8th Principle. Congregation wide discussions and talkbacks were held. In April 2023, the Board of Trustees voted unanimously to support the adoption of the 8th Principle. And in May 2023 during the annual meeting, the UU St. Pete congregational vote to adopt the 8th principle passed with a large majority.
The Racial Justice Team continues to promote the 8th Principle through our work, including the Living the Pledge to End Racism Workshop which is typically held twice a year. All members and friends are invited, and we strongly encourage every church leader to attend one of the workshops and sign the Pledge to End Racism.
During the 2024 UUA General Assembly, part of the 8th Principle was incorporated into the UU Values and Covenant. Specifically in the Justice Value which states: “We work to be diverse multicultural Beloved Communities where all thrive. We covenant to dismantle racism and all forms of systemic oppression.”
The 8th Principle was really just the beginning of action. Many people of color have been attracted by the values and potential of UUism, but their souls have been repeatedly wounded by its whiteness. We strive to make our actions match our values, and to be a UU movement that feeds them. That would be spiritual wholeness.
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