Alternatives to Guilt Based Anti-racism
Anne Schneider, Phd. Retired political science professor and Dean, College of Public Programs , Arizona State University.
Last Update: July 29, 2023 4:15 pm (ET)
Some UUs (especially those active in the save the 7 principles movement and the fifth principle project) have been called “racist” because of their opposition to the current anti-racist strategy (Anti-Racist, Anti Oppression, Multiculturalism, ARAOMC) being promulgated by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). That accusation of racism is false. We are adamantly opposed to oppression in all its forms wherever it is found. What we oppose is the guilt-based, shame and blame strategy being used by the UUA because it is antithetical to UU values and because decades of social and behavioral research show that the principles upon which it is based do not work. We advocate for an “asset based” anti-racist strategy (ABAR) because it draws from UU values and it uses principles that have worked in MLK’s anti-racist work and William Barber’s poor people’s campaign. Research shows that its principles usually work well in education, public health, and community development.
Where are the 7 Principles? 