The 2017-18 UUA Common Read
A joint project of the Committee for Antiracism, Anti-oppression, and Multiculturalism of the UUMA and Skinner House Books, Centering is the first book to center the stories, analysis, and insight of Unitarian Universalists of color offering their religious leadership.
In October 2015, a group of distinguished UU religious professionals of color gathered together in Chicago to embark on a radical project. The conference was sponsored by the UUMA’s Committee on Antiracism, Anti-oppression, and Multiculturalism. It started with the premise that discussions of race in Unitarian Universalism have too often presupposed a White audience and prioritized the needs, education, and emotions of the White majority. The goal was to reframe Unitarian Universalist anti-oppression work by putting the voices, experiences and learnings of people of color at the center of the conversation. The resulting book, Centering, captures the papers that were presented and the rich dialogue from the conference to share personal stories and address the challenges that religious leaders of color face in exercising power, agency, and authority in a culturally White denomination. Centering explores how racial identity is made both visible and invisible in Unitarian Universalist ministries.
For the free online study guide click here.
Introduction Rev. Mitra Rahnema Othering and Belonging Rev. Darrick Jackson Response Rev. Lilia Cuervo Hiding from the Beloved, Hiding from Authenticity Rev. Summer Albayati Response Rev. Dr. William Sinkford The Preacher’s Art Rev. Lauren Smith Response Rev. Dr. Susan Newman Moore Representing Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti Response Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt The Religious Educator of Color Rev. Natalie Fenimore and Aisha Hauser, MSW Response Rev. Sofia Betancourt How Dare You? Mi Likkle, but Mi Tallawah! Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson Response Rev. Leslie Takahashi Faithful Stubbornness Rev. Peter Morales Response Rev. Marisol Caballero Trust Thyself Rev. Walter LeFlore Response Rev. Dr. Kristen Harper Call Me Reverend Sweetie Rev. Cheryl Walker Response Rev. Christina Shu Discussion Cues Rev. Mitra Rahnema
Authors: Nancy Palmer Jones, Karin Lin
Price: $22.00
Author: Commission On Institutional Change
Price: $16.00
Author: Kristen L. Harper
Price: $14.00
Editors: Takiyah Nur Amin, Mykal Slack
Price: $8.00
Editors: Christopher Cameron, Phillip Luke Sinitiere
Price: $34.95
Author: Qiyamah Rahman
Price: $18.00
Editor: Erin Walter