Thank you for writing back. You noted, “Part of what is so troubling is how easy it is to live like this - unless one makes the effort to go into other communities. And isn’t that sad? Because then that means it’s still about privilege - who has the privilege to enter the communities of “other” people at will?”

This raises two critical issues. The first, to me, is WHY our country is segregated. I believe that it is not by chance, but rather because many powerful people believe (consciously or subconsciously) that it is in their best interest to have an unfair distribution of resources, and then to isolate other powerful people from the negative impacts of that unfair distribution.

A person is less likely to go after the mayor for the city’s high homicide rate if no she knows is murdered and she’s still safe in her own neighborhood.

The second issue is about how people who have privilege interact with those who don’t. To put it briefly, there is in these interactions a risk of replicating the power dynamics of larger society, in which the powerful in any number of ways demean and harm the powerless, even unintentionally. This is something I frequently worry about. But I do believe it is possible to build those connections with respect and care, and that it’s better to do so than to stay isolated.

Terri,

Thank you for your own post, which I read this morning. I found the connection to environmental justice fascinating, especially as you wrote:

“At least, we are if we believe in the interdependent web of existence, in the idea of our interconnected lives, and the idea that when we speak out for those who cannot, we also speak out for ourselves. That is also spiritual deepening for me—the move from ‘ego’ consciousness to ‘eco’ consciousness made real through envisioning and pursuing a more just world.”

I also was heartened by your efforts to bring your experience with youth of color and immigrant youth back to your congregation through the Green Sanctuary, and encourage other congregants to find “ways to connect.”

I worked in a program at one point that connected UU youth groups with urban youth for discussions about the public school system. Those individual discussions had some value, but I still wish there was a more sustainable model for building partnerships. Community action coalitions, like the one you mentioned, are probably one of the best ways to go. UU Urban Ministry is doing some great work too, with a different model.

Part of what is so troubling is how easy it is to live like this - unless one makes the effort to go into other communities. And isn’t that sad? Because then that means it’s still about privilege - who has the privilege to enter the communities of “other” people at will?

At the same time, I think working with kids at the after school program is a good example of breaking the barriers.

I’m trying to think of this in terms of not “what can I do?” because I don’t know that it’s possible for me, by myself, to integrate society! That might be a bit of a tall order. For this reason, I also appreciate your mention of policy changes on the political level. It takes me than good intentions to restructure society.