A Pocketful of Principles
Religious Education at Home for preschoolers, kids, youth and adults
8th Principle
Build the Beloved Community, free of racism and oppression.
Build the Beloved Community, free of racism and oppression.
Chalice Lighting Words
We kindle this flame, this tiny flame full of potential. Working together, we will build a better way: a world free of racism and oppression, a world of love and liberation. |
8th Principle Playlist
Listen to our 8th Principle playlist here or build your own collection of songs that celebrate collective liberation. Put it on as you're starting your day, winding down at night, or anytime you want to fill your home with the energy of Beloved Community. |
Click the button to open the K-7th grade lesson that follows up on this Sunday morning's class
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"Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote 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."
Learn more about our 8th Principle from the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism Organizing Collective on their website.
Watch the video, Something Happened in Our Town
Review the resources for parents and caregivers here
Questions for reflection, discussion or journaling:
For kids and families
Review the resources for parents and caregivers here
Questions for reflection, discussion or journaling:
For kids and families
- How are these families like our family?
- How is their school like your school?
- How is their town like our town?
- Have you heard of similar events happening in our town?
- Where did you notice something good happening in this story?
- Is there anything you would like to say to one of the characters in this story?
- Do you have any questions about this story?
- How do you feel about our conversation today?
- How do you think we do in our family, in terms of talking about what's going on in our town and across our country? Are there things we don't talk about that we'd like to open up about?
- In a similar vein, how well do we support one another when we are close to acts of violence against BIPOC people? When we share the racial identity of the people/community being harmed, how do we care for ourselves to ensure our survival and support our well-being? When we are not directly targeted, how do we help one another take action to care for our neighbors who are? How do we follow the lead of BIPOC leaders to change the structures and systems that perpetuate and normalize this violence?
Watch the video above, with Jonathan Lykes, BYP100 national board member and Black Joy Experience artistic director and co-producer
Suggested Activity: Chants and Songs for Liberation
Watch this video of Jonathan Lykes, BYP100 national board member and Black Joy Experience artistic director and co-producer, to learn some amazing freedom songs and liberation chants. Then teach them to your family and friends so you can lift your voices together!
Suggested Activity: Chants and Songs for Liberation
Watch this video of Jonathan Lykes, BYP100 national board member and Black Joy Experience artistic director and co-producer, to learn some amazing freedom songs and liberation chants. Then teach them to your family and friends so you can lift your voices together!
Watch the video above, Talking Gets Us There, and read stories, below
8th Principle Stories for all ages
There are many children's books that celebrate all skin colors, teach about racism and oppression, and point the way to self-love, healing, justice, and collective liberation. Here are a few for families: Though these stories may sound as though they're just for little ones, their messages are relevant to people of all ages. For example, after watching The Day You Begin, consider:
8th Principle Stories for all ages
There are many children's books that celebrate all skin colors, teach about racism and oppression, and point the way to self-love, healing, justice, and collective liberation. Here are a few for families: Though these stories may sound as though they're just for little ones, their messages are relevant to people of all ages. For example, after watching The Day You Begin, consider:
- When have you been in a room where no one else was quite like you? What was that like?
- When have you told your own story, even though it was possible that no one would understand?
- When has someone trusted you with their story, and allowed you to understand and know them more deeply?