African Americans and other minorities are facing a crossroads in American history. Over the past four years, attacks on black, Indigenous, and people of color are rising, and public and private policies are turning back the clock on progress made since the civil rights movement. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic, a renewed focus on voting rights, and widespread protests of racist policing have shone a spotlight on the lack of fairness and equity in our communities. Even as joblessness and hunger grow, new voices are rising to push for expanded economic opportunities, housing, healthcare, and voting rights in communities of color.
An outgrowth of the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1955–56, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference was founded on a determination to fight the injustices of poverty and the principle that civil rights are essential to democracy. SCLC today is a non-sectarian, inter-faith advocacy organization that is committed to nonviolent action to achieve social, economic, and political justice. The nationwide organization is made up of chapters and affiliates with programs that affect the lives of all Americans: north, south, east and west. Local chapters work in their respective communities to implement national initiatives, such as voter registration, improvement of education, and direct action against any form of injustice or inequitable treatment.
Formal programs include Justice for Girls, which fights human trafficking; advocacy for the Voting Rights Act; support for the International Poor People’s Campaign; and political policy forums. SCLC stands as an advocate for those on the margins of society.
Generous Congregation
Our practice here at UUSM is to dedicate half of our non-pledge Sunday offerings to organizations doing work in the world that advances our Unitarian Universalist principles; the other 50% of the offering is used to support the life of our church.
UUSM’s Generous Congregation supports our church community. And together, we uplift the reach and impact of vital organizations doing work we could not do on our own. This month, half of our Sunday offerings will go to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Your support will help ensure economic justice and civil rights, and work to eradicate racism wherever it exists.
Please consider supporting the mission of our church, and the great work of SCLC. To give right now, text “$10 GCC” to 844-982-0209. (One-time-only credit card registration required.)
