Five Years After ‘Widening the Circle’ Report, UUs Continue Antiracism, Anti-oppression Work

At the 2020 Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly, the Commission on Institutional Change presented recommendations from Widening the Circle of Concern, its groundbreaking report on structural racism in Unitarian Universalism. Five years later, as the work of cultural transformation continues, UUA Special Assistant for Equity, Belonging, and Change Shige Sakurai shares their thoughts on what has been achieved and what lies ahead.

Q. What are some of the greatest accomplishments of these last five years?

I’m witnessing a deepening, palpable commitment from UU leaders to address racism and all forms of oppression within our own UU congregations, seminaries, and communities. That doesn’t mean we have “arrived” with all the solutions, but it means that seeking full liberation and flourishing is not an add-on—it’s at the heart of our radical love. We are all in this lifelong spiritual development together as a religious community.

The theological grounding to put Love at the Center, and to covenant to live into a set of Shared Values, is a profound accomplishment for the denomination in the growing clarity of our living tradition, naming who we are and how we support each other.

I would also point to Mosaic, an online hub for numerous new antiracism resources, including antiracism religious education curricula for all ages, newsletters, a curated resource library, regular live learning opportunities and conferences, and a certification program for congregations.

And we know that conflict will always be something we must navigate, so the UUA has also created the HOPE for Us conflict engagement and transformation team, which provides critical consulting to congregations that are working to restore trust.

Q. What are some key changes people might not be aware of?

The work for antiracism, anti-oppression, and multicultural flourishing is taking place all across our UU communities. For example:

• Meadville Lombard Theological School developed a Spiritual Direction Certificate, which broadens paths for UU spiritual leadership.
• The Liberal Religious Educators Association, Starr King School for the Ministry, and the UUA developed Threshold Conversations on futures of UU religious education, integrating antiracism into the conversation.
• The UU Ministers Association now has Continuing Education Standards that include learning to stop/prevent misconduct and to advance antiracism, anti-oppression, and multiculturalism.
• The new UU Cultivators Collaborative has nurtured innovators from underserved communities, seeking to center “BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, youth, young adults, families with young children with special needs, multilingual and immigrant communities, and more.”

Q. What’s in the future for Widening the Circle?

The future is us. While our needs will continue to evolve and emerge, and there is more work to do, I am proud to be part of a denomination that has made enduring commitments to antiracism, anti-oppression, and multicultural liberation.

Here are some ways you can take this work forward:

• Review the Widening the Circle Resource Guide and discuss with your congregation/community the ways you want to engage these resources.
• Subscribe to the Mosaic newsletter and get involved with Mosaic.

• Consider having your congregation/community go back and review the Study/Action Guide for Widening the Circle of Concern in light of current needs and advancements.