The Social Justice Field Trip at PSW District Assembly
For years, the UU Church of Long Beach has partnered with the East Yards Communities for Environmental Justice as it gives a voice to the communities surrounding the Port of Long Beach that suffer the impacts of harbor and port pollution.
How does UU Long Beach do it? And how can your UU congregation better partner with grassroots organizations in your community to advance your UU values?
The UU College of Social Justice will lead a field trip during the Pacific Southwest District Assembly and present a program entitled “How Your Congregation Can Partner with Local Grassroots Organizations.”
The district assembly will take place April 26-28 at the UU Church of Long Beach. Get information about the DA and the social justice field trip.
As we work to end oppression in the world, the last thing we want to do is re-create it — that’s why eye-to-eye partnerships are so important.We want to make sure that we come into partnership treating everyone with the dignity and respect that we all deserve.
This workshop will offer concrete acts of solidarity, while honoring the vision, expertise and self-determination of people on the ground.
Those who participate in the field trip will spend part of the afternoon helping the East Yard Communities conduct its annual Toxic Tour of its community, raising conscious of the impact that harbor traffic – ships, trucks and trains – has on the neighborhoods of Long Beach and East and Southeast Los Angeles.
They will also learn some of the ups and downs of the UU Church of Long Beach’s partnership with the East Yards Communities and offer you some insight into how to effectively partner with grassroots organizations in your church’s community.
“This would be the right starting point for any congregation that wants to see its social justice values demonstrated in their community,” said Heather Vickery, a senior associate with the UU College of Social Justice.
by Michael Hart, PSW Board President