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Jun

26

Ahead of the Last Thing

Not-so-fast forward to Atlanta, Georgia, where I’ve come to participate in the 1st United States Social Forum (USSF). General Assembly flew by after Day 2, and I didn’t find myself with enough alone time to write entries I’d consider post-worthy. But what a shame … there were several experiences I really wanted to share with you all, but I’m a very, very slow writer.

I do want to make note of a few highlights, however:

The Bloggers’ Dinner, where I met a bunch of good people (Big hello to Mrs. Uupdater, 7th Day, and Finding My UU Soul!), and had a very enjoyable conversation with Philocrites about writing and drama. Also highly memorable were the drinks afterward at Apotheke (a low-key bar decorated mostly in white that looked like it belonged from 2001: A Space Odyssey), with Peacebang, ChaliceChick, Linguist Friend, Rev Ricky and Making Chutney (plus Philocrites, who joined us later). Our server, Caleb, was a real pleasure, too.
I almost missed the Sankofa Women’s gathering because I was so tired and wanted simply to sleep. Thank heavens I forced myself to go. This is an annual gathering of women of color at GA, especially those who are seminarians and ministers. This is an occasion when we come together to tell and learn the stories of sisters in the faith who have broken through and are breaking down barriers, and when we pray for those among us who are needing strength as they begin their ministries. I loved the prayers offered by the women there … for the second year in a row, this was the most spiritual event at GA for me. At one point, while standing in the circle looking at my sisters’ faces, I felt a real ache in my heart - I wanted each of the seminarians and ministers there to have a congregation that they could do this with. I just prayed and prayed that they would all be blessed with congregations that would appreciate them and help them fulfill their life’s mission.
Over 65 people attended the DRUUMM Annual Meeting - and it was great! Dr. Denise Hall led us in several songs; an award was presented to Dr. Jim Brown, an incredible elder in the community who has had a profound influence on the lives of many UU ministers of color; and someone (hmm; wonder who?) even succeeded in bringing fried chicken into the event! Not to reinforce stereotypes or anything - I mean, who doesn’t like fried chicken? (note: I actually didn’t eat any that night.)
I was very impressed by the Jorge Zeballos workshops I attended. I’d like to see about getting him out to Portland again for another event. His presentations on the understandings of race and ethnic identity within the Latino/a communities were fantastic. When he explained to his mostly-white audiences that only 7% of the African slaves were sent to the US (37% were sent to Brazil; the rest to all the rest of Central and S. America and the Caribbean), the shock they expressed confirmed for me the need for more education on race as it relates to cultures not seen as “black.” As a person of Cuban descent, it disturbs me when people talk about hispanic people as if they have no race - especially if those people are hispanic themselves! In Cuba, I heard fair and brown skinned people say “here, every one is equal - we are all Cuban.” But also in Cuba, I met a dark skinned, “black” Cuban man who saw things very differently. Colonization still lives with us today, and like the devil, I think it is most insidious where it is not believed to exist.
The Anti Oppression Game Show I coordinated for the Young Adult Caucus went very well. There was good participation - especially considering that none of the anti oppression programming for young adult caucus was listed in the GA schedule - and I have to say … I have never seen AR/AO programming where, as people poked their heads in the room, those already in attendance enthusiastically beckoned them to join in. It was an experiment, and I’m pleased with the response to it. Most importantly, there are some clear steps I can take to improve and develop the format further. I look forward to sharing it with the rest of the Groundwork collective for use by other members in future workshops.
I was confused about the location of the memorial service for the late Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, but it’s probably a good thing I didn’t show up any earlier than I did. It turned out to be hugely emotional for me, and I embarrassed myself by crying uncontrollably, at which point, Elandria hugged and sang for me, which made me feel comforted, but sheepish, too.
And lastly, the musical workshop by the incomparable Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell, of Sweet Honey in the Rock. This DRUUMM-sponsored event was a marvelous ending to a hectic GA. Dr. Barnwell sang with us for 90 minutes - we sang songs about a guy named Jeremiah, and building walls, and chariots swinging down and continuing on. What a joyous event - I would love it if we sang like this even just once a month at my church! And there we were - over 350 people of different races and sizes, genders and ages - I haven’t seen that many UUs exuberant and delighted to that degree since Dr. Barnwell visited my large congregation to lead an all music worship for Mother’s Day several years ago. While she is indeed a fantastic lady, I don’t think she has to be with us in order for us to have experiences like that. I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

And that is that - my GA experience wrapped up in a nutshell. There’s plenty more - especially related to personal interactions with folk, but there just isn’t time right now.

Comments

3 Responses to “Ahead of the Last Thing”

Scott Wells (Boy in the Bands) on June 27th, 2007 5:15 am

For a third of a second, I was confused about the fried chicken stereotype, thinking “Wait, she’s not a Southerner?”

I love fried chicken, but Hubby (South Carolina native) and I (Georgia native) more much more likely to have deep fried tofu dishes these days.
Philocrites on June 27th, 2007 9:13 am

Talking with you at dinner was a real highlight for me, too. It may have been the only extended conversation I had with anyone about anything other than GA all week. What a treat!
every 7th day on June 28th, 2007 6:41 am

Great to see you in person and hear from you. I popped you upon my site, too. And I also love the new look.

Happy travels!