Arizona and GA 2011

I was talking to someone today about the Arizona business resolution and what happened at GA 2010 surrounding it, and she mentioned that someone could propose a new business resolution about GA 2012 at GA 2011. If SD1070 law is repealed, or we no longer want to hold a justice GA around immigration, then we could be debating the issue again at GA in 2011.

I was reminded too about what one person said during the debate about the resolution, and that was that the business of the UUA, UU's, and GA IS social justice work. So, if we cancel all GA business, then we are in effect canceling social justice work. 

Arizona and immigration was not the only social justice work being done at GA 2010. We voted  FOR a Statement of Conscience on Peacemaking and FOR a Green Revoluntion in Religion business resolution. We debated revitalizing american democracy, ending world slavery, national economic reform, energy, peace, and justice. Workshops were offered on: a UU response to the crisis in Haiti, programming for LGBT youth, indigenous peoples' rights, human rights in Isreal/Palestine, congregation-based community organizing, anti-racism/anti-oppression, to name a few.

In 2012, if we suspend business as usual to the least amount required by the bylaws, then none of the issues above will be studied, debated, or worked on.

There was a lot of emotion and some fury around the Arizona business resolution that I believe got in the way of a real debate about GA 2012. Debate about the opposition to SD1070 was confused and at times interchangeable with debate about GA 2012, when they are clearly two distinct things. Not one person argued in favor of the law. The fervor to DO SOMETHING about SD1070 was high and since the resolution to hold a 'justice' GA in 2012 was the only thing on the table, that fervor translated into a pro vote for a 2012 'justice' GA around immigration. 

Did we really vote to suspend all other social justice work at GA in 2012? As a religious denomination, a body of political and spiritual influence, at GA in 2012, are we really going to say NO to working on gay rights, world slavery, global warming, anti-racism, and the many other issues of importance?

I still find this hard to believe.

Seriously, I think UU's are versatile enough to pat our heads while scratching our stomachs. Can't we oppose SD1070 AND stand on the side of love for LGBT equal rights AND work for a green revolution AND end slavery AND....

We are a large, diverse, inclusive religion with passion and compassion for many things. To the Board I would say: Please don't let a majority try to dictate the conscience of us all.  "The voice of the majority is no proof of justice." --Friedrich Schiller