“We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.”

Paula Cole-Jones, Director of Racial and Social Justice of the Central East Regional Group of the UUA, realized in 2013 that something needs to change in our largely Euro-centric UU churches. Many of us feel good about living by our 7 UU principles, but there is a problem. In order to make real change in our society, we need to dismantle systemic racism. It is not enough to quietly disapprove of acts of racial oppression. We need to stand up and speak out against them.

To address this issue, Paula Cole-Jones and her colleague Bruce Pollack-Johnson, of the UU Church of the Restoration in Philadelphia, drafted the 8th Principle in 2013. A large team of anti-racist activists helped work on the document. Finally, Cole-Jones and Pollack-Johnson presented it to the UUA for adoption.

Historically, many UUs have been heavily involved in racial and social justice work. In 1997 the UUA committed to becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppression, multi-cultural institution. However, there was no particular path forward. Now the 8th Principle gives us a stepping-stone. Since the 8th Principle first appeared, it has been embraced by UU activist groups across the country. UU people of color, including Black Lives of UU (BLUU) and Diverse Revolutionary UU Ministries (DRUUMM) enthusiastically endorsed the 8th Principle, and expressed gratitude to finally be lifted up and supported in the struggle for justice and inclusion.