Part II: Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons....

Until the killing of black men, black mothers' sons
is as important as the killing of white men, white mothers' sons
we who believe in freedom cannot rest
~ Ella's Song by Sweet Honey in the Rock
I was incredibly moved watching the video of the Tennessee Valley UU Church's Rededication of their sanctuary a couple weeks ago - the video of Rev. Chris Bruice's words here brought me to tears. I am grateful to be a Unitarian Universalist and proud of the way TVUUC and the UUA has reacted with support and love through the grief. (left photo)



Reading this article about enforcement of Hartford's teen curfew this weekend, I found myself despairing that a Rededication of sacred space (and indeed, all land is sacred) is not possible for those who live in the North End of Hartford. (right photo) Reading the headline, I was glad for the curfew because I'm so angry and sad about the violence, but of course once I thought about it, I know that the curfew won't help end violence and will instead criminalize more black and brown youth.

For the lives of Greg McKendry & Linda Kraeger killed at TVUUC, Santos Guerra & Ezekiel Roberts killed in Hartford this month, and for Jim D. Adkisson & Rene Fernandez who've been arrested in these shootings -- we who believe in freedom cannot rest.

Until Hartford can be resanctified as TVUUC was, we who believe in freedom cannot rest.