Jan
18
Letter from Rev. Manish Mishra to UUA Leadership regarding General Assembly 2008 Ft. Lauderdale Security issues:
Dear Bill, Gini, Tom, Beth, and Annette:
The DRUUMM Steering Committee met the evening of 1/16 and we discussed the hub-bub around Ft. Lauderdale. We have taken a Steering Committee position.
We realize that contractual decisions were made quite some time ago that constrain the Association in some financially very difficult ways regarding Ft. Lauderdale. It’s equally true that it is very unfortunate that we are in an access-related situation like this at all, one which will likely impact members of our DRUUMM community.
But, the reality is what the reality is, there is only so much that can be done at this late stage. We are aware that the UUA Board, the Administration, and the GA Planning Committee have been working to address as many issues as possible before GA, in an attempt to ensure maximum, as hassle-free as possible, access. We expect those efforts to be imperfect, that problems will occur.
We will work with you to handle this as best as we all can, and hope/trust that this type of accessibility problem won’t be re-created.
In recognition of the fact that DRUUMM community representatives are meeting with UUA Board reps on 1/18, later today, I’ll note that our SC decided not to raise this topic from our side. We realize that the most that can be done is being done. We have other collaborative agenda items that our reps have been asked to raise, which you’ll be in dialogue over shortly.
Best wishes for productive Board-DRUUMM meetings, writing in my official capacity, Rev. Manish Mishra, President, DRUUMM.
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2 Responses to “DRUUMM and Ft. Lauderdale Security”
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Dear DRUUMM and UU People of color Organization,
I am Celia Sharp, a member of the Buxmont UUF and a person of color. I read the Letter Concerning 2008 General Assembly following January 2008 Meeting of Board of Trustees
January 28, 2008, to Unitarian Universalist congregations and their members and
From: Beth McGregor, Chair, General Assembly (GA) Planning Committee; Gini Courter, Moderator, Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA); William G. Sinkford, President, UUA.
Immediately after reading it, I click on your web site with the illusion of finding a UU group with “Diverse Revolutionary”UUMM approach to the issue but my heart was broken! I realized that what you claim “DR” was: “We will work with you to handle this as best as we all can, and hope/trust that this type of accessibility problem won’t be re-created”. I have to look in the dictionary for the definition of the word and “revolutionary” is a person who revolutionized “”meaning to change completely as if by a revolution” who takes part in a revolution””. In my humble opinion, the DRUUMM needs to find its proper name.
“The Board’s decision to reaffirm the Fort Lauderdale site came after serious consideration of the factors involved with the site and an extensive investigation of alternatives by the General Assembly Office. The Board of Trustees ratified the GA Planning Committee’s (GAPC) conclusion that there were no alternative venues in the area large enough to accommodate major events such as the Service of the Living Tradition or our Sunday worship service.”
To the Board’s conclusion that there is not alternative venues in the area large enough
To accommodate the SOLT, on our Sunday worship service; are they telling me that
We cannot find a place in Fourt Lauderdale, FL to have our TSWS?
When a million people decide to have a demonstration, they congregate on the streets
How many UU will be in the city perhaps no even 10K? Are you telling me that UU do not have the lawyers and capable organizers to stand up for what we believe and decide that we do not need a building, a sanctuary, a convention center, to continue with our AG tradition and by-laws?. “WE ALL GET IN WITH ID ISSUE BY OUR DENOMINATION OR NONE OF US WILL ENTER THE FLCC”. Let us take the city!!
I am tired!!!!!! We need revolutionary alternatives.
WAKE UP DRUUMM PEOPLE!!!!
COME UP WITH PROGRESIVE IDEAS!
I hope that I am not the only one screening for DEMOCRACY, EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL, and ACTION NOW at the UUA!!
In Peace and harmony,
Celia.
(note from Admin: Celia’s email has been forwarded to the DRUUMM Steering Committee with the hope that they will respond.)
From what my understanding is, over the extensive pre-site meeting I attended (I am a first year worship coordinator) and as a POC myself, it is my understanding that Fort Lauderdale in itself may be a racist tendacied town, however the convention center seems to be top of the line in regards of inclusivity. The issue seems to be entering the port, however, if you JUST HAVE AN ID, a Student one with a picture, or a government issued one by your state, YOU CAN GET IN. I believe that is extremely reasonable, where I have been used to show about three different forms of identification such as a passport, birth certificate, ID, proof of insurance, etc.
I also would like to disagree that you can just take a city by storm. It’s a very kamikaze idea, where smart protestors (for example, Martin Luther King Jr. and his marches), were organized and planned. It’s stupid to go ahead and protest within an ARMY PORT. I have been in ROTC, and on occassion had to end supposed rioting against Physical Training. A peaceful approach is best sought, and also, to realize that your actions affect many others. You will be able to leave after the event, or any rioting in Fort Lauderdale. You are gladly available to do anything you wish OUTSIDE the port itself. Go ahead, but you’d have to tangle with the actual police force, that is racist, rather than the simply convention staff. But realise that perhaps just doing a simple “hit and run” technique isn’t beneficial for the community itself.
If you plan on doing a “riot”, I’d rather reccomend a sit-in, a silent treatment to the police with signs. I would even participate if I could, since I am a big social activist and believe action speaks louder than words.
Think on that, Celia.