Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU) is having a significant influence on the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, as it attempts to bring together the politics of the broader movement with the religious ideals of the denomination. Started in 2015, BLUU has transitioned from a denominational caucus meant to strengthen African-American representation in Unitarianism to a “spiritual resource and home for BLM activists who are wary of traditional black churches.” Rather than just passing out flyers at BLM events as many churches may do, BLUU takes part in and funds these events, putting a priority on forming solidarity with other social justice organizations. While seeing itself as in line with its Unitarian past as a center for abolitionism and advocacy for civil rights and integration, the new organization now seeks to be “a community of black religious liberals with the funding to control their own organization and the drive to improve the lives of those on the margins, especially black women and LGBTQ individuals.” Although the ultimate goal is for BLUU to become the spiritual home of activists in the BLM movement, organizers have noticed that many BLM participants are already unofficial “adjacent” members of the group, using its spaces and coming to its events. Like the wider movement, there is often an acceptance of secularism and non-Judeo-Christian faith, such as the African rituals and spiritualizes of many black activists in BLUU. The group’s leadership matches the cultural progressivism in BLM, with the majority being “queer-identifying and transgender.” (Source: Free Inquiry, January/February)
Source: https://www.uua.org/giving/areas-support/funds/promise-and-practice/history-black-lives-uu
