Dear friends,
So many of us are feeling anxious and vulnerable in the aftermath of the national election. I feel it, too, as I read news articles about promised attacks on the values which we hold most dear. In my role, I consider what risks and threats are present for UUs across the country. Right-wing actors are now emboldened, and political leaders have threatened retribution against those who oppose their agendas.
I want to say it is entirely rational to feel fear for this reality, not just for our neighbors and allies, but for ourselves, our congregation members and communities. It can be easy to get lost in the kind of fear that makes us feel stuck, like we don’t know where to begin. Or like we must fight everything, everywhere, all at once. Instead, we can channel the heightened awareness we’re experiencing into things that help us prepare for the long haul. For many of us and our ancestors, oppression and violence are not new. We have inherited wisdom and frameworks, in our own tradition and from our partners, for ways to make ourselves safer.
We are moving away from the binary of “always safe/never safe”, away from the pendulum swing of inattention followed by overreaction, to become more attuned to an ongoing sensibility of risk around us. This sensibility requires strategy, communication, savviness and courage. To be frank and honest about risk is sobering — it can also release some of the spinning anxiety to clearly define your concerns and what you can do about them.
Physical Safety
If we succeed in publicly pushing back on fascism and repression in the years ahead, the risks to ourselves and those we love are likely to grow. When thinking through risks to physical safety, focus on the most likely points for vulnerability. Carefully consider when and where you are asking people to gather publicly, especially for vigils and protests – these can be easily targeted.
Think about bringing on extra security for public events might attract outside attention from people with malicious intent. If people from communities most at risk of targeted violence are participating, ask how you will balance security needs with the best practice of making space for their leadership. Have a plan for event safety and interactions with law enforcement.
And as always, if your congregation experiences a threat or hate-based incident, please reach out immediately to your primary contact in your UUA Region. The UUA is tracking these across the country, and your primary staff contact can connect you with the right resources for support. |
Virtual Safety
Because our largest presence can be online, we also encourage congregations to take digital security very seriously. Pay attention to the virtual exposure you and your leaders have. How much information is easily available online that could be used to imitate your leaders to gain access, or to manipulate or harass you? This might include member and leadership contact info on your website, schedules and locations of programs that might attract attention from people who have bad intentions, etc. The UUA’s LeaderLab offers also good guidance on Congregational Data & Computer Security to protect your systems from hacking and malware.
Phishing and other scams are taking advantage of the holiday season when we are busy and stressed. Now is a good time to remind staff and congregation members of your policies around giving and what the approved channels are for doing so.
With an increase in phishing and impersonation of our religious professionals, the UUA is taking action to protect individually identifiable information found on UUA.org. This includes moving the MyUUA Directory of congregational staff and credentialed religious leaders behind user authentication prompts, removing UUA staff names and using generic emails for contacting staff groups, and reducing the amount of information available on the Find a Congregation search. For questions and help accessing the MyUUA Directory, email dataservices@uua.org.
Moving Forward
This email offers a starting point for a new ongoing sensibility about security to help keep our communities safe, balancing this with our values-based commitments to be open and welcoming as possible. Remember, the goal of this kind of preparation is to be ready for what comes. We are strengthening ourselves mentally, spiritually, and organizationally for the struggle ahead. We must be clear about the risks we don’t need to take, so we can take the risks that are essential for living our values in public.
Take care, friends, and keep in close touch. And know that you are never alone; your UUA is here to support you in all the days ahead.
Warmly,
Carey McDonald UUA Executive Vice President |
