We are a group dedicated to raising consciousness about the nature of racism. We also seek to make multi-racial unity visible to the members and friends of First U. We do this through a variety of educational and cultural activities.

The Racial Justice Task Force of the Social Justice Council has three interconnected goals:

• To educate our congregation and the public at large, through forums, dramatizations, sermons, classes, etc., about the ways that (the concept of) “race” and (the behaviors of) “racism” affect our lives, both in this country and around the world, in the social, economic, political, and especially the criminal justice, realms of our lives;
• To carry out actions opposing racism in all its forms, including letter writing and bearing witness projects, that demonstrate the principles of multiracial unity and our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of all people as the only means of bringing racism to an end;
• To invite people to join us, both in and out of the church, in building the work of the Task Force to eliminate all forms of racial intolerance and to increase historical awareness of the ongoing struggle against racism.

In previous years, the Task Force has sponsored:

• The Emancipation Proclamation Pageant
• Multiracial Unity Award
• Multiracial outings
• Multiracial Unity films
• Demonstrations, letters and other actions to protest racism

Racial Justice Task Force: 2024 – 2025

July – August

Members attended Screening Acts weekly series of six films created by black film makers from 1923 to present day, presented as part of Logan Center Digital Arts Program. Each film was followed by a catered lunch, and audience members participated in moderated discussion about how race was portrayed and perceived, first in each film and then from the point of view of the present-day audience.

This fall, the Task Force will be visiting the Chicago Heritage Hip Hop Museum and will be encouraging church members to join us in investigating this part of our city’s history. For a preview, check out the Museum’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/chicagohiphopheritagemuseum/