Viewing and Discussion Presented by UUCP Racial Justice Ministry
Tuesday, May 17 at 7:00 pm on Zoom

Meeting ID: 872 0725 8924    Passcode: 744218 or click the link below:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87207258924?pwd=bmx3NWxqWWdtMUYvRGFuQzRkUXlSdz09

This film, “The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code,” was made in 2018 by Stephen T. Newcomb (Shawnee, Lenape) and others. The Doctrine of Discovery is both a theological and a legal prescript that has sustained white supremacy and colonization globally for centuries. Theologically, it goes back to the late 1400s, when popes issued “bulls” that gave Europeans the right to conquer and occupy lands of non-Christians without regard for any rights they may have. Legally, the Doctrine continues to sustain court decisions in the United States, right up through the 21st century, denying indigenous people the rights to land and to many aspects of their culture.

In 2012, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) was the second US denomination to renounce the doctrine of discovery, after The Episcopal Church did so. Now, perhaps 15 or 20 denominations have followed. But this is still a very little known aspect of white American culture that we should learn about.

The film is about an hour long. We will view it together via Zoom on May 17 starting at 7:00 pm. Immediately following is a discussion of the film and its implications. Our facilitator will be UU Reverend Petra Thombs, the minister at the UU Congregation of Central Nassau in Garden City, NY. She also serves as the Community Minister for the Ramapough Munsee Lenape Cummunity Center in Mahwah, NJ. She has been active in spreading the word about the Doctrine of Discovery. Rev. Thombs is of African American, Cherokee, and Caribe Indian heritage.  She encourages all of us to understand the need to recognize indigenous peoples’ rights and to preserve Mother Earth.

Please try to attend this important congregational event.

The Indigenous People’s Concern project team is planning a series of activities in 2022-23. Prior to COVID, our congregation had a common read of An Indigenous People’s History of the United States. The film picks up this thread and leads to ways to increase our understanding and deepen our relationships with Indigenous People in New Jersey. June 11: Attend Nanticoke Pow Wow; July: Visit Nanticoke Trading Post in Bridgeton; August: Visit NJ State Museum’s exhibition regarding Indigenous People; September: All ages workshop; October 9: Special service and dedication of Land and People Acknowledgements; 2023: Resolution regarding our intent and commitment to Indigenous People.