Topic: Principle 2. Justice, Equity, and Compassion in human relations

“The Maravillas: Gangs, Aging, and Mattering in East Los Angeles,” by Dr. Randol Contreras

Dr. Randol Contreras spent close to a decade studying the legendary Maravilla gangs of East Los Angeles. Once celebrated in the gang world as rebels who defied the established inmate prison order, veterano Maravilla gang members now grapple with the consequences of leading violent lives. This talk sheds light on how these aging men struggle … Continue reading “The Maravillas: Gangs, Aging, and Mattering in East Los Angeles,” by Dr. Randol Contreras

“Asexuality and Inherent Worth,” by Wren Monsour

Service Video. Asexuality is a sexual identity, like being gay, for someone who has little to no sexual attraction to any gender. This sermon will discuss the history of asexuality and how UUs can support the asexuals in their lives.

“The Promise of All Lives Mattering,” by Amanda Udis-Kessler

Service Video What does it mean to matter? How do you know you matter?  Today’s reading takes a hard look at systematic racism and how it affects all of us. Colorblindness is often well-intentioned, an attempt to see everyone as a human being and therefore as the same, without paying too much attention to race and … Continue reading “The Promise of All Lives Mattering,” by Amanda Udis-Kessler

“DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals),” by Luis Nolasco

Service video Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, referred to as DACA, is a United States immigration policy that allows some individuals with an undocumented presence in the United States, after being brought to the country as children, to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for an employment authorization … Continue reading “DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals),” by Luis Nolasco

“LGBT Rights: We Will Not Go Back!,” by Rev. Dr. Michael Boblett

Service Video These are frightening times. What we are seeing and hearing – who could have foreseen it? There were warnings, but they went mostly unheard. So I have two messages that may seem contradictory. First: please do not be naïve. Second: please do not despair. Naïveté and despair have this in common: they prevent … Continue reading “LGBT Rights: We Will Not Go Back!,” by Rev. Dr. Michael Boblett