Subject: RE: Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church — possible name change

After getting this request, I put some thought into how I feel about changing the name of the church. When I hear Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church or TJ, I honestly don’t think about the man Thomas Jefferson at all.  I have known the congregations for many years and simply associate the name with the great reputation that the congregation has.  The name evokes great memories and a warm sense of pride for what you all have done in the name of social justice and the search for truth.  I suppose that someone unfamiliar with the church may have a different impression.  I applaud your efforts to reach out to the community about this important topic and I know that you all will come to a good decision about it.  I hope this helps.

Tim Darst

Executive Director Emeritus

Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light, Inc.

1722 Bardstown Road

Louisville, Kentucky 40205

(502) 210-8920

www.kentuckyipl.org

 

 

 

Subject: Thomas Jefferson Unitarian possible name change

First, I want to express the gratitude I feel for your courage as a congregation.  I think that even the fact that you are considering this name change reflects heartfelt presence and listening.

Secondly, I offer my encouragement to move forward with what is a very large change.

We know that what we teach is authentically witnessed through our words and actions.  Boldly changing your congregation’s name says it clearly and publicly for everyone:  “We are a community that is inclusive.  We are committed to an effort to healing past wrongs and address current pain about the legacy of slavery and contemporary racism.  We are not afraid to be present in the struggle.”

As a fellow community organization and a justice collaborator, on behalf of DGCEC I offer my support during your transition.

Wishing you peace.  Giving thanks for all of you!

Anne Walter, Director

Drepung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion

North American Seat of Drepung Gomang Monastery

411 N. Hubbards Lane   Louisville, KY  40207

Center (502) 614-5616 / Mobile (502) 619-1652

www.DrepungGomangUSA.org

 

 

It is good and gratifying to learn that Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church is discerning whether to alter its historic and well-recognized name. The very weighing of the question speaks of your willingness to change, grow, risk, and serve, which is the very best of the Unitarian spirit.

Thomas Jefferson is a central figure in our country because of the many good gifts he contributed to the common good. He was also a deeply flawed man whose failure to extend his vision of liberty to the enslaved makes him the quintessential example of white privilege at the horrific expense of black lives.

By retiring Jefferson’s name your congregation would be saying both to yourselves and to the public that you renounce the white privilege personified in Thomas Jefferson, and that you are awakening to the joy of being sensitive to the concerns and feelings of others.

I commend you!

 

Joe Phelps

Co-Chair, EmpowerWest Louisville

former pastor, Highland Baptist Church

Justice Coordinator, Earth and Spirit Center

 

 

 

To the Congregation of Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church:

It says so much about the commitment of the congregation leadership to an evolving understanding of justice, and equity, for you to be considering a name change.

I believe that no matter who we are and where we sit, we need to be acknowledging the horrendous crimes of racial injustice perpetrated by this country since its founding and what we need to do to address the continuing legacy of injustice that marks every single part of this society today.

I support the name change, and in particular, I support a process that helps people understand why this is being considered, using this journey as one that supports people to grow their knowledge and identifies further avenues that go beyond “helping those people” to ones that expand justice, challenge institutional racism and grow the values and community we all need to thrive.

The group I work with, Louisville Showing Up for Racial Justice, believes that it is in the Mutual Interest of all of us, including those of us who are white, to work for a world in which we are all valued, all have a place to live, enough food, healthcare, and a safe, clean planet.  This is not, as Anne Braden used to say, something we do for others, but need to get engaged in as if our lives depended on it, for in truth it does.

Please count on me to support you in any way that is needed,

Carla Wallace, Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ)

 

 

 

 

COMMENTS REGARDING THE DISCUSSION FOR NAME CHANGE AT TJUC

By Sam Watkins, Jr., former President & CEO of Louisville Central Community Centers, Inc.

 

The burden of leadership can be quite challenging and requires thoughtful deliberation with the constant weight of trying to measure the ultimate impact of decision-making and the actions that follow.

 

Clearly, Mr. Thomas Jefferson was a very talented and influential figure at a critical time in our nation’s history.  As much as he is a noted reader, writer and world traveler who eventually became President of the United States in the early formation of our republic, he has ultimately become viewed by many as a badly flawed human being who failed as a moral and executive leader.

 

His leadership role in creating the Declaration of Independence where it was morally declared that “all men are created equal” was in stark contrast to his private life as a slave owner before and after he became president of the United States – and until the day he died.   Sadly, having owned hundreds of slaves for many years, he was unable to confront the moral degradation of owning human beings – even when he was the leader of our nation.

 

Certainly, Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church is far different today than when it was founded.  As Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church seeks to strengthen and advance its brand of tackling racial disparity in social and economic opportunities, doing it without confronting the destructive legacy of Mr. Jefferson and his ownership of blacks would be hypocritical and likely seen as not serious about the complex issue of racial disparity and equity in our society.

 

More importantly, it would be morally bankrupt for a faith community to honor a slave-owner and, at the same time, a spiritual movement that recognizes and advocates for practices that support the belief that “all men are created equally” in the eyes of God.

 

 

 

Ward Wilson

Subject: Re: Thomas Jefferson Unitarian Church — Possible Name Change

Date: January 30, 2020

I agree with the plan to change the name. I was at first much like you – do we (I am a former member of TJ) need to do this now?

But I am persuaded by your excellent and detailed statement. I know it must be hard to change something so integral as the name, but it is certainly the right thing to do for a church that wants to grow and remain relevant. TJ (it’s going to be hard to stop using that name) has been a leader in social justice and in environmental work. This makes me think about the term “political correctness” which is a backhanded way to minimize compassion. In this case, TJUC has recognized that there is something about the church that hinders its reach and causes real concern, even pain. The only thing to do when we see this is to change, but do it thoughtfully and with abundant input from all. I applaud you all and look forward to hearing about the next step – a name that truly reaches out to the community.

 

Best,

Ward

Ward G. Wilson l Executive Director l Kentucky Waterways Alliance

120 Webster Street, Suite 217, Louisville, KY 40206

Direct (502) 648-2891 l Main (502) 589-8008

ward@KWAlliance.org  l  www.KWAlliance.org

 

 

 

ADK Group-Digital Media Marketing Firm

(Associated with TJ’s digital media program since 2016)

 

(In response to Ellen S. Wade’s concern about problems associated with changing TJ’s brand identity)

Reason to Change the Name:

While I understand your concerns regarding the brand you’ve built, the logo, etc. I would have to say that I agree with the Interim Minister that TJUC should consider changing its name. I feel that even if you went down the middle road of acknowledging/addressing Jefferson’s faults…this is something that would have to be done over and over again. Naming the Justice Center would just bring his faults to the front of everyone’s mind every time they walked past it.

As you know, we’ve went through name changes ourselves and we’ve helped clients do the same. It can actually serve as a great opportunity for renewal/refresh and could help grow and expand the brand/reach. You could also keep the logo icon that you currently have and the colors (blue & yellow) that you use with a new name.

I feel like if you tried to address it publicly but did not change the name, then you’re not really fixing the issue at hand and might even draw attention to the issue for some who have not realized it. As Louisville continues to grow and, given the racial divide that currently exists, it could become a larger issue. I would address it now before it does.

Best,

Amber Herndon,

Director of Marketing + Louisville Operations | ADK Group

(formerly Blackstone Digital Media Marketing)

In response to Ellen S. Wade’s request for professional marketing opinion:

Ellen has since changed her opinion to YES, Name Change is Justified.

Jul 15, 2019 Ellen Wade <bigole@aol.com> wrote:

Amber, there is a stirring of conviction among many of our TJ congregation that our blinders must come off when we consider Thomas Jefferson’s role in supporting slavery.  It makes me sick to think of all the years we’ve created a TJ brand, a unique description and logo when it could all be flushed away with a congregational vote to change our name.  I wonder if ADK deals with this type of issue with customers it works with and how to do it effectively if it came to that?  I would like to know your (and any of your colleagues) professional opinion to warn of any danger, as we begin this debate.  If you say, all is not lost, I will feel more confident.

I, too, think we need to address these atrocious characteristics of Jefferson’s past, but I would prefer to deal with it without changing the church name.  The one thing I need to recognize is that to get ahead of this debate, after any decision is made, TJ might want to publicize our attention and correction to this matter as a way to benefit from any name change while maintaining our proud reputation.  Some congregants feel that not addressing it will negatively affect future membership outreach, if we are too “white” to recognize the injustice of the name.

Here’s what our departing Interim Minister included in our last newsletter, if this helps you understand what we will need to deal with. (referencing Rev. Jeff’s letter to the congregation July 2019 Tapestry- see Rev. Jeff’s opinion in congregation’s feedback on previous blog post).