In the spirit of love, we must look at how class influences our relationships in this faith and seek to invite greater inclusion. We need to become more effective at welcoming and including people from all class backgrounds. 

In the spirit of service, we must learn to collaborate with Americans living in chronic poverty or struggling in our current economy. 

We need new language to better discuss the dynamics of class and classism. We need to learn how to work more effectively in cross-class alliances to create systems-level change. When Unitarian Universalists are equipped with class and classism awareness, we can be more effective in selecting and implementing social justice action. 

Because all oppressions intersect, dealing with class connects us with issues of race, disability access, democracy, and the environment. At this critical historic moment, the Escalating Inequality action issue encourages us to address class as both a diversity and a social justice issue. 

The above statements are excerpts from the speech Suzanne Zilber gave at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly 2014 to support the Escalating Inequality Congregational Study Action Issue with input from UU Class Conversations  

Suzanne Zilber, Ph.D. © classaware@gmail.com 515-231-5180 to ensure you have the most current edition of this curriculum, go to www.uufames.org/content/class-conscious Please ensure facilitators are using the same edition.

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