UUFSMA: Our Democracy? Cliff DuRand

Sunday, November 18, 10:30am

Our Democracy?

Cliff DuRand

The United States has long prided itself on being “the world’s greatest democracy” — a claim that has been called into question by many in recent years. Nevertheless, we hear it said that our democracy is under threat. At this week’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Service, social philosopher Cliff DuRand asks whose democracy it is and what kind of democracy is it anyway? Is it government of, by, and for the people? Or is it only for business and the wealthy?

“With the mid-term election frenzy now over and the dust settling, we can step back and look more deeply at where the American project for popular sovereignty stands,” says Dr. DuRand. “The official doctrine is that democracy consists of multiparty free and fair elections by which voters decide who will rule over them. While that may legitimate a government, isn’t democracy much more than that? What does it take to ensure that the popular will is secured? Democracy takes social movements acting outside of and sometimes against the established political processes. Democracy is in the streets more than in the halls of Congress.”

A veteran of the protest politics of the 1960s, Dr. DuRand was a Professor at historically Black Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. His political baptism was in the civil rights movement, and he was also active in Central American solidarity in the 1980s. From these experiences he learned the power of social movements to change consciousness as well as to force political leaders to take into account popular cries for social justice. Beginning in the 1990s he organized annual educational trips to Cuba where he came to appreciate their efforts to build a socialist society. Coming to San Miguel 14 years ago, he was one of the founders of the Center for Global Justice. A popular speaker and author, he has published many articles and two books: Recreating Democracy in a Globalized State andMoving Beyond Capitalism.

The UU Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at La Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15 and welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. For information about our Children’s Sunday Program, contact us atchris.chase1955@gmail.com. Visitors are invited to attend the service and then join the UUs for hospitality and discussion afterwards. Wheelchair accessible. For additional information, visit our web site at uufsma.org.

Our fellowship was born in 1987 when a small group of expatriate religious liberals came together to meet as Unitarian Universalists in San Miguel de Allende. The fellowship has been active and thriving ever since. Every UU church has it’s own flavor, and we are no exception. We are a combination of expats and visitors, each actively engaged and contributing to this wonderful Mexican community we love. Because there is a coming, going, and returning aspect, our spiritual community is extremely fluid.  There is a magic in San Miguel which draws us in and binds us together—both as members of the church and of the larger community. Our programming is led by visiting ministers, community leaders, and church members, so the variety is lively. We have opportunities to meet as UU’s each week at discussion groups, breakfasts, luncheons, and in various other ways. Depending on the season, attendance fluctuates between 40 and 140. Our primary focus is on funding social action within the surrounding community. We love good music, good discussion, good food, and having visitors. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning.

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