Each year the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) selects a book that they recommend all UU’s read. The UU Common Read builds community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared platform for reflection and a shared focus for action. Further, a Common Read can take us on a powerful faith journey as we explore—each of us, and together—what it means to be human and accountable in a pain-filled world.

This year’s selection is Defund Fear by Zach Norris. This book has a local connection as Norris is a lawyer and community organizer who until early 2022 served as Executive Director of the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights in Oakland, CA

In his book Zach Norris shifts the conversation about public safety away from fear and punishment and toward growth and support systems for our families and communities. In Defund Fear, Norris explores what has gone wrong, and why, and who has been most impacted by repressive and racist policing systems. He offers a new blueprint for public safety that holds people accountable while still holding them in community.

We will be meeting via Zoom for three sessions to discuss the book:

• Sunday, April 10 from 7:00-8:30

• Sunday, April 24 from 7:00-8:30pm

• Sunday, May 1 from 7:00-8:30 pm

If you would like to join us for the discussions, please register here:

If you are interested in a little ‘extra credit’ click the button below to watch a recorded conversation moderated by UU World executive editor Roger Santodomingo. In this video, Defund Fear author Zach Norris engages with UU religious professionals about ways the book resonates with UU theology(ies). [The video is 70 minutes long]