Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship

SPIRITUAL SOCIAL JUSTICE IN REMEBRANCE AND
ACTION
Amy L. Howard
11-15-2020

Change is the only thing we can expect in life. Change is what happens whether we’re ready for
it or not. And I urge you to consider how you harness the goodness and intention of the
changing tides of our community, of our politics, in how we love, support, and care for one
another.
In 2020 we thought we had a lot of work to do, but 2020 has highlighted nothing but the
opportunities for each of us to create the future we all aspire to live in – and we have a lot of
work to do.
I was driving last night from Chicago and a song from high school came on. In the midst of a
nostalgic car scream singing performance, I paused and considered where I was and what my
world was like when I first heard this song.
I was 14 years old and thought I knew everything about the world. No one could tell me
anything. The world felt small, and strange, but manageable. The joyful freedom I felt singing
this song at age 14, reminded me of a simpler world, but we all know that even at age 14, the
world isn’t that simple. And if we’ve learned anything through 2020 and almost a full year of
trying to gain understanding of a health pandemic crisis and racism pandemic crisis, that our
world isn’t that simple at all and it takes all of us to get back to a semblance of a new normal, a
better normal, an equitable normal.
But we have a lot of work to do. In 2020 thus far, we’ve lost at least 47 individuals due to
violent acts incited by the transphobia, racism, homophobia, and sexism. This is not the normal
I want to return to. I do not want to have a list of names and an even longer list of those
unnamed who have been killed by the inequities of the world we share together. We need to
transgress this normal, we have to act with integrity and equity to recreate our normal.
I’d like to read the names of those we’ve lost in 2020 to give space and power to their
contributions to our world.

IN MEMORIAM
Angel Unique, a 25-year old Black transgender woman, was killed in Memphis, Tennessee, on
October 25. A licensed cosmetologist, friends and family of Angel remembered her for being
“very funny, very nice to everybody she met” and “such a bright person [with] a positive spirit.”

Marcellis Stinnette, June 17, 2001 – October 20, 2020
Waukegan, Illinois
Shot: October 20, 2020, Waukegan Police Officer
Sara Blackwood, a transgender woman, was killed in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 11,
recognized as National Coming Out Day. She enjoyed playing video games and was a fan of the
show “My Little Pony.”
Brooklyn Deshuna, 20, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Shreveport, Louisiana, on
October 7. Brooklyn attended Bossier Parish Community College and studied cosmetology.
Jonathan Dwayne Price, November 3, 1988 – October 3, 2020
Wolfe City, Texas
Tasered/Shot: October 3, 2020, Wolfe City Police Officer
Felycya Harris, a 33-year old transgender woman, was killed in Augusta, Georgia on October
3. Felycya was an interior decorator who ran her own company where she enjoyed lending her
eye to improve the surroundings of others, and made others feel comfortable in their own
space.
Michelle Michellyn Ramos Vargas, a transgender woman from Puerto Rico in her mid-30s,
was killed in San Germán, Puerto Rico on September 30.
Mia Green, a 29-year old Black transgender woman, was killed in Philadelphia on September
28. Her friends and family shared how “her smile was so perfect and so contagious. She made
me laugh.”
Aerrion Burnett, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Indepedence, Missouri, on
September 19. Her friends and family shared “if you wanted to have a good day, you need to
smile, Aerrion was the person you wanted by your side.”

Dijon Durand Kizzee, February 5, 1991 – August 31, 2020
Los Angeles, California
Shot: August 21, 2020, Los Angeles County Police
Dior H Ova, who some reports identify as Tiffany Harris, a Black transgender woman, was
killed in the Bronx, New York. According to her Facebook, Ova loved fashion — listing her career
as a personal shopper and posting photos with luxury fashion brands that she loved. On August
13, a man was arrested on a murder charge in connection to her death.
Kee Sam, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Lafayette, Louisiana, on August 12.
Aja Raquell Rhone-Spears, who sometimes used the name Rocky Rhone, a Black transgender
woman, was killed in Portland, Oregon, on July 28. According to Facebook, she studied at the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and was the owner and founder of International Barbie, a
Portland-based clothing brand.
Queasha D Hardy, a 22-year old Black transgender woman, was killed in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana, on July 27. Hardy, a hairstylist, was extremely loved by her community. Friends and
loved ones describe her as loyal, loving, “always smiling,” “the life of all parties” and “truly one
of a kind.”
Marilyn Cazares, 22, was a transgender Latina killed in Brawley, California on July 13. Mindy
Garcia, an aunt of Cazares, said she “loved to sing and dance” and “never bothered anyone.”
Summer Taylor, a white non-binary person, was in Seattle, Washington, on July 4. Taylor was
participating in the Black Femme March in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and against police
brutality. Taylor worked full time at Urban Animal veterinary hospital.
Bree Black, a 27-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed in Pompano Beach, Florida, on
July 3.
Shaki Peters, a 32-year old Black transgender woman, was killed in Amite City, Louisiana, on
July 1.

Merci Mack, a 22-year old Black transgender woman, was killed in Dallas, Texas, on June 30.
Her loved ones shared how beautiful of a friend she was. On her social media, she had recently
posted that she enjoyed baking and that she was looking forward to returning to work. On July
8, a man was arrested on a murder charge in connection to her death.
Brayla Stone, a 17-year old Black transgender girl, was found killed in Little Rock, Arkansas,
on June 25. “Brayla Stone was a child. A child, just beginning to live her life. A child of trans
experience. A Black girl. On September 4, a man was arrested on a murder charge in connection
to her death.
Brian “Egypt’ Powers, a 43-year old Black transgender person, was killed in Akron, Ohio, on
June 13. Powers worked at a local catering company and is remembered for wearing long,
colorful braids — “unicorn braids,” as Powers called them.
Rayshard Brooks, January 31, 1993 – June 12, 2020
Atlanta, Georgia
Shot: June 12, 2020, Atlanta Police Officer
Riah Milton, a 25-year-old Black transgender woman, was killed in Liberty Township, Ohio on
June 9. In March, she posted the status “Never been scared to struggle. Imma get it eventually” –
– a comment highlighting her resilience and optimism as a person facing a transphobic,
misogynist and racist society.
Dominique “Rem’mie” Fells, a Black transgender woman was killed in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, on June 9. One personal friend posted online, “Dom was a unique and beautiful
soul who I am lucky to have known personally. I am beside myself right now. We need to fight!!
We need to do more!!!! We will get justice.”
Carlos Carson, May 16, 1984 – June 6, 2020
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Pepper Sprayed/Shot in Head: June 6, 2020, Knights Inn Tulsa Armed Security Guard, former
sergeant and detention officer with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office

David McAtee, August 3, 1966 – June 1, 2020
Louisville, Kentucky
Shot: June 1, 2020, Louisville Metropolitan Police Officer
Selena Reyes-Hernandez, a 37-year old transgender woman, was killed in Chicago on May 31.
Tony “Tony the TIger” McDade, 1982 – May 27, 2020
a Black transgender man. His friends and family shared how he was an energetic, giving person
with a big heart.
Tallahassee, Florida
Shot: May 27, 2020, Tallahassee Police Officers
George Perry Floyd, October 14, 1973 – May 25, 2020
Powderhorn, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Knee on neck/Asphyxiated: May 25, 2020, Minneapolis Police Officer
Jayne Thompson, a 33-year old white transgender woman, was killed in Mesa County,
Colorado, on May 9. She was killed by a Colorado State Patrol trooper and mis-gendered in
initial news reports.
Dreasjon “Sean” Reed, 1999 – May 6, 2020
Indianapolis, Indiana
Shot: May 6, 2020, Unidentified Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Officer
Nina Pop, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Sikeston, Missouri, on May 3. She was
deeply loved by her family, friends and community, according to her Facebook page.
Helle Jae O’Regan, 20, a transgender woman, was killed in San Antonio, Texas, on May 6.
O’Regan was proud of her trans identity and on Twitter, she often spoke out against injustice,
including the LGBTQ inequality, the prison industrial complex and the need to decriminalize
sex work. Damion Terrell Campbell, 42, has been charged with O’Regan’s murder.

Michael Brent Charles Ramos, January 1, 1978 – April 24, 2020
Austin, Texas
Shot: April 24, 2020, Austin Police Detectives
Layla Pelaez Sánchez, 21, was killed in Puerto Rico on April 21. Sánchez was killed alongside
Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos. According to reports, Sánchez had recently moved to the
island, and was living in the Tejas neighborhood in Las Piedras. On May 1, two Puerto Rican
men were charged under federal hate crimes law for Sánchez’s death.
Serena Angelique Velázquez Ramos, 32, was killed in Puerto Rico on April 21. Ramos was
killed alongside Layla Pelaez Sánchez, 21. According to reports, Ramos was visiting the island
on vacation, and was set to return to her home in Queens, New York, at the end of the month.
Loved ones are mourning her death, calling her “full of life,” a “happy person,” and a “sincere
friend.” On May 1, two men were charged under federal hate crimes law for Ramos’s death.
Penélope Díaz Ramírez, a transgender woman, was killed in Puerto Rico on April 13.
Johanna Metzger, a transgender woman, was killed in Baltimore, Maryland on April 11.
According to reports, she was visiting a Baltimore recovery center from Pennsylvania at the
time. Johanna was known for her love of music and taught herself to play multiple instruments.
Daniel T. Prude, September 20, 1978 – March 30, 2020
Rochester, New York
Asphyxiation: March 23, 2020, Rochester Police Officers
Lexi, 33, a transgender woman, was killed in Harlem, New York on March 28. According to
reports, Lexi was fatally stabbed in Harlem River Park. “I really looked up to her because of her
tolerance and respect,” said Lavonia Brooks, a friend of Lexi. “Lexi had a beautiful heart, she
was very gifted.” Brooks also noted that Lexi loved poetry, makeup and fashion.
Monika Diamond, 34, a Black transgender woman, was killed in Charlotte, North Carolina on
March 18. Diamond was active in the Charlotte LGBTQ and nightlife community and was the co-

owner of an event promotion company. She also was the co-CEO of the International Mother of
the Year Pageantry System — a pageant that honors LGBTQ mothers.
Breonna Taylor, June 5, 1993 – March 13, 2020
Louisville, Kentucky
Shot: March 13, 2020, Louisville Metro Police Officers
Yampi Méndez Arocho, 19, was killed in Moca, Puerto Rico, on March 5. Arocho, a
transgender man, shared his love for basketball and the NBA — donning Miami Heat apparel on
social media. The biography line on his Facebook reads simply, “Humility Prevails.”
Manuel “Mannie” Elijah Ellis, August 28, 1986 – March 3, 2020
Tacoma, Washington
Physical restraint/Hypoxia: March 3, 2020, Tacoma Police Officers
Neulisa Luciano Ruiz, was fatally shot in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico on February 24. According to
Metro Puerto Rico, members of her community knew her as “humble” and “noble.”
William Howard Green, March 16, 1976 – January 27, 2020
Temple Hills, Maryland
Shot: January 27, 2020, Prince George’s County Police Officer
Dustin Parker, 25, was fatally shot in McAlester, Oklahoma, early on New Year’s Day. His
employers released a statement shortly after his death, remembering Parker as “a steadfast
friend, an amazing husband and father and generous to a fault. He loved fiercely, worked
tirelessly and took on life with so much hope and enthusiasm that his presence brightened all
of our lives.”
While the details of these cases differ and there are innumerable stories that remain untold, it
is clear that fatal violence disproportionately affects men of color and transgender women of
color — particularly Black men and Black transgender women — and that the intersections of
racism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, unchecked access to guns, and systemic
violence perpetrated by police brutality and the prison industrial complex. WE each have the

action – in our words, in how we support one another, in our politics, in our careers – both
large and small opportunities – to be action oriented and be better, to do better for those who
remain voiceless.
A Super new moon occurs today Sunday, Nov. 15, at 12:07 a.m. EST (0507 GMT), just two days
before the Leonid meteor shower reaches its peak. New moons occur when the moon is
between the sun and Earth. About every 29.5 days the two bodies are lined up in the sky along
the same line of celestial longitude. Celestial longitude is a projection of the Earth’s longitude
lines on the celestial sphere; when two bodies share the same longitude that is called a
conjunction. If one draws a line from Polaris, the North Star due south toward the sun, that line
also hits the moon. A super new moon sets the path of a new beginning, so, today is an
opportunity to contemplate and start anew.
So, during this new moon that we share together today, I want you to sit and reflect on the
KUUF values that we share together within this fellowship. I want you to set a worthwhile
intention, light a candle in remembrance for those we’ve lost, challenge yourself to engage with
a new idea, and make a list of your intentions. Consider how you embody: The inherent worth
and dignity of every person; value and embody Justice, equity and compassion in human
relations; Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our
congregations; provide and nurture A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; how
you reflect on The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our
congregations and in society at large; how you aim to create a world community with peace,
liberty, and justice for all; and exhibit Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of
which we are a part.
Spiritual social justice is our integrity. It is our faith. Our ethic. The keystone in the arch of our
character. It’s how we rise to the occasion to be fearless: to challenge our “truths” and to seek
change. Change isn’t just happening. But we can make it happen, we are making it happen.
We don’t have all the answers and often more questions than anything, thus we have work to
do. I wish we didn’t, but we do. This work, these changes, aren’t always clear. We don’t always

know what we have to do to usher in the changes necessary to serve all, to create our new
normal, to truly create an equitable world where our community is not murdered for identities
they hold and biases our world holds onto. The way isn’t always clear and most certainly not
easy, but together we accomplish more than apart.
Harness the intentions you hold inside and the intentions of this fellowship – because how do
we get there? First, we have to believe that this world is real and possible. If you struggle to
believe in that world, look around at the people in this service. Look around at this amazing
community. Hold onto this image because that world we wish for looks and feels something
like this. Hold onto it, take it with you in everything you do.
Each of us has power – to educate ourselves, to talk to the individuals around us, to listen (and
then listen more), to be more generous than we believe we’re capable, to make changes –
intentional changes – in our community, to engage in workshops (we’ll be hosting a series
through KUUF – so stay tuned) to grow our knowledge and unpack our biases, and we ALL have
the power to change – ourselves and our world.
So, I charge you with that opportunity. Take the reset of the new moon and the shifting tides of
our new normal as nothing but inspiration to make our world better for everyone. Be wakeful,
be mindful, and be ready for your call to action —and you will be called in the midst of violence,
hatred, oppression and injustice to advocate and use your power for change – to stand on the
side of love and nonviolence and social justice.