Published: April 2, 1997
The Vision of Race Unity: America's Most Challenging Issue
Racism is the most challenging issue confronting America. Racism is an affront to human dignity, a cause of hatred and division, a disease that devastates society. Notwithstanding the efforts already expended for its elimination, racism continues to work its evil upon this nation. Aware of the magnitude and the urgency of the issue, we, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, speaking for the entire U.S. Baha'i community, appeal to all people of goodwill to arise without further delay to resolve the fundamental social problem of this country.
The oneness of humanity, the pivot round which revolve all the teachings of the Baha'i Faith, is a statement of principle and an assertion of the ultimate goal of human existence on the planet. More than a century ago Bah'u'llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha'i Faith, wrote: "The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established." The Word of God as presented in the Baha'i writings offers compelling insights as in the following examples:
"Veiled in My immemorial being and in the ancient eternity of my essence, I knew My love for thee; therefore I created thee, have engraved on thee Mine image and revealed to thee My beauty."
"All men have been created to carry forward and ever-advancing civilization. The Almighty beareth Me witness: To act live the beasts of the field is unworthy of man. Those virtues that befit his dignity are forbearance, mercy, compassion and loving-kindness towards all the peoples and kindreds of the earth."
Having gone through the stages of infancy and turbulent adolescence, humanity is now approaching maturity, a stage that will witness "the reconstruction and the demilitarization of the whole civilized world - a world organically unified in all the essential aspects of its life..."
The oneness of humanity is a spiritual truth abundantly confirmed by science, implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society. Recognition of this truth compels the abandonment of all prejudices of race, color, creed, nation, and class - of "everything which enables people to consider themselves superior to others." "...It implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced.
The application of the spiritual principle of the oneness of humanity to the life of the nation would necessitate and make possible vast changes in the economic status of the non-white segments of the population. Prejudice and discrimination have created a disparity in standards of living, providing some with excessive economic advantage while denying others the bare necessities for leading healthy and dignified lives.
The fundamental solution - the one that will reduce violence, regenerate and focus the intellectual and moral energy of minorities, and make them partners in the construction of a progressive society - rests ultimately on the common recognition of the oneness of humankind. Such an attitude needs to be grounded in a spiritual and moral truth that all acknowledge and accept as their own and that, like the oxygen that serves all equally, breathes life into their common effort to live in unity and peace.
Education in the principle of the oneness of humanity is the shortest route out of poverty and prejudice. A national program of education, emphasizing the values of tolerance, brotherhood, appreciation for cultures other than one's own, and respect for differences would be a most important step toward the elimination of racism and, as a consequence, the bolstering of the economy.
Healing the wounds and building a society in which people of diverse backgrounds live as members of one family are the most pressing issues confronting America today. Her peace, her prosperity, and even her standing in the international community depend to a great extent on the resolution of this issue.
Blacks and Whites must understand that no real change will come about without close association, fellowship, and friendship among diverse peoples. Diversity of color, nationality, and culture enhances the human experience and should never be made a barrier to harmonious relationships, to friendship, or to marriage. "O well-beloved ones!" Baha'u'llah wrote. "The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch."
We appeal to the individual American because the transformation of a whole nation ultimately depends on the initiative and change of character of the individuals who compose it.
From its inception in 1863 the Baha'i community was dedicated to the principle of the unity of humankind. Baha'is rely upon faith in God, daily prayer, meditation, and study of sacred texts to effect the transformation of character necessary for personal growth and maturity; however, their aim is to create a world civilization that will in turn react upon the character of the individual. We offer an example of the Baha'i community, which has accumulated more than a century of experience in creating models of unity that transcend race, culture, nationality, class, and the differences of sex and religion, providing empirical evidence that humanity in all its diversity can live as a unified global society.
We do so with firm faith in the assistance of our Creator, Who, out of His infinite love, brought forth all of humanity from the same stock and intended that all belong to the same household. We believe, moreover, that the day of the unification of the entire human race has come and that "The potentialities inherent in the station of man, the full measure of his destiny on the earth, the innate excellence of his reality, must all be manifested in this promised Day of God."
You are warmly invited to share in the love of all in our diverse community at Baha'i Family School, Sundays at 10 a.m. at Bucknall School at the corner of Bucknall and San Thomas Aquino. Call 448-0639 for more information.
Adapted from a statement by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States by Charles and Suzan Moser.
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