How are the Bahá’ís Working Towards Race Unity?
"The happiness of mankind lieth in the unity and the harmony of the human race. "
- ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
It’s no secret that America is going through a tumultuous time. Tensions and divisions surface every day, reminding us that the stains of injustice, racial prejudice and inequity are set deeply in the fabric of our society. Bahá’ís are committed to reshaping society around principles of oneness – such as love, inclusivity and reciprocity. We hope to join hands with the countless like minded Americans working for these same goals, and invite everyone to take a look at our approach.
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The Bahá’ís of Eureka continue to offer opportunities for public discourse through Spirit Talk, covering topics such as:
We plan to integrate more topics that impact people of color throughout these elevated conversations. We encourage suggestions and participation from anyone interested in having or leading these conversations.
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In addition to regular public discourses we have been hosting over the last two and a half years, we are actively involved in community building in and around Eureka. These activities, carried out in an environment of love and trust born of common belief, practice, and mission, provides individuals of different races an intimate connection of heart and mind upon which mutual understanding and change depend.
On November 4th, 2020 the Baha'i community of Eureka released a letter in the Times-Standard calling for unity. You can read it at the link below:
All across the United States, members of the Bahá’í Faith are working, shoulder-to-shoulder with their fellow Americans, to make their communities more unified, just, and prosperous. Below are links to sites that demonstrate some of the perspectives and actions that show how the Bahá’ís of the U.S. have been working to promote Race Unity in our nation.
"Likewise marriage between these two races will wholly destroy and eradicate the root of enmity."
-‘Abdu'l-Bahá
On December 18, 2022 CNN aired an episode of "This Is Life with Lisa Ling" that does an incredible job painting the pains of prejudices in the US with regard to interracial marriage. Lisa Ling contrasts it to the Baha’i Faith, a Faith that has encouraged interracial marriage for over 100 years.
She asks, "Could interracial marriage be a path to peace for all of us?" (42 min)
-‘Abdu'l-Bahá
On December 18, 2022 CNN aired an episode of "This Is Life with Lisa Ling" that does an incredible job painting the pains of prejudices in the US with regard to interracial marriage. Lisa Ling contrasts it to the Baha’i Faith, a Faith that has encouraged interracial marriage for over 100 years.
She asks, "Could interracial marriage be a path to peace for all of us?" (42 min)
How the Baha’i Faith Affirms and Empowers Black People (6 min)
“Forging a Path to Racial Justice” is a public statement released on 19 June, 2020, from the Bahá’ís of the United States. It focuses on racial prejudice and the spiritual principles essential for progress toward peace.
The statement comes at a moment when recent tragedies and long history have intersected to bring anti-Black racism and other forms of prejudice to the forefront of public consciousness in the United States and across the world.
The statement comes at a moment when recent tragedies and long history have intersected to bring anti-Black racism and other forms of prejudice to the forefront of public consciousness in the United States and across the world.
This statement highlights a "Call for Transformation at this Pivotal Time in America" as divisions widen, long-standing tensions, bigotry and prejudices rise to the surface. The spiritual roots of these conditions -materialism, moral decay and racial prejudice - are the focus of a letter written by the elected national governing body of the Bahá’ís of the United States in February 2017.
Raceunity.us is an oral history of the experiences and efforts of Bahá’ís of every background who promote race unity in America.
How the Baha’i Writings Combat Racism (6 min)
The Illumine America podcast explores constructive approaches to issues such as economic inequality, racial injustice, race unity, and sustainable development.
Racism is America’s most challenging issue. This podcast interviews Bahá’ís throughout the United States who are actively building racial unity through building community.
The Key to the Future of This Country (8 minutes)
“Race Amity combined with education is the key to the future of this country.” The National Center for Race Amity works to advance the discourse on race through friendship and hosts an annual Race Amity Conference.
“Race Amity combined with education is the key to the future of this country.” The National Center for Race Amity works to advance the discourse on race through friendship and hosts an annual Race Amity Conference.
The National Center for Race Amity (NCRA) develops forums and initiatives to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural amity that impact the public discourse on race.
A Rich Tapestry (5 min)
The video below shares authentic examples of how individuals, communities and institutions are weaving together a rich tapestry of community life in neighborhoods across racial and cultural divides in America.
