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In its contribution to bring about the Baha’i vision of the oneness of humanity, BahaiTeachings.org announced the formation of a new voluntary Advisory Council on Racial Unity.
Designed and formed to focus on issues surrounding race and the eradication of racism, the Advisory Council on Racial Unity met for the first time a few weeks ago.
The Council agreed that racism represents an entire set of highly complex issues, but at its heart lies something fundamentally dissonant with the central principles of the Baha’i Faith: the lack of acknowledgement that all humans are created equally noble:
O Son of Spirit! Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created. – Baha’u’llah, The Hidden Words, p. 9.
The Advisory Council, created with the intention of guiding BahaiTeachings.org on all efforts and content relating to issues of race, will endeavor to pursue the vision of the Guardian of the Baha’i Faith, when he predicted that in the future:
… racial animosity and prejudice will be replaced by racial amity, understanding and co-operation. – Shoghi Effendi, The World Order of Baha’u’llah, p. 204.
In pursuing that vision, the Advisory Council recognizes that too often, people of color are overlooked and misrepresented, which impacts everyone negatively, regardless of race. Consistent lack of diversity stunts our growth and fosters subconscious practices that are exclusive and unwelcoming to entire groups of people. Moving forward, BahaiTeachings.org hopes to play a more active role in racial healing.
“We’ve realized,” said Payam Zamani, the editor-in-chief of BahaiTeachings.org, “that to do this, we need to be more intentional with the viewpoints we reflect on BahaiTeaching.org, especially when it comes to highlighting the important views of our African American brothers and sisters.”
The BahaiTeachings.org Advisory Council on Racial Unity also recognizes that today the “most vital and challenging issue” of racism still requires more work than our simply writing and talking about it. The Council’s sincere hope is that we will all—no matter what our racial background or ethnicity—become motivated and inspired to take actions that will ultimately begin to wipe away this patent evil:
Let neither think that anything short of genuine love, extreme patience, true humility, consummate tact, sound initiative, mature wisdom, and deliberate, persistent, and prayerful effort, can succeed in blotting out the stain which this patent evil has left on the fair name of their common country. – Shoghi Effendi, The Advent of Divine Justice, p. 40.
The initial membership of the BahaiTeachings.org Advisory Council on Racial Unity includes five volunteer members who have graciously offered their time, energy and insight:
The council will advise and accompany BahaiTeachings.org on its journey of teaching the Baha’i Faith in a welcoming way to people from all walks of life. Members of the council will produce and review articles, along with identifying new, diverse contributors and speakers who will enrich the BahaiTeachings.org platform, and attempt to frankly and forthrightly address racial prejudice.
Please join us in welcoming the new members of the BahaiTeachings.org Advisory Council on Racial Unity.
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