What Does Trying to Heal Racism Look Like?

Driving, running down the street, or holding a cell phone. Because of racism, when you’re black, doing even the most basic of things could cost you your life. And when people harm black folks because of their prejudice and bias, "that’s a spiritual sickness," says Sue St. Clair, an African American Baha’i living in Nashville, Tennessee.

Sue shares how she decided to take action in this short clip from the Race Unity Project. The series is produced by Journalism for Change, Inc, a nonprofit media organization founded by the filmmaker and human rights activist Maziar Bahari. The project tells “the century-long story of the American Baha’i community and its efforts — as well as its tests and challenges — in promoting race unity.”

Sue says she reflected on a quote by Baha’u’llah, the prophet and founder of the Baha’i Faith: “The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.” 

Because of this quote and others from the Baha’i Writings, she wondered, “What does that look like for me, when I say to myself that I’m working for the healing of racism?” Watch as Sue explains how the framework of Baha’i classes — known as “Ruhi” or a “study circle” — helped her expand her understanding of her role.