Eliminating Racism Resources
“O CHILDREN OF MEN!
Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created." -The Bahá’í Writings
Racism is the most challenging issue confronting America.
“A nation whose ancestry includes every people on earth, whose motto is E pluribus unum, whose ideals of freedom under law have inspired millions throughout the world, cannot continue to harbor prejudice against any racial or ethnic group without betraying itself. Racism is an affront to human dignity, a cause of hatred and division, a disease that devastates society.” Read the entire statement on the Vision of Race Unity, America’s Most Challenging Issue, at the link above.
Baha'i Office of Public Affairs—
“From otherness to oneness: working toward an America free from racial prejudice.” See numerous resources at the link above.
A Spiritual Path to Unity & Social Justice – The Baha'i Faith in America
Print edition $1.00, ebook free.
Race Unity Day was inaugurated in 1957 by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of the United States to promote racial harmony and understanding. It is observed on the second Sunday in June. Originally called Race Amity Day, the name was changed to Race Unity Day in 1965. The purpose of the day is to focus attention on the most challenging moral issue facing this country -- racial prejudice.
The National Center for Race Amity develops forums, workshops, service projects, films and other initiatives to advance cross-racial and cross-cultural friendship.
We move the public discourse on race beyond the blame-grievance-rejection framework to one that recognizes and celebrates our ability to overcome racial prejudice through association, amity and collaborative action.
Race Amity conference creates an “Oasis of Love” in Atlanta-1/31/2024
Roots of the Race Amity Movement in America
Robert Turner, the First African American Bahá'í
Video project sheds light on story of early African American Baha’i woman
Pause & Reflect: Meditations for Change: “Pause & Reflect is a series that presents meditative passages from the writings of the Baha’i Faith arranged around particular themes. The theme of this volume is change.”
Pause & Reflect: Meditations for Justice: “A compilation of passages from the Baha’i writings on the theme of justice. This is the third title in the Pause & Reflect series. Justice is a principle worthy of our deepest reflection, a subject at the forefront of the minds of many people. These passages are not solely for quiet meditation, but also meant to inspire action – in ourselves and in our communities.”
Statement submitted to the United Nations Second World Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, Geneva—1 August 1983
Statement to the forty-fifth session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights—Geneva—8 February 1989
Written statement submitted by the Baha'i International Community to the Forty-fifth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. New York—8 March 2001
One Same Substance: Consciously Creating a Global Culture of Unity
Written statement submitted by the Baha'i International Community to the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance—South Africa—31 August 2001
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Statement requested by Mary Robinson, High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Bawa Jain, Secretary General, Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 21 March 2001—New York—21 March 2001
No Jim Crow Church
The Origins of South Carolina's Baha'i Community by Louis Venters
Check out No Jim Crow Church from a Washington County library.
Combining voices: Statement sets a tone for conversations in efforts to overcome racism together
“Intimate Dialogue” gathering fosters respectful conversations on race
Minneapolis: Playing a Humble Part - January 20, 2021
“The Minneapolis Bahá’í Center is a block away from the spot where George Floyd was killed in May 2020. When surrounding streets were shut down for months due to protests, the center set up an improvised food pantry. Since then, Baha’is have been strengthening connections with the local community through shared acts of service.”
ARISE Pupil of The Eye Conference-Gathering and acts of service celebrate the spiritual station and mission of black people.
The Bahá’í Response to Racial Injustice and Pursuit of Racial Unity
Two articles focusing on the American Bahá’í community’s efforts to bring about racial unity since 1912.
Healing the Racial Divide - A Baha'i Approach video.
Deborah Deas video.