Bahá'í Library Online The Pupil of the Eye: African Americans in the World Order of Bahá'u'lláh by The Báb, Bahá'u'lláh, Abdu'l-Bahá, and Universal House of Justice Compiled by Bonnie J. Taylor. Rivera Beach, Florida: Palabra Publications, 1998 Selections from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal House of Justice Copyright by Bonnie Taylor ISBN 1-890101-00-1 First published September 1995 Second edition published 1998 Compiled by Bonnie J. Taylor Palabra Publications 3735 B Shares Place Rivera Beach, Florida 33404 USA 561-845-1919 561-845-0126 (fax) [email protected] CONTENTS Notes and Acknolwledgements v The Pupil vii One: People of African Descent 3 I. Qualities and Characteristics 3 II. Individual Bahá'ís of African Descent 9 Two: Race 21 I. Origins of Racial Characteristics 21 II. Measurement of Human Intelligence, Capacity and Worth 24 III. The Intellect and Race 28 Three: Bahá'u'lláh's Principle of the Oneness of Mankind 33 I. The Fundamental Principle of the Bahá'í Faith 33 II. Eliminating Prejudices: Prerequisite to Unity and Peace 43 III. The Danger of Prejudice and Disunity 50 Four: Unity in Diversity 61 I. The Purpose and Value of Diversity 61 II. The Principle of Unity in Diversity 67 III. Maintaining Diversity 71 Five: Applying Solutions to Racism 75 I. The Most Vital and Challenging Issue: Goal and the Responsibilities 75 II. Responsibilities of the Bahá'ís of European Descent 97 III. Responsibilities of the Bahá'ís of African Descent 103 IV. Reliance Upon Divine Power and the Love of God 110 V. The Standard of Faith in the Midst of Tests and Adversities 121 VI. Justice-in Principle and Application 134 Six: African Americans and Teaching the Faith of Bahá'u'lláh 147 I. Offering the Message of Bahá'u'lláh to People of African Ancestry 147 II. The Need for Perseverance, Courage and Wisdom 153 III. African Americans as Teachers of the Faith in America 159 IV. Teaching and Serving in the African American Community 162 V. Conferences and Committees 172 VI. African Americans as Pioneers 179 Seven: Destiny 189 Bibliography 199 +v Notes and Acknowledgments The Revelation proclaimed by Bahá'u'lláh was directed to the whole of mankind, and is universal in its scope. "The Ancient Beauty hath consented to be bound with chains," Bahá'u'lláh declared, "that mankind may be released from its bondage, and hath consented to be made a prisoner within this most mighty Stronghold that the whole world may attain unto true liberty." While the Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh is universal, however, there are references to specific groups of people, including people of African descent. The writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi and The Universal House of Justice also contain numerous such references, as well as a great deal of material written to and about African Americans in particular. This compilation endeavors to collect and organize as much of that material as possible. Additional support material has also been included which, although it may not specifically refer to people of African ancestry, nevertheless elaborates upon many of the issues discussed in the quotations written about them. These support materials address experiences common to all human groups. The writings specifically about African Americans that are contained herein describe their crucial and indispensable role in the Cause of God. It is hoped that this compilation will serve as an assistance to them as they struggle to overcome the difficulties in their path, and attain their goal and destiny in the new World Order. I am deeply grateful to my husband, Clayton E. Taylor, Jr., and all the other African Americans who lovingly welcomed +vi me into their homes and hearts. Their patient education, insight and wisdom in issues of race provided a great deal of the inspiration and guidance necessary for this project. The Universal House of Justice and the friends in various departments of the Bahá'í World Centre responded quickly to my inquiries, and provided me with additional material for use in this compilation. I am also most appreciative for the support and assistance of the Bahá'í National Education Task Force. I am particularly grateful for Leonard Smith's review of the manuscript, and his valuable suggestions. Roger Dahl and Lewis Walker of National Bahá'í Archives were always available to provide research assistance, and enabled me to spend many exciting and fruitful days in search of new material. Roger and Lewis were interested, knowledgeable and responsive to all my questions and needs. And finally, the faith, vision and enthusiasm of Charles Cornwell and Paul Lample of Palabra Publications were a source of great encouragement for me. I am grateful that they believed in the value of this work, and that they held the ideals and strength of commitment to transform the manuscript into a publication. Our thanks also go to May Khadem Czerniejewski, M.D., an ophthalmologist, and Rick Czerniejewski, M.D., who lovingly prepared the beautiful description of the pupil of the eye that is included in this second edition. Bonnie J. Taylor +vii The Pupil The pupil of the eye is a portal which admits and regulates the flow of light to the retina. Without this passage, no images are perceived. At the retina, our consciousness is intimately in contact with physical reality, for the brain's cells themselves flow out to the retina to receive information through the illumination modulated by the pupil. The pupil has the dual function of light gathering and modulation. Light, which unites all colors and is composed of all colors, illumines physical reality, but at the same time its intensity can destroy the delicate structures of the eye. When light levels are high, it constricts to protect the retina from intense and even damaging exposure. Since sight is often described as our most precious sensory ability, we can say that the pupil helps to protect this most precious gift. On the other hand, when there is very little light the pupil admits more light through dilating, thus permitting sight even in very dark places. The black appearance of the pupil is deceptive. The pupil appears black only until the inside of the eye is illumined. Then it becomes radiant, filled with a warm, reddish-orange glow. With this reflection from the inside of the eye, the pupil itself becomes a source of illumination. The most remarkable quality of the pupil is that despite its vital service, it is the embodiment of "the hollow reed from which the pith of self hath been blown," for it is the absence of physical structure that permits it to facilitate the harmonious functioning of all the other components of the eye that make sight possible. -Dr. May Khadem Czerniejewski and Dr. Richard Czerniejewski +3 ONE PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT I. Qualities and Characteristics "Thou art like unto the pupil of the eye which is dark in colour, yet it is the fount of light and the revealer of the contingent world." -`Abdu'l-Bahá 1. Bahá'u'lláh...once compared the colored people† to the black pupil of the eye surrounded by the white. In this black pupil is seen the reflection of that which is before it, and through it the light of the spirit shineth forth. `Abdu'l-Bahá, inThe Advent of Divine Justice, p. 31 2. O thou who hast an illumined heart! Thou art even as the pupil of the eye, the very wellspring of the light, for God's love hath cast its rays upon thine inmost being and thou hast turned thy face toward the Kingdom of thy Lord. Intense is the hatred, in America, between black and white, but my hope is that the power of the Kingdom will bind these two in friendship, and serve them as a healing balm. † The Central Figures of the Bahá'í Faith, in their talks, tablets and letters, used terminology that was common and acceptable at the time. +4 Let them not look upon a man's colour but upon his heart. If the heart be filled with light, that man is nigh unto the threshold of His Lord; but if not, that man is careless of His Lord, be he white or be he black. `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 113 3. O thou who art pure in heart, sanctified in spirit, peerless in character, beauteous in face! Thy photograph hath been received revealing thy physical frame in the utmost grace and the best appearance. Thou art dark in countenance and bright in character. Thou art like unto the pupil of the eye which is dark in colour, yet it is the fount of light and the revealer of the contingent world. I have not forgotten nor will I forget thee. I beseech God that He may graciously make thee the sign of His bounty amidst mankind, illumine thy face with the light of such blessings as are vouchsafed by the merciful Lord, single thee out for His love in this age which is distinguished among all the past ages and centuries. `Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of `Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 114 4. Indeed, the hearts of the Africans are like unto a scroll which is free from any trace. It is possible for thee to write thereon any phrase, provided thou showest forth patience, and hast a heart as firm as a mighty mountain. `Abdu'l-Bahá, from a recently translated Tablet, "The Experience, Spiritual Qualities, Obligations and Destiny of Black People," #1, p.