As we approach the 84th anniversary of The Roanoke Tribune, I find myself looking back over a lifetime series of circumstances in which I have neither had control nor set any long-range goals. Such existence may sound blasé but quite the contrary occurs when it is motivated by a sense of obligation, determination, love, and respect.
I’m not really sure where the word “love” came from, as I did not recognize having been brought up in I nor had I any remote understanding of its meaning until I was introduced to the Revelation of Baha’u’llah (the Baha’i Faith) at nearly the ½ century mark of my life. Through its continuous flow of Holy Writings, related institutions, courses, and subsequent gatherings comes constant food for thought and opportunities for service to others through self-transformation, a never-ending process. It’s an arduous journey but as on other spiritual paths, the weight is not carried alone. Remember the words of Christ when He said, “Take My yoke upon you, for My yoke is easy and My burdens are light.”
The yokes and burdens of this new era, over 2000+ years later, are incomparably different from any preceding it, and “All things must be made new” to comply with the new demands and prescriptions for living at this modern stage of maturity of mankind. How awesome in such an era to be in the enviable and influential position of owning and still operating a newspaper that has been “Making and recording Black History” for the past 84 years (the most historic this comparatively new nation has ever witnessed) and still in the same family four generations later.
I am humbled at so great an honor to be able to provide an instrument through which a Source of love and unity continuously flows – that must precede the long-awaited “Peace on earth” theory most popular during the Christmas season, yet light years away.
The critical pillars of love and unity must also be added to justice to support the final pillar of peace. Oddly enough a tremendous impediment in the process is found in the first pillar of Love-of what and according to what interpretation for there are many forms of love -an endless topic of discussion.
Consequently, Turtle Talk editorials seldom address current germane topics whether local or national that headline daily newscasts-mostly bad, depressing, or controversial-as there is no shortage of informed and especially uninformed commentary on the ills of an increasingly decadent society. We, therefore, have chosen instead to devote whatever limited time, influence, and resources available to lighting as many candles as possible to illumine the impending darkness. For the life of each of us is but a candle in the wind, lit by our Creator and fueled by the eternal flames of those with whom we come in contact along life’s pilgrimage.
Indeed this period of time is the Promised Age (could we but perceive it). “Soon the whole world, as in springtime, will change its garb … for the spiritual springtime is at hand,” state the Baha’i Holy Writings.
