How many are those among us who take great pride in heritage and tradition. But such false pride often results in disrespect for the heritage and traditions of others, as traditions are generally formed around attitudes and customs peculiar to a particular stage of cultural infancy or immaturity that resist changing with time.
This ill-conceived “pride” is therefore eventually converted into prejudice, which I have always contended differs only in who has it. If it’s mine, it’s pride. If it’s yours, it’s prejudice–which has been appropriately defined as “an emotional commitment to the falsehood which no amount of evidence will alter.”
Enter the African-American, a new and distinct breed of mankind created within the last three to four hundred years in a comparatively new nation of a world estimated to be millions of years old. With no pure linage to claim, we “pick one”–African, as an original source perhaps, that we can take pride in while denying the Caucasian, Native American and other ethnic composition of a race created free of such ethnic pride and prejudice.
Apparently many choose to view this as a curse to be ashamed of rather than as a unique blessing to be created by God free to place more pride in the spiritual roots which unite us than in the genetic roots which have historically divided mankind and continues to do so.
Age-old rivalries continue today among ethnic tribes and nations who live together in peace in this new nation and according to the Baha’i Writings for this new era, the African Americans have a unique roll to play in the promulgation of world peace. The sole deterrent is manipulation by man as opposed to recognition of, guidance by and obedience to God (however you perceive Him).
For there are many paths to one God; many interpretations of one religion and many races of one mankind, according to the Baha’i teachings, a concept which would have been impossible to perceive in prior dispensations when science technology and mankind itself were all in their infancy.
In its infancy mankind was easily controlled, as a child, by the parental hand of custom and tradition. But with maturity come growing pains–the increasing restless clamor throughout the world for truth, justice and peace, all framed within the American Constitution yet to be equitably applied. However due to her tradition of categorizing everyone by race, age, sex, religion, neighborhood and national origin, the hopes initiative and development to fullest potential of much of her citizenry has suffered irreparable damage to which she is now falling prey.
Likewise her traditional overemphasis on competition continues to create monsters in the home, work place, religion, politics, among individuals, organizations, corporations and in every segment of society.
We also traditionally categorize people generally although all women are not alike, neither are all men all Americans, Blacks, Whites, Jews, Christians, Protestants, Catholics or even Baha’is. And all people of the same years are not the same age.
As we approach Black History month in particular, may we each and all reevaluate the unique origin, plight and destiny of African Americans in the sight and divine plan of God. In so doing we will become more energized and motivated to fulfill our highest potential and, like America herself, arise to our high calling.
According to the Baha’i Writings America is destined to be a noble nation, a standard-bearer of peace throughout the world, shedding her light to all regions. Other nations are not untrammeled and free of intrigues like the United States and are unable to raise the flag of brotherhood and bring about universal peace…(Investigate)
