It seems somewhat ironic that Valentine’s Day should fall in the middle of what was much later declared “Black History Month.” Equally ironic is the unconditional “tough love” of Black Americans recorded throughout history, for their family members as well as for the families of their slave masters and their immediate families. Through such unconditional love in the depths of moral and societal decay and deprivation came a spiritual balance to otherwise potential unbearable circumstances.
The Valentine’s Day observance derived through conversion from a pagan Roman Lovers’ Festival for young people from February 15, to Valentine’s Day on February 14. This celebration was named in honor of two different Christian martyrs, one a priest who lived in Rome, the other a bishop who lived some 60 miles from Rome. Valentine’s Day did not become popular in the United States until the 1800’s during the time of the Civil War–which again ironically led to the beginning of the end of legalized chattel slavery.
Following this historic revolution came the demise of industrial slavery in the United States, yet to be followed by an end to social and economic slavery.
“True civilization will not be brought about through strife and conflict,” we read in the Baha’i Holy Writings, “but by a voluntary attitude of goodwill on both sides. Only then can conditions of real and lasting justice be secured.
“In the Baha’i Revelation there are no extortionate, mercenary and unjust laws and practices, no rebellious demands, no revolutionary uprisings against existing governments, etc., and in the future it will not be possible to amass great fortunes by the labor of others–as only Baha’is can contribute monetarily to the Baha’i Faith! However this revolutionary system must come about gradually and naturally. It will never be accomplished through war and bloodshed.”
It should be borne in mind that these writings are among an endless flood of divine instructions offered through the Central Figures of the Baha’i Faith over the past 200 years being continuously channeled today through its divine institutions throughout the world as a safeguard from misinterpretation and subsequent division, as “interpretation of the Holy Writings is forbidden! “Let the hearer understand!”
The writings include: “It behooves the writers and editors thereof to be sanctified from the prejudice of egotism and desire and to be adorned with the ornament of equity and justice. They must inquire into matters as fully as possible in order that they may be informed of the real facts and commit the same to writing.”
Ironically, this writer, who became editor and publisher of The Roanoke Tribune in July of 1971, following my father’s auto accident from which he never returned to it–(had no intentions of keeping it!) It was upon realizing soon thereafter the power of the press that I decided to guard this particular one with my life until finding someone in whose hands I could trust such power–I’m still waiting–as each day brings a new awareness of the enviable position and awesome power and responsibility entrusted in my hands–to incite, distract and divide or UNITE!–all of which I call “thermometer media,” that deals with half-truths, specializing in controversy, while simply registering the surrounding social or political climate.
Be assured, as the veins and arteries serve as the circulatory system of the human body, so, too does the media serve as the circulatory system of society’s body politic–the Black Press in particular! With this ever in mind, it would behoove us to more carefully scrutinize what we choose to feed through the arteries of a trusting society!
