all are human beings
God has created the world as one -- the boundaries are marked out by
man. God has not divided the lands, but each man has his house and
meadow; horses and dogs do not divide the fields into parts. That is
why Baha'u'llah says: "Let not a man glory in that he loves his
country, but that he loves his kind." All are of one family, one race;
all are human beings. Differences as to the partition of lands should
not be the cause of separation among the people.
One of the great reasons of separation is colour. Look how this
prejudice has power in America, for instance. See how they hate one
another! Animals do not quarrel because of their colour! Surely man who
is so much higher in creation, should not be lower than the animals.
Think over this. What ignorance exists! White doves do not quarrel with
blue doves because of their colour, but white men fight with
dark-coloured men. This racial prejudice is the worst of all.
The Old Testament says that God created man like unto His own image; in the Qur'an it says: "There is no difference in the Creation of God!" Think well, God has created all, cares for all, and all are under His protection. The policy of God is better than our policy. We are not as wise as God!
`Abdu´l-Bahá, `Abdu´l-Bahá in London, p. 55
color is of the least importance
Today I am most happy, for I see here a gathering of the servants of
God. I see the white and colored people together. In the estimation of
God there is no distinction of color; all are one in the color and
beauty of servitude to him. Color is not important; the heart is
all-important. It matters not what the exterior may be if the heart be
pure and white within. God does not behold differences of hue and
complexion; He looks at the hearts. He whose morals and virtues are
praiseworthy is preferred in the presence of God; he who is devoted to
the Kingdom is most beloved. In the realm of genesis and creation the
question of color is of least importance.
The mineral kingdom abounds with many-colored substances and compositions but we find no strife among them on that account. In the kingdom of the plant and vegetable, distinct and variegated hues exist but the fruit and flowers are not in conflict for that reason. Nay, rather, the very fact that there is difference and variety lends a charm to the garden. If all were of the same color the effect would be monotonous and depressing. When you enter a rose-garden the wealth of color and variety of floral forms spread before you a picture of wonder and beauty. The world of humanity is like a garden and the various races are the flowers which constitute its adornment and decoration. In the animal kingdom also we find variety of color. See how the doves differ in beauty yet they live together in perfect peace, and love each other. They do not make difference of color a cause of discord and strife. They view each other as the same species and kind. They know they are one in kind. Often a white dove soars aloft with a black one. Throughout the animal kingdom we do not find the creatures separated because of color. They recognize unity of species and oneness of kind. If we do not find color distinction drawn in a kingdom of lower intelligence and reason, how can it be justified among human beings, especially when we know that all have come from the same source and belong to the same household? In origin and intention of creation mankind is one. Distinctions of race and color have arisen afterward.
Therefore today I am exceedingly glad that both white and colored people have gathered here and I hope the time will come when they shall live together in the utmost peace, unity and friendship. I wish to say one thing of importance to both in order that the white race may be just and kind to the colored and that the colored race may in turn be grateful and appreciative toward the white. The great proclamation of liberty and emancipation from slavery was made upon this continent. A long bloody war was fought by white men for the sake of colored people. These white men forfeited their possessions and sacrificed their lives by thousands in order that colored men might be freed from bondage. The colored population of the United States of America are possibly not fully informed of the wide-reaching effect of this freedom and emancipation upon their colored brethren in Asia and Africa where even more terrible conditions of slavery existed. Influenced and impelled by the example of the United States, the European powers proclaimed universal liberty to the colored race and slavery ceased to exist. This effort and accomplishment by the white nations should never be lost sight of. Both races should rejoice in gratitude, for the institution of liberty and equality here became the cause of liberating your fellow-beings elsewhere. The colored people of this country are especially fortunate, for, praise be to God! conditions here are so much higher than in the East and comparatively few differences exist in the possibility of equal attainments with the white race. May both develop toward the highest degree of equality and altruism. May you be drawn together in friendship and may extraordinary development make brotherhood a reality and truth. I pray in your behalf that there shall be no name other than that of humanity among you. For instance we say "a flock of doves," without mention or distinction as to white or black; we apply the name "horse," "deer," "gazelle" to other creatures, referring to species and not to their variance in color. It is my hope that through love and fellowship we may advance to such a degree of mutual recognition and estimate, that the oneness of the human world may be realized in each and all present in this meeting.
Therefore strive earnestly and put forth your greatest endeavor toward the accomplishment of this fellowship and the cementing of this bond of brotherhood between you. Such an attainment is not possible without will and effort on the part of each; from one, expressions of gratitude and appreciation; from the other kindliness and recognition of equality. Each one should endeavor to develop and assist the other toward mutual advancement. This is possible only by conjoining of effort and inclination. Love and unity will be fostered between you, thereby bringing about the oneness of mankind. For the accomplishment of unity between the colored and whites will be an assurance of the world's peace. Then racial prejudice, national prejudice, limited patriotism and religious bias will pass away and remain no longer. I am pleased to see you at this gathering, white and dark, and I praise God that I have had this opportunity of seeing you loving each other, for this is the means of the glory of humanity. This is the means of the good-pleasure of God and of eternal bliss in His kingdom. Therefore I pray in your behalf that you may attain to the fullest degree of love and that the day may come when all differences between you may disappear.
`Abdu´l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Faith, pp. 267-270 [note: the phrase "colored people" was in common use during the time of `Abdu´l-Bahá]
gather together these two races
You have written that there were several meetings of joy and happiness,
one for white and another for colored people. Praise be to God! As both
races are under the protection of the All-Knowing God, therefore the
lamps of unity must be lighted in such a manner in these meetings that
no distinction be perceived between the white and colored. Colors are
phenomenal, but the realities of men are essence. When there exists
unity of the essence what power has the phenomenal? When the light of
reality is shining what power has the darkness of the unreal? If it be
possible, gather together these two races, black and white, into one
Assembly, and put such love into their hearts that they shall not only
unite but even intermarry. Be sure that the result of this will abolish
differences and disputes between black and white. Moreover, by the Will
of God, may it be so. This is a great service to humanity.
`Abdu´l-Bahá, Bahá'í World Faith, p. 359 [note: the phrase "colored people" was in common use during the time of `Abdu´l-Bahá]
is not all humanity one race?
Consider the creation of the infinite universe. This globe of ours is
one of the smallest planets. Those stupendous bodies revolving in
yonder immeasurable space, the infinite blue canopy of God, are many
times greater than our small earth. To our eyes this globe appears
spacious; yet when we look upon it with divine eyes, it is reduced to
the tiniest atom. This small planet is not worthy of division. Is it
not one home, one native land? Is not all humanity one race?
Creationally there is no difference whatsoever between the peoples.
How short-sighted we would be should we try to divide a room into the eastern and western corners. The geographical division of this world is an exact parallel. Through our ignorance and lack of viewpoint we divide this common home, we divide the members of this family into various races, we divide religion into different sects and then with those suppositional division we wage war against one another; we shed one another's blood and we pillage one another's possessions. Is not this unpardonable ignorance? Is this not the height of injustice? Were we just and could we observe without prejudice we would realize that there are no fundamental differences. For the last six thousand years there have been wars and contentions between the various nations and in every age we have had some great culminating catastrophe.
`Abdu´l-Bahá, Divine Philosophy, p. 178
prejudices have caused the world's sickness
All
prejudices, whether of religion, race, politics or nation, must be
renounced, for these prejudices have caused the world's sickness. It is
a grave malady which, unless arrested, is capable of causing the
destruction of the whole human race. Every ruinous war, with its
terrible bloodshed and misery, has been caused by one or other of these
prejudices.
The deplorable wars going on in these days are caused by the fanatical religious hatred of one people for another, or the prejudices of race or colour.
`Abdu´l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 146
God has not created men that they should destroy one another
Concerning the prejudice of race: it is an illusion, a superstition
pure and simple! For God created us all of one race. There were no
differences in the beginning, for we are all descendants of Adam. In
the beginning, also, there were no limits and boundaries between the
different lands; no part of the earth belonged more to one people than
to another. In the sight of God there is no difference between the
various races. Why should man invent such a prejudice? How can we
uphold war caused by an illusion?
God has not created men that they should destroy one another. All races, tribes, sects and classes share equally in the Bounty of their Heavenly Father.
The only difference lies in the degree of faithfulness, of obedience to the laws of God. There are some who are as lighted torches, there are others who shine as stars in the sky of humanity. The lovers of mankind, these are the superior men, of whatever nation, creed, or colour they may be. For it is they to whom God will say these blessed words, 'Well done, My good and faithful servants'. In that day He will not ask, 'Are you English, French, or perhaps Persian? Do you come from the East, or from the West?'
The only division that is real is this: There are heavenly men and earthly men; self-sacrificing servants of humanity in the love of the Most High, bringing harmony and unity, teaching peace and goodwill to men. On the other hand there are those selfish men, haters of their brethren, in whose hearts prejudice has replaced loving kindness, and whose influence breeds discord and strife.
To which race or to which colour belong these two divisions of men, to the White, to the Yellow, to the Black, to the East or to the West, to the North or to the South? If these are God's divisions, why should we invent others? Political prejudice is equally mischievous, it is one of the greatest causes of bitter strife amongst the children of men. There are people who find pleasure in breeding discord, who constantly endeavour to goad their country into making war upon other nations -- and why? They think to advantage their own country to the detriment of all others. They send armies to harass and destroy the land, in order to become famous in the world, for the joy of conquest. That it may be said: 'Such a country has defeated another, and brought it under the yoke of their stronger, more superior rule'. This victory, bought at the price of much bloodshed, is not lasting! The conqueror shall one day be conquered; and the vanquished ones victorious! Remember the history of the past: did not France conquer Germany more than once -- then did not the German nation overcome France?
We learn also that France conquered England; then was the English nation victorious over France!
These glorious conquests are so ephemeral! Why attach so great importance to them and to their fame, as to be willing to shed the blood of the people for their attainment? Is any victory worth the inevitable train of evils consequent upon human slaughter, the grief and sorrow and ruin which must overwhelm so many homes of both nations? For it is not possible that one country alone should suffer.
Oh! why will man, the disobedient child of God, who should be an example of the power of the spiritual law, turn his face away from the Divine Teaching and put all his effort into destruction and war?
My hope is that in this enlightened century the Divine Light of love will shed its radiance over the whole world, seeking out the responsive heart's intelligence of every human being; that the light of the Sun of Truth will lead politicians to shake off all the claims of prejudice and superstition, and with freed minds to follow the Policy of God: for Divine Politics are mighty, man's politics are feeble! God has created all the world, and bestows His Divine Bounty upon every creature.
Are we not the servants of God? Shall we neglect to follow our Master's Example, and ignore His Commands?
`Abdu´l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 148-150
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