The centerpiece of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation is the oneness of humanity. This is reflected in \His earliest Tablets- like the Hidden Words itself- where Baha’u’llah exhorts humanity to view themselves as all one-

“Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over another”. 

As His Revelation further unfolded, the full implications of this principle were clarified as He exhorted leaders of human society and particularly His own followers to unity and the elimination of oppression. When ‘Abdul’-Baha’ came to America in 1912 to proclaim His Father’s new Revelation on the American continent, he encountered a society that remained profoundly divided along racial lines.  In story after story from this period, as well as his talks, we see ‘Abdu’l-Baha’ laying out the full implications of the oneness of humanity.

In one event, an official dinner in Washington DC, in which one of his companions- a young African-American lawyer named Louis Gregory- was placed at a table off of the main table because of his race, ‘Abdul-Baha’ arrived early and rearranged all the placemarkers so that Louis Gregory was given the seat at the head of the table, where ‘Abdu’l-Baha’ himself was supposed to sit. He later encouraged Louis Gregory and a young white woman named Louisa May Alcott to marry so that their union could demonstrate further the oneness of humanity.

In later years, Shoghi Effendi- who led the Baha’i Faith from 1921 to 1957- addressed several important and landmark letters to the American Baha’i Community outlining the challenges they must overcome to better reflect the principles of Baha’u’llah.  He referred to racial differences as the “most vital and challenging issue’ facing the American Baha’i community and it is still referred to by Baha’is in this manner. In the letter, Shoghi Effendi quotes from the Writings and talks of Baha’u’llah and ‘Abdu’l-Baha profusely.  It contains profound truths that can illuminate our current challenges in America today. An excerpt from Shoghi Effendi’s letter is below. It has been edited for brevity and the quotes have been spaced out to clearly distinguish them.

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“Freedom from racial prejudice, in any of its forms, should, at such a time as this when an increasingly large section of the human race is falling a victim to its devastating ferocity, be adopted as the watchword of the entire body of the American believers, in whichever state they reside, in whatever circles they move, whatever their age, traditions, tastes, and habits. It should be consistently demonstrated in every phase of their activity and life, whether in the Bahá’í community or outside it, in public or in private, formally as well as informally, individually as well as in their official capacity as organized groups, committees and Assemblies. It should be deliberately cultivated through the various and everyday opportunities, no matter how insignificant, that present themselves, whether in their homes, their business offices, their schools and colleges, their social parties and recreation grounds, their Bahá’í meetings, conferences, conventions, summer schools and Assemblies….

“O ye discerning ones!” Bahá’u’lláh has written, “Verily, the words which have descended from the heaven of the Will of God are the source of unity and harmony for the world. Close your eyes to racial differences, and welcome all with the light of oneness.”

“We desire but the good of the world and the happiness of the nations,” He proclaims, “…that all nations should become one in faith and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection and unity between the sons of men should be strengthened; that diversity of religion should cease, and differences of race be annulled.” “

Bahá’u’lláh hath said,” writes ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, “that the various races of humankind lend a composite harmony and beauty of color to the whole. Let all associate, therefore, in this great human garden even as flowers grow and blend together side by side without discord or disagreement between them.” \

“God,” ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá Himself declares, “maketh no distinction between the white and the black. If the hearts are pure both are acceptable unto Him. God is no respecter of persons on account of either color or race. All colors are acceptable unto Him, be they white, black, or yellow. Inasmuch as all were created in the image of God, we must bring ourselves to realize that all embody divine possibilities.” “In the estimation of God,” He states, “all men are equal. There is no distinction or preference for any soul, in the realm of His justice and equity.”

“God did not make these divisions,” He affirms; “these divisions have had their origin in man himself. Therefore, as they are against the plan and purpose of God they are false and imaginary.” “In the estimation of God,” He again affirms, “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 mattereth not what the exterior may be if the heart is pure and white within. God doth not behold differences of hue and complexion. He looketh 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.”

“Throughout the animal kingdom,” He explains, “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.”….

A tremendous effort is required by both races if their outlook, their manners, and conduct are to reflect, in this darkened age, the spirit and teachings of the Faith of Bahá’u’lláh. Casting away once and for all the fallacious doctrine of racial superiority, with all its attendant evils, confusion, and miseries, and welcoming and encouraging the intermixture of races, and tearing down the barriers that now divide them, they should each endeavor, day and night, to fulfill their particular responsibilities in the common task which so urgently faces them.”

(End of passage from Shoghi Effendi)

The passage taken from “The Advent of Divine Justice”, available in full here. Photo reflects ‘Abdu’l-Baha’s metaphor that humanity should be viewed as a beautiful garden whose different colors and forms add to the beauty of the whole.  Photo by S. Rasoul Jabari on Unsplash