The San Leandro Baha'i Community Web Page

The San Leandro Bahá'í Community Calendar

Nov, Dec 2007 Jan 2008

In the Bahá'í opinion we are all the flowers of one garden. Our children are raised in multiracial, multicultural communities, which reflect the principle of unity in diversity. The cohesiveness of the Bahá'í community is due not to a mere tolerance for those who may be different, but to a genuine, deeply-rooted sense of justice and respect for all members of the human family without regard to sex, race or ethnic persuasion.

The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established. It is of paramount importance that we recognize our commonality as members of the human race, that we realize the necessity for us to be able to live in our communities (as well as the world) as one family. It is the responsibility of each of us to do what we can to bring about the unity of humanity. The goal being "Unity in Diversity."

We believe:

1.  The solution to the problem of racism is ultimately spiritual.
2.  The world is a diverse place and we must learn to live together.
3.  Diversity is an asset that can enrich us all.
4.  Every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or
       economic status is a valuable part of society.
5.  Racism is a disease, transmitted subconsciously from parents
       to children in societies where it is not confronted with factual
       information.
6. The process of healing racism is an essential part of establishing
       unity among humankind.
7.  Our best hope is to inoculate (teach) our children against racism.
8.  Healing can occur through positive association with others who
       are different.
9.  Healing racism and promoting unity requires patience and
       understanding.
10.  Change and healing begin with us.

Frankly, we should be ashamed to pass down to our children the current state of racial affairs in this country. Although some improvements have occurred through legislation, the present condition of race relations is like that of a body without a heart. How can we teach our children about equality when we, as adults, have not learned to appreciate and value racial and ethnic diversity. We can't turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to racial divisions any longer. We need to bring all people closer together. We need to build millions of personal bridges of friendship and understanding.

To this end, the Bahá'ís throughout the United States have orchestrated a series of events that celebrate the diversity of the human race, a television show that highlights the importance of this issue to the Bahá'ís, and literally thousands of intimate discussion sessions, mostly held in the homes of Bahá'í families.

"So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth." Bahá'u'lláh

For more information about these discussions or
about the Bahá'í Faith in San Leandro, CA.
Please write an E-mail to:The Bahá'ís of San Leandro

'The Vision of Race Unity' - A statement of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States is available here.

This web page was created by Larry Curtis - (HCWTcurtis@msn.com)
Last updated 12-03-07