The Illinois times. (Champaign, Ill.) 19??-19??, 1963-08-19

BREAK BARRIERS BETWEEN
RACE and MAN

week, the Baha'is have taken the
theme of breaking down barriers be-
tween men, between men and God
between religious. between classes
and between nations. The barriers
between races is one which is evident
on the front pages of our newspapers
and IN cur magazines.
In May of 1921, - years ago. the
BIhai> called together in the nations
capitol the first convention of amity
between white and colored races in
America perhaps in the world. 1t
lasted for three days and was time
of fricndIine>S and happiness The
program quoting from the sacred
scriptures of the world, stated its pur-
pose in these words
Half a century ago in America
slavery WIS abolished. Now there
has arisen a need for another great
effort IN order that prejudice may
hc overcome Correction of the
present wrong requires no army, for
the field Of action is the hearts of
our citizens The instrument to be
used is Kindness. the ammunition.
understanding. The actors in this
engagement for the right are the
inhabitants Of these United States.
Ihe great work We have to de and
for which this convention IS called
IS the establishment of amt, be
tween The white and colorcd people
of cur land When we have put
our own house in order. then we
may be trusted TO carry the message
Of UNIVERSAL peace 10 all mankind.
MANY people instrumental IN calling
this convention had received their
inspiration from Abdul BAHIA who
Travelled across he United States in
1912 and who ard in one of his
lectures that the peace Of the world
could never be truly established until
the United States solved lis race prob
lem When | FIRST heard of this state
ment il seemed quite extreme. hut
the more of history | see unfold and
the more | know Of the world we live
IN. the more see that the people
in the United States cannot expect the
nat'cnS Of the world to believe what
we say about democracy or about
human dignity until We completely rid
''r nation Of racial discrimination As
long as events like the recent ones
in Birmingham are lived and reported
We waste our efforts to demonstrate
democracy To the world which is IRE
iomlnantlv dark->kinned and which
Nmpathize> with our Negro citizens.
NAM p>oP.c still question the prac
oahh al true racial UNITY and others
* about whether or not it IS possible.
Fe Baha'i writings say. A few IN
ware OF the power latent IN human
p ieaNor, consider this matter as
'hlN Impractical. ma, even beyond
le scope of mans utmost efforts.
uch is not the case MANY a cause
hieh past ages have regarded as
urek visionary, vet in this day has
ccome most easy and practicable. +"
= read further. 'Endeavor. ceaseless
ndeaNor. is required Nothing short
an indomitable determination can
oSSibly achieve it,
Baha'iS believe that God has given
y prescription TO cure this illness in
ur land. The Holy Scriptures saws:
The utterance of God is a lamp.
hose light are these words: Ye are
lie fruits of one tree. and the leaves B.
one branch. So powerful is the al
CHIT of unity that ii can illuminate the c
hole earth" ps
wenty people from Champaign and cl
rbana recently felt the brightness of 6
us light of unity in World Congress D