1 C
Niagara Falls
Friday, March 29, 2024
Letter: Finding a path to racial equity

Dear editor:

Your friends and neighbours, followers of the Baha'i faith here in Niagara-on-the-Lake and believers in the oneness of humankind, have like most of you been stirred by the recent wave of peaceful demonstrations, both in the U.S. and here in Canada, calling for social change and particularly for an end to racial prejudice – the effects of which have been pernicious, soul-destroying and cruel over many generations.  

It's heart-warming and encouraging, to say the least, to see individuals of all races participate together in these widespread demonstrations.

A letter from the Universal House of Justice (the governing body of the Baha'i Faith in Haifa, Israel) to the Baha'is of the U.S. was shared with us here in Canada.  

It reminds us of the “long and thorny road” it has been on this path toward racial equity in the U.S., but this is, of course, equally true of our country.  

It reminds us all that “racism is a profound deviation from the standard of true morality” and that ultimately what will transform society is that love “ignited by the word of God,” which every faith proclaims as its central belief.

The letter, while reminding us that the change we need to see will not be easy to achieve, is confident that it will be achieved.  

It concludes with the assurance “that which is confirmed is the oneness of the world of humanity.” If anyone would like a copy of this encouraging and insightful letter, the local Baha'i community would be more than pleased to send you one.  

They can be contacted via www.notlbahais.org or at www.bahai.org.

Hugh Church

NOTL

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