Race Equity

Bahaʼís and Race Unity

Baha’is in North America have been working for racial harmony for more than a hundred years. Our communities have long welcomed people of all backgrounds, of all colors. We recognize that this ongoing challenge of bringing together people of all ethnic and racial groups is “the most vital and challenging issue” facing us today.

The Salem Baha’i Community began hosting “Conversations on Race” several years ago. We wanted to create an open and safe space to explore the many aspects of racism and begin to understand our own roles in eliminating prejudices and inequity. We use movies, books, YouTube, articles and current events as starting points for our discussions.

grid of photos of people from different backgrounds

Image credit: from the Personal Reflections project at BahaiBlog.net

Vision of Race Unity

America's Most Challenging Issue

“… The oneness of humanity is a spiritual truth abundantly confirmed by science. Recognition of this truth compels the abandonment of all prejudices of race, color, creed, nation, and class – of “everything which enables people to consider themselves superior to others...

“ The principle of the oneness of humankind ...implies an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced…

Healing the wounds and building a society in which people of diverse backgrounds live as members of one family are the most pressing issues confronting America today. Her peace, her prosperity, and even her standing in the international community depend to a great extent on the resolution of this issue.”

From the U.S. Baha'is

In 1991, the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States issued a statement on race unity to lift up the conversation on race in America. The Vision of Race Unity: America’s Most Challenging Issue is available online in its entirety.

Read the full statement

Bahaʼís of Salem, OR

Race Equity

Bahaʼís and Race Unity

Share your perspective

A Rich Tapestry

Vision of Race Unity

America's Most Challenging Issue

From the U.S. Baha'is

Eliminating Racial Prejudice

Race Equity

Bahaʼís and Race Unity

Share your perspective

A Rich Tapestry

Vision of Race Unity

America's Most Challenging Issue

From the U.S. Baha'is

Eliminating Racial Prejudice

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