A reposting of the Guardian’s message on this date in 2016, addressing the problem of racism/racial prejudice afflicting this American Democracy. A deeply rooted prejudice which stands in direct opposition to the most Basic Baha’i Principles of The Oneness Of Humanity and The Elimination Of All Prejudices, which lies at the heart of the current turmoil being witnessed in the Nation’s Capital and beyond.
Dear friends,
Are the Colorado police exceptionally trained?
In the 2012 Aurora Batman shooting massacre, white man James Eagan Holmes killing 12 and injuring 70 was taken alive at the scene of the crime by the Colorado Cops who also captured white man Robert Lewis Dear Jr. alive at the scene of the crime after the 2015 Planned Parenthood shooting in Colorado Springs.
But what about poor little 12-year-old boy Tamir Rice murdered in cold blood in Cleveland, Ohio?
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2014/nov/26/cleveland-video-tamir-rice-shooting-police
He hadn’t fired a shot. He had a plastic toy gun. Why wasn’t he taken alive? Why didn’t the Cleveland cops flash their lights, call out on the bullhorn, “Freeze! Drop your weapon or we’ll shoot!”? How long–as a nation–do we have to bear witness to this “strange fruit”?
In Colorado James Eagan Holmes, after he stormed a movie theater, opened up with live fire “dressed in tactical clothing, set off tear gas grenades and shot into the audience with multiple firearms” was simply arrested at the scene of the crime after mutilating 70 and killing 12.
Are the Colorado Cops simply exceptionally trained? Or in a police state do police lives matter more than black lives? Or as Dr. King said is it really a matter of “a war on poverty”, before he went down under the gun, like the Kennedy brothers and Malcolm X?
In any event, how much money should the city of Cleveland, the State of Ohio and the federal Government in DC pay in blood money to Tamir’s surviving family? A million dollars, 10 million dollars, 20 million? A billion? What is this human life worth? And shouldn’t the damages be made even higher due to the wrongful climate (terroristic) to which the people are currently subjected?
According to Shoghi Effendi (assassinated in London in 1957):
“Dearly beloved friends! A rectitude of conduct which, in all its manifestations, offers a striking contrast to the deceitfulness and corruption that characterize the political life of the nation [the US] and of the parties and factions that compose it; a holiness and chastity that are diametrically opposed to the moral laxity and licentiousness which defile the character of a not inconsiderable proportion of its citizens; an interracial fellowship completely purged from the curse of racial prejudice which stigmatizes the vast majority of its people— these are the weapons which the American believers can and must wield in their double crusade, first to regenerate the inward life of their own community, and next to assail the long-standing evils that have entrenched themselves in the life of their nation. The perfection of such weapons, the wise and effective utilization of every one of them, more than the furtherance of any particular plan, or the devising of any special scheme, or the accumulation of any amount of material resources, can prepare them for the time when the Hand of Destiny will have directed them to assist in creating and in bringing into operation that World Order which is now incubating within the worldwide administrative institutions of their Faith.
“In the conduct of this twofold crusade the valiant warriors struggling in the name and for the Cause of Baha’u’llah must, of necessity, encounter stiff resistance, and suffer many a setback. Their own instincts, no less than the fury of conservative forces, the opposition of vested interests, and the objections of a corrupt and pleasure-seeking generation, must be reckoned with, resolutely resisted, and completely overcome. As their defensive measures for the impending struggle are organized and extended, storms of abuse and ridicule, and campaigns of condemnation and misrepresentation, may be unloosed against them. Their Faith, they may soon find, has been assaulted, their motives misconstrued, their aims defamed, their aspirations derided, their institutions scorned, their influence belittled, their authority undermined, and their Cause, at times, deserted by a few who will either be incapable of appreciating the nature of their ideals, or unwilling to bear the brunt of the mounting criticisms which such a contest is sure to involve. “Because of ‘Abdu’l-Baha,” the beloved Master has prophesied, “many a test will be visited upon you. Troubles will befall you, and suffering afflict you.”
THE NEW SONG: 7 Vials of Pure Spiritual Democracy
These are the deeds of the real Knights of Baha’u’llah: The Two-Fold Crusade of the Valiant Warrior Baha’is.
PRAYER FOR AMERICA
“O Thou kind Lord! This gathering is turning to Thee. These hearts are radiant with Thy love. These minds and spirits are exhilarated by the message of Thy glad-tidings. O God! Let this American democracy become glorious in spiritual degrees even as it has aspired to material degrees, and render this just government victorious. Confirm this revered nation to upraise the standard of the oneness of humanity, to promulgate the Most Great Peace, to become thereby most glorious and praiseworthy among all the nations of the world. O God! This American nation is worthy of Thy favors and is deserving of Thy mercy. Make it precious and near to Thee through Thy bounty and bestowal.”–‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Strange Fruit –Billie Holiday: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4ZyuULy9zs
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