Black and White Thinking (Racism)

Black and White Thinking (Racism)

None of us are racist, are we?

Have you ever said, “I’m not racist but…”?

Actually there is a tendency to gravitate towards those who think, act, and to an extent look like us. Generally the term racism is used when a larger group favours their own kind, automatically discriminating against a smaller group.

“Cleanse ye your eyes, so that ye behold no man as different from yourselves. See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends, for love and unity come hard when ye fix your gaze on otherness”

                                                (Abdu'l-Baha)

Of course, we see differences in skin colour and in culture, but surely the difference being referred to here, is the inner essence of a human being.

We need to take this further, to a new concept - unity in diversity. If we learn to appreciate the differences between people and cultures, rather than resort to assimilation, we will have a much more interesting world.

“Humanity may be likened unto the vari-colored flowers of one garden. There is unity in diversity. Each sets off and enhances the other's beauty.”

            (Abdu'l-Baha)

If a garden has only a few special flowers, it is natural for a gardener to nurture, encourage, and safeguard these plants, but in the garden of society when the minority or indigenous culture is favoured, many people view this as reverse racism. Remember that, according to an earlier statement, the minority is automatically discriminated against, so surely some encouragement is appropriate.

At different times in the world’s history, different races or cultural groups have had the more developed civilisation. Through the empire-building times, those groups have used superior force of arms to take over other communities, often replacing the culture of those vanquished, with their own. The culture of the subjugated community would have evolved from their religious understandings, the firm bedrock their way of life was built on. All around the world we see the apathy and social problems manifest in oppressed communities, due to the loss of their cultural values. But some mistakenly interpret what they see and hear about these subjugated peoples as evidence of a racially weak people. The difference in genetics between any two random individuals is 0.1% and between the races is 8% of that difference.  And it has been proven through recent developments in genetic research that all of us have our origins in Africa.  So differences between communities must be differences of education.

 “Man is the supreme Talisman. Lack of a proper education hath, however, deprived him of that which he doth inherently possess… The Great Being saith: Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”

                                                                                    (Baha'u'llah)

This statement needs consideration. No matter our race our culture, these are gems inherent in every one of us.  They cannot be forced into us.  Like a diamond, we are in the rough and education is the tool that will reveal our treasures.