excerpt from THE NATIVE AMERICANS, AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY
"The allies of a chief, whether linked through economics or ritual, made regular visits to exchange gifts and reach consensus on important matters." p. 118
"In the majority of cases a person's status depended not on what he or she possessed but rather on what he or she gave to others. Riches mattered only as a road to generosity. To be rich when others were in need was to be a danger to the group. The accumulation in the hands of ...big men, or chiefs this often formed but a prelude to distribution. The carefully gathered wealth of a Northwest Coast leader disappeared in the lavish potlaches (exchange of gifts) that astonished Europeans....Iroquoia to the Northwest Coast, Indians created social systems that induced people to redistribute wealth and to reap status." p. 238
excerpt from REASON TO BELIEVE, by Kathleen Eagle, p. 376
"Summer is powwow time in Indian country. There's always plenty of food, games and contests, lots of music and dancing, and in the midst of it all there are 'giveaways'. People present gifts as a public show of appreciation, honor, respect. The giver calls a name, the recipient accepts a gift, and a simple handshake is shared."
I remember observing this giveaway custom at many powwows and also at conferences or performances. One of my Lakota friends said that almost half of his income was reserved for "giveaway", whether to friends or those who gave a service. The salary or compensation for the service was not counted as a gift. The gift was from the heart, not the pocketbook.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Monday, December 27, 2010
EXPLORING TRINIDAD
excerpt from TRINIDAD REMEMBRANCES (see Aug 31, 2010)
Most days were spent in exploring the area, making friends, and riding the bus into the nearby town. Everything was so green and lush. There were exotic flowers hanging from vines and trees. Orchids grew naturally in some of the inner parts of the island. Monkeys hung from trees and chattered wildly as you went by. I had a banana tree in my back yard. When I saw Zorida (see her story ZORIDA'S DREAM) work so hard every day cooking each meal, I showed her how to make a banana sandwich and then a pimento cheese sandwich. She served them to her husband Beepat and he loved them. He wanted them all the time until he discovered that it only took her five minutes to make them. He made her quit serving them, saying that her work was in the kitchen and it was not right that she had so much free time.
Going into town was very interesting. The streets bustled with people walking here and yon. They wore bright colors and were cheerful and friendly. The stores were mostly specialty stores, one serving meats, another fruits, another vegetables. My favorite food became fried shrimp wonton. It would be served in a heaping platter that would fill up both my son and I. Sometimes we would go to a place that served "devil dogs". In America, the equivalent was corn dogs. That became my son's favorite food. When we ate at a friend's house we were served rice, vegetables and occassionally chicken mixed with the rice. The head and legs of the chicken were really a test for me. I couldn't make myself eat them but I stirred them around so as not to look like I was avoiding them. I probably didn't fool anyone but I didn't want to be impolite.
I felt as though I had been given a gift in my search for oneness. One day I walked past a mirror and was jolted to see this white face. I had become so accustomed to the beautiful faces around me that my own white face seemed strangely pale. I learned down to the core of my being that we are one race. The mothers loved their children just as much as I loved Eddie, the fathers worked and struggled to make a home for the family against odds that would have broken many of those I knew back in the states. The music was very haunting and lovely or dramatic and surging with rhythm, the children were bright and cheerful and their laughter sounds the same all over the world. The yearning for God and a meaning for life is just as powerful no matter the color of the skin.
My money ran out and I had to come back to the states. I must admit I had very mixed feeling though. It took quite some time to adjust to seeing so many white faces. I was very uncomfortable in a community which was predominately white. Where was the rest of my family?
Most days were spent in exploring the area, making friends, and riding the bus into the nearby town. Everything was so green and lush. There were exotic flowers hanging from vines and trees. Orchids grew naturally in some of the inner parts of the island. Monkeys hung from trees and chattered wildly as you went by. I had a banana tree in my back yard. When I saw Zorida (see her story ZORIDA'S DREAM) work so hard every day cooking each meal, I showed her how to make a banana sandwich and then a pimento cheese sandwich. She served them to her husband Beepat and he loved them. He wanted them all the time until he discovered that it only took her five minutes to make them. He made her quit serving them, saying that her work was in the kitchen and it was not right that she had so much free time.
Going into town was very interesting. The streets bustled with people walking here and yon. They wore bright colors and were cheerful and friendly. The stores were mostly specialty stores, one serving meats, another fruits, another vegetables. My favorite food became fried shrimp wonton. It would be served in a heaping platter that would fill up both my son and I. Sometimes we would go to a place that served "devil dogs". In America, the equivalent was corn dogs. That became my son's favorite food. When we ate at a friend's house we were served rice, vegetables and occassionally chicken mixed with the rice. The head and legs of the chicken were really a test for me. I couldn't make myself eat them but I stirred them around so as not to look like I was avoiding them. I probably didn't fool anyone but I didn't want to be impolite.
I felt as though I had been given a gift in my search for oneness. One day I walked past a mirror and was jolted to see this white face. I had become so accustomed to the beautiful faces around me that my own white face seemed strangely pale. I learned down to the core of my being that we are one race. The mothers loved their children just as much as I loved Eddie, the fathers worked and struggled to make a home for the family against odds that would have broken many of those I knew back in the states. The music was very haunting and lovely or dramatic and surging with rhythm, the children were bright and cheerful and their laughter sounds the same all over the world. The yearning for God and a meaning for life is just as powerful no matter the color of the skin.
My money ran out and I had to come back to the states. I must admit I had very mixed feeling though. It took quite some time to adjust to seeing so many white faces. I was very uncomfortable in a community which was predominately white. Where was the rest of my family?
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
MY FAVORITE BAHA'I QUOTE
"If you desire with all your heart, friendship with every race on earth, your thought, spiritual and positive, will spread; it will become the desire of others, growing stronger and stronger, until it reaches the minds of all men"
Abdu'l-Baha, PARIS TALKS, p. 29
Abdu'l-Baha, PARIS TALKS, p. 29
Sunday, December 19, 2010
HE SAYS/SHE SAYS
excerpt from ANNE'S WRITINGS (see Aug 31, 2010)
Where is the gentle caress,
The glow in the eye,
The tenderness of a kiss,
The commitment to try,
The protective nest in each other's arms,
The little treats and favors that charm?
All I see is bare midriffs,
Skinny tank tops, tight blue jeans,
While crooning words flow, the eye shifts,
A night with a stranger it seems,
A hollow hunger that never ends,
A heart that cannot feel as it tries to mend?
I have freedom she says,
I can come and go and be.
I have power he says,
I can take and take for me.
And when a child begins to come,
Who will really give it a home?
Anne Respess 8-27-04
Where is the gentle caress,
The glow in the eye,
The tenderness of a kiss,
The commitment to try,
The protective nest in each other's arms,
The little treats and favors that charm?
All I see is bare midriffs,
Skinny tank tops, tight blue jeans,
While crooning words flow, the eye shifts,
A night with a stranger it seems,
A hollow hunger that never ends,
A heart that cannot feel as it tries to mend?
I have freedom she says,
I can come and go and be.
I have power he says,
I can take and take for me.
And when a child begins to come,
Who will really give it a home?
Anne Respess 8-27-04
Sunday, December 12, 2010
LEONARD PELTIER
Reflections after reading PRISON WRITING, MY LIFE IS MY SUN DANCE, by Leonard Peltier
This book is a remarkable revealing of the evolution of a beautiful soul. It is extremely moving and painful in the sharing of a life devoted to justice for a people whose only crime was being Indian. Side by side with the Holocaust of Jews, the slavery of the Africans we witness the violence and attempted extermination of the people who were and still are the stewards of "America the Beautiful" from it's very beginning.
He was convicted of the murder of two federal agents and according to the Freedom Of Information Act we learn that the trial was flawed and the "proofs" of his guilt were not there. He has been in prison since 1976 and has been denied parole numerous times though even the FBIs say they still don't know who really killed the two agents.
Inspite of severe health issues and loss of freedom he has grown spiritually into a remarkable human being. His words of the oneness of mankind are inspiring and challenging. Keep him in your hearts and prayers as I will.
This book is a remarkable revealing of the evolution of a beautiful soul. It is extremely moving and painful in the sharing of a life devoted to justice for a people whose only crime was being Indian. Side by side with the Holocaust of Jews, the slavery of the Africans we witness the violence and attempted extermination of the people who were and still are the stewards of "America the Beautiful" from it's very beginning.
He was convicted of the murder of two federal agents and according to the Freedom Of Information Act we learn that the trial was flawed and the "proofs" of his guilt were not there. He has been in prison since 1976 and has been denied parole numerous times though even the FBIs say they still don't know who really killed the two agents.
Inspite of severe health issues and loss of freedom he has grown spiritually into a remarkable human being. His words of the oneness of mankind are inspiring and challenging. Keep him in your hearts and prayers as I will.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
CLIFTON AT OLD RICHMOND
excerpt from COLORS OF MY WORLD (see Aug 31, 2010)
In the early 1980s I was involved in a Senior Citizens group in a black church community center near my home. The discussions were about oneness and the struggles to get to that . My children played outside with some of the children of the church. We opened with a prayer, had some history of a figure in black history who had made contributions to society (mostly unrecognized by the general population), some anthropological facts reinforcing our common ancestry, mentioning a psychological concept that might influence our reaction to others (thereby gaining better communication) and then had an open-minded, free-form discussion.
We shared recent examples in our daily lives in which the fruits of our study were manifested. Some of the stories shared by the elderly members of their ancestors treatment as slaves was heartbreaking. All the members participated. For awhile one of the members, Clifton (tall, distinguished, in his 70s) consistently gave challenging remarks such as "she won't acknowledge she knows you if you meet her on the street". I responded each time honestly and directly as possible but refused to argue with him. After about eight meetings Clifton sighed sadly, got up and said he guessed he better not come anymore since he disrupted the meetings. He really looked quite dejected). I felt immediately the same dejection, and told him that I had not come to drive anyone away. If I caused that then I should be the one not to come back. He quickly said, "no, you must come back". I responded that he must come, too. Even of we didn't agree we both could share our ideas and still be friends. He brightened up and became one of my dearest friends and strongest supporters when the minister or community accused me of weird things, (such as being a communist). He is the only one who did not missed a single meeting.
He had the most glorious, deep voice and sang some beautiful spirituals. He used to tease me and tell me I sang from my throat but should sing from my gut, deep down. He would come to visit but would only sit on my front steps to talk. He said my next door neighbor was a Klan member and he didn't want to give them any reason to slur my reputation. What courage he had and such courtesy for me!
In the early 1980s I was involved in a Senior Citizens group in a black church community center near my home. The discussions were about oneness and the struggles to get to that . My children played outside with some of the children of the church. We opened with a prayer, had some history of a figure in black history who had made contributions to society (mostly unrecognized by the general population), some anthropological facts reinforcing our common ancestry, mentioning a psychological concept that might influence our reaction to others (thereby gaining better communication) and then had an open-minded, free-form discussion.
We shared recent examples in our daily lives in which the fruits of our study were manifested. Some of the stories shared by the elderly members of their ancestors treatment as slaves was heartbreaking. All the members participated. For awhile one of the members, Clifton (tall, distinguished, in his 70s) consistently gave challenging remarks such as "she won't acknowledge she knows you if you meet her on the street". I responded each time honestly and directly as possible but refused to argue with him. After about eight meetings Clifton sighed sadly, got up and said he guessed he better not come anymore since he disrupted the meetings. He really looked quite dejected). I felt immediately the same dejection, and told him that I had not come to drive anyone away. If I caused that then I should be the one not to come back. He quickly said, "no, you must come back". I responded that he must come, too. Even of we didn't agree we both could share our ideas and still be friends. He brightened up and became one of my dearest friends and strongest supporters when the minister or community accused me of weird things, (such as being a communist). He is the only one who did not missed a single meeting.
He had the most glorious, deep voice and sang some beautiful spirituals. He used to tease me and tell me I sang from my throat but should sing from my gut, deep down. He would come to visit but would only sit on my front steps to talk. He said my next door neighbor was a Klan member and he didn't want to give them any reason to slur my reputation. What courage he had and such courtesy for me!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
EDDIE'S FRIENDS IN TRINIDAD
excerpt from TRINIDAD REMEMBRANCES (see Aug 31, 2010)
Eddie seemed happier in Trinidad than he had ever been anywhere else. He seemed to have a natural affinity for the native Trinidadians and they were drawn to his open-hearted friendliness. He had many playmates who continually sought him out. Though his only toy was a bag of marbles he seemed joyful most of the time. One of the mothers of the children he was playing with stood on my balcony watching as he and several Moslem children , several African children and a Chinese child played together. She said she had never seen the children mix together peacefully before but she liked it. She loved Eddie and his complete acceptance of all the kids as his friends. The kids seemed to respond to his attitude by being more open to others themselves. They taught him how to ride a water buffalo, how to drink from a coconut, and climb the skinny trees nearby. One of the boys seemed very close to Eddie and they spent the night at each other's homes two or three times a week.
Zorida, the lady who dreamed of me before I came to Trinidad (see ZORIDA'S DREAM 9-14-10), grew very fond of Eddie and would have a special treat for him when he came in from school. It was called char, and consisted of mango rolled up in curry powder and baked. Eddie would eat a whole cereal bowl of it every afternoon. She would worry that he was eating so much of it. She said, "not even we can eat this much. It is too hot."
Eddie seemed happier in Trinidad than he had ever been anywhere else. He seemed to have a natural affinity for the native Trinidadians and they were drawn to his open-hearted friendliness. He had many playmates who continually sought him out. Though his only toy was a bag of marbles he seemed joyful most of the time. One of the mothers of the children he was playing with stood on my balcony watching as he and several Moslem children , several African children and a Chinese child played together. She said she had never seen the children mix together peacefully before but she liked it. She loved Eddie and his complete acceptance of all the kids as his friends. The kids seemed to respond to his attitude by being more open to others themselves. They taught him how to ride a water buffalo, how to drink from a coconut, and climb the skinny trees nearby. One of the boys seemed very close to Eddie and they spent the night at each other's homes two or three times a week.
Zorida, the lady who dreamed of me before I came to Trinidad (see ZORIDA'S DREAM 9-14-10), grew very fond of Eddie and would have a special treat for him when he came in from school. It was called char, and consisted of mango rolled up in curry powder and baked. Eddie would eat a whole cereal bowl of it every afternoon. She would worry that he was eating so much of it. She said, "not even we can eat this much. It is too hot."
Monday, December 6, 2010
LOUIS GREGORY- RACE AMITY WORKER
excerpt from TO MOVE THE WORLD by Gayle Morrison and also from a brochure on Race Amity Conference in October, 1983
The first Race Amity Conference (Louis Gregory was one of the organizers and speakers)sponsored by the Baha'is of the United States was held May 19-21, 1921 in Washington D.C...The Conference took place during the most turbulent period of racial strife the country had ever experienced....The following is a quote from the brochure of that historic event.
"Half a century ago in America slavery was abolished. Now there has arisen a need for another great effort in order that prejudices may be 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 the engagement for right are all the inhabitants of the United States.
The great work we have to do and for which this convention is called is the establishment of amity between the white and colored people of our land.
When we have put our own house in order, then we may be trusted to carry the message of universal peace to all mankind."
He (Louis Gregory) talked of unity with diversity when the law of the land was "separatism." He travelled extensively thoughout America delivering the message of oneness of mankind during a time when black Americans (he was black) were considered by the Constitution, 3/5 a man. He spoke of interracial amity while his peers advocated going back to Africa.....
Mr. Gregory was born in Charleston, S.C. on June 6, 1874....He received a law degree from Howard University. During a time when most people in this country were not formally educated, this son of a slave had a law degree, worked for the federal government and was an attorney. If Mr. Gregory had done nothing more with his life, these accomplishments alone would have been noteworthy.
However, in 1909, Mr Gregory became a member of the Baha'i Faith. Its principles concerning the oneness of mankind, the essential oneness of religion, and the equality of men and women seemed to him the solution for the world's problems. It was also during this year he decided to become a worker for racial amity. This decision meant the end of a successful law practice and the beginning of years of travel, writing and lecturing.
He traveled thoughout the country speaking before religious, social, and academic groups. His audiences ranged in size from a small handful of people to thousands. Mr Gregory played an important role in developing and promoting the many Race Amity Conferences sponsored by the Baha'is. This vocation of Mr. Gregory comprised 42 years of his life: years of undaunted and uninterrupted service to mankind.
Mr Gregory died in July 1951. So outstanding had been his service, he was named a Hand of the Cause of God for the Baha'i Faith.
Abdu'l-Baha, son of the Prophet Founder of the Baha'i Faith said of Mr Gregory:
"He is like unto pure gold. This is why he is acceptable in any market and is current in every country."
The first Race Amity Conference (Louis Gregory was one of the organizers and speakers)sponsored by the Baha'is of the United States was held May 19-21, 1921 in Washington D.C...The Conference took place during the most turbulent period of racial strife the country had ever experienced....The following is a quote from the brochure of that historic event.
"Half a century ago in America slavery was abolished. Now there has arisen a need for another great effort in order that prejudices may be 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 the engagement for right are all the inhabitants of the United States.
The great work we have to do and for which this convention is called is the establishment of amity between the white and colored people of our land.
When we have put our own house in order, then we may be trusted to carry the message of universal peace to all mankind."
He (Louis Gregory) talked of unity with diversity when the law of the land was "separatism." He travelled extensively thoughout America delivering the message of oneness of mankind during a time when black Americans (he was black) were considered by the Constitution, 3/5 a man. He spoke of interracial amity while his peers advocated going back to Africa.....
Mr. Gregory was born in Charleston, S.C. on June 6, 1874....He received a law degree from Howard University. During a time when most people in this country were not formally educated, this son of a slave had a law degree, worked for the federal government and was an attorney. If Mr. Gregory had done nothing more with his life, these accomplishments alone would have been noteworthy.
However, in 1909, Mr Gregory became a member of the Baha'i Faith. Its principles concerning the oneness of mankind, the essential oneness of religion, and the equality of men and women seemed to him the solution for the world's problems. It was also during this year he decided to become a worker for racial amity. This decision meant the end of a successful law practice and the beginning of years of travel, writing and lecturing.
He traveled thoughout the country speaking before religious, social, and academic groups. His audiences ranged in size from a small handful of people to thousands. Mr Gregory played an important role in developing and promoting the many Race Amity Conferences sponsored by the Baha'is. This vocation of Mr. Gregory comprised 42 years of his life: years of undaunted and uninterrupted service to mankind.
Mr Gregory died in July 1951. So outstanding had been his service, he was named a Hand of the Cause of God for the Baha'i Faith.
Abdu'l-Baha, son of the Prophet Founder of the Baha'i Faith said of Mr Gregory:
"He is like unto pure gold. This is why he is acceptable in any market and is current in every country."
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
MY OWN STORY - ANNE
excerpt from RACEUNITY@ (see Aug 31, 2010)
In response to a general call to tell our individual stories of how we arrived at this point in our lives and began participating in this endeavor:
I started out in Charlotte, NC in 1937, white, southern, and in the country. My dad came from a farm family of several hundred acres near Charlotte, one of his parents was from a large country family and the other was a school teacher. Our ancestry came from Scot, English and Native American. My mother came from Georgia, a small town. One of her parents was from a small farm family and the other from an academic, socially prominent Atlanta family. Our ancestry in this side of the family was Irish, English and Jewish. Needless to say in those times, there was a lot of hostility between the in-laws on both sides.
(You have read of my first "race" memory in the Sept. 6, 2010 blog)
My dad and mother were not overtly hostile or cruel, but the patronizing, "lovingly helpful" attitude they displayed had a subtle message, which is harder to confront or resist than an overtly confrontational attitude is.
My exposure to those of color was very biased in that they were always in a subservient role. Not until I was an adult did I see and educated darker skinned person. I was in a dormant state of awareness until school classes began on the slavery and civil war subjects. I was upset with the stories of children being sold away from their parents, of the beatings and rapes. I remember being ashamed that I was from the South.
I began to try to learn for myself the history that was denied me in school, began to collect and study books written by minorities, sought out friends who were diverse but it was halting and fearful because of my natural shyness and the impediments placed there by family and society. The book that initially had the most impact on me was John Howard Griffin's BLACK LIKE ME. It touched and horrified me. It was written in the times of what I knew growing up. I had seen what he was talking about from the "other side". I had used the "white" water fountains and restrooms. I had served the blacks at the back door when I worked my way through school as a waitress. I was also the first waitress to serve a black man who sat at my counter, though the restaurant had put a divider rope around the empty stools and those occupied by blacks.
The next impacting set of books was a three volume compilation of letters and articles, from 1619 to 1966, written by slaves, farmers, authors, reporters for black newspapers, etc., edited by Milton Metlzer, called IN THEIR OWN WORDS. The personal details of the pain, indignities and rage of these people marked my soul. ( I will be quoting from these in future blogs.)
When I became a Baha'i in 1969, it was like coming home. Finally, I had clear guidance and approval from God to "walk the Walk" and learn humbly how to be one with all. Baha'u'llah's gift to me was to allow me to go to Trinidad seven months after I became a Baha'i and live among an entire country that was dark skinned. I saw three white people other than my son and myself in the mirror the entire time. My survival depended on the good graces of these people, my social life depended on these people, my son's playmates were the children of these people. As I lived day to day, in conversations, social events, over coffee or tea chats, my feelings of strangeness disappeared and an awareness of being in the same human family began to emerge. I remembered being startled when I passed a mirror and saw this white shadow go by. My first thought was "that person is so pale" then i I realized it was me. I had forgotten my own color. It was a pleasant, releasing thought.
As the years after I came back from Trinidad went by I began to involve myself in race unity work. As well as reading everything I could get my hands on, I made a conscious effort to "stay in diversity". I felt uncomfortable in an all white environment and raised my children to believe that only diversity of color and culture was normal. Everything else was abnormal.
In 1983 I co-facilitated a week long workshop at a Baha;i summer school on THE ELIMINATION OF PREJUDICE workshop with an elderly retired school teacher who called herself "colored". We laughed and cried together as we prepared this class and shared our "Southern" expeiences of growing up on opposite sides of the society.
In 1989 I went to my first Healing Racism Workshop and had the bounty of hearing Nathan Rutstein (author of many books on the issue) tell his "story". I was hooked. I went to several different series of these workshops, then went into training to be a facilitator. I did this for a while then helped others become facilitators. I was so enriched by the eople who attended and shared their stories and their hearts.
In the early eighties, I facilitated a Senior Citizens workshop at a black church for a year in which we learned together each other's stories and shared our growth process in getting to know and love each other. The stories of these elderly people revealed many of their early years of suffering and the history of thier family during slavery. I felt humbled and blessed to be accepted and loved by them.
In 1990 I attended a Race Unity Core Curriculum workshop at Louhelen Baha'i School in Michigan. This added so much to my ability to immerse myself in the subject in the Writings of the Faith. The precious souls who attended this with me will always hold a special place in my heart.
I had the blessing to be on a task force with Bonnnie Taylor, author and compiler of THE PUPIL OF THE EYE, to help set up a Most Vital and Challenging Training Institute. This resulted in a year long series of monthly four hour sessions exploring in depth the Writings of the Baha'i Faith on this isssue, the research made in the psychological, academic secular world on this issue, the historical facts that we missed in the public school systems and then the dialogue between the twenty or so individuals who had been present all the while.
Well, I think I went on too long, but there you have it.....
Love in the struggle,
Anne
In response to a general call to tell our individual stories of how we arrived at this point in our lives and began participating in this endeavor:
I started out in Charlotte, NC in 1937, white, southern, and in the country. My dad came from a farm family of several hundred acres near Charlotte, one of his parents was from a large country family and the other was a school teacher. Our ancestry came from Scot, English and Native American. My mother came from Georgia, a small town. One of her parents was from a small farm family and the other from an academic, socially prominent Atlanta family. Our ancestry in this side of the family was Irish, English and Jewish. Needless to say in those times, there was a lot of hostility between the in-laws on both sides.
(You have read of my first "race" memory in the Sept. 6, 2010 blog)
My dad and mother were not overtly hostile or cruel, but the patronizing, "lovingly helpful" attitude they displayed had a subtle message, which is harder to confront or resist than an overtly confrontational attitude is.
My exposure to those of color was very biased in that they were always in a subservient role. Not until I was an adult did I see and educated darker skinned person. I was in a dormant state of awareness until school classes began on the slavery and civil war subjects. I was upset with the stories of children being sold away from their parents, of the beatings and rapes. I remember being ashamed that I was from the South.
I began to try to learn for myself the history that was denied me in school, began to collect and study books written by minorities, sought out friends who were diverse but it was halting and fearful because of my natural shyness and the impediments placed there by family and society. The book that initially had the most impact on me was John Howard Griffin's BLACK LIKE ME. It touched and horrified me. It was written in the times of what I knew growing up. I had seen what he was talking about from the "other side". I had used the "white" water fountains and restrooms. I had served the blacks at the back door when I worked my way through school as a waitress. I was also the first waitress to serve a black man who sat at my counter, though the restaurant had put a divider rope around the empty stools and those occupied by blacks.
The next impacting set of books was a three volume compilation of letters and articles, from 1619 to 1966, written by slaves, farmers, authors, reporters for black newspapers, etc., edited by Milton Metlzer, called IN THEIR OWN WORDS. The personal details of the pain, indignities and rage of these people marked my soul. ( I will be quoting from these in future blogs.)
When I became a Baha'i in 1969, it was like coming home. Finally, I had clear guidance and approval from God to "walk the Walk" and learn humbly how to be one with all. Baha'u'llah's gift to me was to allow me to go to Trinidad seven months after I became a Baha'i and live among an entire country that was dark skinned. I saw three white people other than my son and myself in the mirror the entire time. My survival depended on the good graces of these people, my social life depended on these people, my son's playmates were the children of these people. As I lived day to day, in conversations, social events, over coffee or tea chats, my feelings of strangeness disappeared and an awareness of being in the same human family began to emerge. I remembered being startled when I passed a mirror and saw this white shadow go by. My first thought was "that person is so pale" then i I realized it was me. I had forgotten my own color. It was a pleasant, releasing thought.
As the years after I came back from Trinidad went by I began to involve myself in race unity work. As well as reading everything I could get my hands on, I made a conscious effort to "stay in diversity". I felt uncomfortable in an all white environment and raised my children to believe that only diversity of color and culture was normal. Everything else was abnormal.
In 1983 I co-facilitated a week long workshop at a Baha;i summer school on THE ELIMINATION OF PREJUDICE workshop with an elderly retired school teacher who called herself "colored". We laughed and cried together as we prepared this class and shared our "Southern" expeiences of growing up on opposite sides of the society.
In 1989 I went to my first Healing Racism Workshop and had the bounty of hearing Nathan Rutstein (author of many books on the issue) tell his "story". I was hooked. I went to several different series of these workshops, then went into training to be a facilitator. I did this for a while then helped others become facilitators. I was so enriched by the eople who attended and shared their stories and their hearts.
In the early eighties, I facilitated a Senior Citizens workshop at a black church for a year in which we learned together each other's stories and shared our growth process in getting to know and love each other. The stories of these elderly people revealed many of their early years of suffering and the history of thier family during slavery. I felt humbled and blessed to be accepted and loved by them.
In 1990 I attended a Race Unity Core Curriculum workshop at Louhelen Baha'i School in Michigan. This added so much to my ability to immerse myself in the subject in the Writings of the Faith. The precious souls who attended this with me will always hold a special place in my heart.
I had the blessing to be on a task force with Bonnnie Taylor, author and compiler of THE PUPIL OF THE EYE, to help set up a Most Vital and Challenging Training Institute. This resulted in a year long series of monthly four hour sessions exploring in depth the Writings of the Baha'i Faith on this isssue, the research made in the psychological, academic secular world on this issue, the historical facts that we missed in the public school systems and then the dialogue between the twenty or so individuals who had been present all the while.
Well, I think I went on too long, but there you have it.....
Love in the struggle,
Anne
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