THE MOST VITAL AND CHALLENGING ISSUE

excerpts from ADVENT OF DIVINE JUSTICE, by Shoghi Effendi Rabbani and my own COLORS OF MY WORLD

In the early 1980s my enthusiasm for oneness continually heightened but I began to see and feel slowness and resistance in some toward filling in the gaps, empathizing with the pains, supporting the daily struggles in the work place and social activities.  There is a powerful trend toward "everything is alright - just go forward".  I began to feel a restless urgency to say, "we need a foundation of historical and personal knowledge of the struggles endured and which are still pervasive - to be as supportive and loving as the most vital and chllenging issue requires."

I asked a member of the National Education Committee of the Baha'is of the UNited States for suggestions on how I could increase my growth and effectiveness in service to oneness.  Her suggestion was to learn the quote in ADVENT OF DIVINE JUSTICE by the Guardian of the Faith Shoghi Effendi Rabbani to such an extent that it became a part of my inner reality. This section in the book is about 4 pages long but so meaningful.

"As to racial prejudice, the corrosion of which, for well nigh a century, has bitten into the fiber, and attacked the whole social structure of American society,  it should be regarded as constituting the most vital and challenging issue confronting the Baha'i community."  (not just Baha'is but all who believe in unity)

The "ceaseless efforts required" became a committment for the rest of my life.  His instructions are so specific, for both the white and black, young and old, high and low, that there is no reason we cannot, if we but endeavor, eradicate this problem from our hearts, our comunities and our land.  The words resonated in my soul, my thoughts and my dreams.

 Love in the struggle,
Anne