Photograph of a remarkable man, Louis G. GregoryMuch has been made of the "Greatest Generation", the World War 2 generation and yet another documentary has come out as many of those who lived through the horrors and heroism of that time join their brothers and sisters in the Kingdom of Glory. There is another "Greatest Generation" that I often think about that I have yet to see a huge documentary project focused on, the "Freedom Generation", those who lived and loved through the decades immediately after the ending of chattel slavery in the United States. It was this generation that produced spiritual giants such as Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory. That a people, fresh from two centuries of systemic, mass trauma and dehumanization could do anything other than perish is remarkable. But this generation did much more than survive, they thrived. This generation founded schools and colleges to educate themselves and their children, they successfully ran for public office, they created and supported black owned businesses of all kinds, and founded vibrant faith communities and social organizations, many of which exist to this day. Yes, they suffered discrimination and domestic terrorism on a daily basis, yet they also succeeded against the odds. When I think about this group of freed African slaves must have experienced, I wonder if I would have been able to do the same under those circumstances. I don't know if I would have survived, but because they did, I am here today. This is why it is not necessary for me to seek a sense of self-worth in a remote and romanticized African past. My heroes and heroines are home-grown, right here in North America. This is the people to which I belong, that new creation, black Americans. I'll end with Baha'u'llah's testimony regarding the spiritual qualities of the early believers in Persia. I think it could be equally applied to what I am calling the Other Greatest Generation:
"Be fair: Is the testimony of those acceptable and worthy of attention whose deeds agree with their words, whose outward behavior conforms with their inner life? The mind is bewildered at their deeds, and the soul marveleth at their fortitude and bodily endurance. Or is the testimony of these faithless souls who breathe naught but the breath of selfish desire, and who lie imprisoned in the cage of their idle fancies, acceptable? Like the bats of darkness, they lift not their heads from their couch except to pursue the transient things of the world, and find no rest by night except as they labor to advance the aims of their sordid life. Immersed in their selfish schemes, they are oblivious of the Divine decree. In the daytime they strive with all their soul after worldly benefits, and in the night season their sole occupation is to gratify their carnal desires. By what law or standard could men be justified in cleaving to the denials of such petty-minded souls and in ignoring the faith of them that have renounced, for the sake of the good pleasure of God, their life and substance, their fame and renown, their reputation and honor?... With what love, what devotion, what exultation and holy rapture, they sacrificed their lives in the path of the All-Glorious! To the truth of this all witness. And yet, how can they belittle this Revelation? Hath any age witnessed such momentous happenings? If these companions be not the true strivers after God, who else could be called by this name? Have these companions been seekers after power or glory? Have they ever yearned for riches? Have they cherished any desire except the good pleasure of God? If these companions, with all their marvelous testimonies and wondrous works, be false, who then is worthy to claim for himself the truth? I swear by God! Their very deeds are a sufficient testimony, and an irrefutable proof unto all the peoples of the earth, were men to ponder in their hearts the mysteries of Divine Revelation. "And they who act unjustly shall soon know what lot awaiteth them!"..
(Baha'u'llah, Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah, p. 181)
Dear friend,
ReplyDeleteI've just read Mr. Gregory's journals of pilgrimage and was marvelled with the descriptions and the words he so well used.
He was truly one of the heroes of the "Greatest Generation" as you called. A man that saw race unity when few understood what it was: a true heroe that only future generations will truly appreciate.
Sam, I whole heartedly agree. Mr. Gregory is someone I wish I could be more like.
ReplyDeletePhillipe, I'm so glad that you used this post and these Writings to forge a link between Louis Gregory and the dramatic events which transpired in Persia!
ReplyDeleteThe story of Hand of the Cause of God Louis Gregory, and his influence, have yet to make it into "mainstream" African-American history books. I wonder if some dedicated Baha'i scholar could or would begin documenting correlations, not only with this period, (Reconstruction, then the systematic dismantling of Reconstruction) but also correlating the anti-slavery movement that began in the late 1700's with events unfolding in Persia at the time.
I believe Baha''u'llah is the first Prophet to clearly introduce the concept that all societal progress is a direct emantation of the appearance of the Manifestation of God on earth.
The fact that "the world's equilibrium hath been upset through the vibrating influence of this... new world order" seems to cut out a fertile field for documenting the accomplishments and struggles of African Americans during these periods as being a direct result of Baha'ullah's appearance and pronouncements. And is it possible to separate African American history from American history?
Several clergymen, both pro and anti-slavery, as late as the 1850's, voiced from the pulpit the belief, held by most during that period, that the American institution of slavery was so deeply entrenced that "nothing but the hand of God can remove it." See: William Sill's book, "The Underground Railroad").
Liz W., sounds like you are already on a roll and should be the scholar who explores these issues. I'm a little distracted with school at the moment!
ReplyDeletethanks for the compliment, Phillipe- But I am not Liz W. Also not a scholar, and lacking in credentails in this arena. I would be capable, I think, of an essay on the topic, one to raise questions and provoke thought and discussion (like your blog does)
ReplyDeleteWhoops, sorry Judith. Pass on my suggestion to your daughter. Hopefully she will take up the challenge.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder if I'd have the strength and fortitude to do all that our ancestors did in this country to survive. I get bent out of shape sometimes when I'm sitting in LA traffic. That's nothing compared to the horrors the post-reconstruction era folks experienced. It makes me feel spoiled, petty, to complain about my trivialities when I remember what has come before me.
ReplyDeleteSo true Liz. This is why I think that we should call them continually to mind. We are because they were and they deserve our honoring them through never forgetting them. Cultures that revere than ancestors believe that as long as there is someone living who remembers those that are not, they remain connected to the world. We should also remember the millions who never made it to these shores and met horrible deaths during the middle passage. I believe this practice is good for the soul and as you said, has an effect on the mind. I'd be interested to hear ways in which you and others might try to and remember our ancestors.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing, right after I left the comment about ancestors, I found this article about the recently opened African Burial Ground in New York city. You can read about it by going to this url voanews.com/english/2007-10-09-voa6.cfm
ReplyDeletePeace Phillipe
ReplyDeleteAn interesting blog you have here. Insha Allah, I look forward to stopping by again in the future.
Abdur Rahman
Brother Rahman, I look forward to hearing more from you. Feel free to leave comments anytime!
ReplyDeleteDear friend, your post is wonderful and it is important to keep the examples of the Hands of the Cause of God at the forfront of our minds. "The Louis Gregory Project," is working to continue the legacy which Shoghi Effendi challenged us with upon Hand of the Cause of God Mr. Louis George Gregory's passing, that in the same telegram which named him a Hand, it also stated "to be emulated and glorified by rising generation in Africa".
ReplyDeleteWe are holding two Louis Gregory family reunions, one in Savannah, Georgia on Veterans day november 11th www.humanamity.org/youn/veteransday.htm
where we are putting up a gravemarker to his step-brothers father Louis Noisette who fought for the 33rd Reigment of the United States Colored Troops
and on the way down on November 10th im visiting the gravemarker put up last Christmas for his mother in Charleston South CArolina's Monrovia Cemetery aside his step father George Gregory for whom he is named.
Also, next year the entire family will gather in Charleston, and I would appreciate your help in locating all the individuals named after Louis Gregory who we will gather in a parralllel conference.
lexmusta@aol.com
Washington, DC
Leonard, thanks so much for making me aware of these activities. Given my studies I can honestly be of little help but would love to hear about these things as they unfold so I might include them in my blog.
ReplyDeleteGod is the Most Glorious!
Phillipe, God is Great!
ReplyDeleteLouis Gregory's family is having a reunion in Charleston in 2008. I am trying to organize a parallel conference of individuals named after him. It would be great if your well read blog serves to help connect us to the many Louis Gregory's in the world.
We will have 20 Louis Gregory Relatives in Savannah for the Veteran's day event.
November 10 2007 will be a fireside on the following topic at the Savannah Baha'i Unity Center:
A FIRESIDE DINER AND DISCUSSION OF THE SPIRITUAL IMPERATIVE FOR LOVING, ADVANCING & HONORING LEWIS NOISETTE AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS & COMMUNITIES OF AFRICAN DESCENT
Date: November 10th
Time: 5:30 pm (diner will be served)
Place: Baha'i Unity Center, 2416 Waters Ave.Savannah, GA 31404
Price: Free open to all
Subject: A fireside dinner and discussion.
America's African Descent community has the capacity, so well developed as a result of their long encounter with injustice, to recognize and respond to the vision of love and justice promised by a recognition of the Oneness of Humankind. Imbued with that vision, past and present sufferings are transformed into measures of patience, wisdom and compassion - qualities so essential to the effort to moderate the discordant ways of a confused world and aid the healing of its spiritual ills. What better than the transformed character of a bruised people to smooth the course, to offer perspectives for new beginnings toward world order!
In 1912 at Howard University, on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation 'Abdu'l-Baha, visiting America in his capacity as leader of the Baha'i Faith, spoke at Rankin Chapel declaring that the soldiers, like Lewis Noisette of the United States Colored Troops, fought not only for the emancipation of the enslaved in America, but proclaimed Universal Emancipation for all the world's enslaved and colonized! For, enslaving was not unique to America, the act of enforced, uncompensated labor and the humiliation it imposed has been a common part of mankind's history stretching back to ancient times. Recognizing that African Americans and Haitian Americans championed their own liberation with the loving assistance of European Americans helps to erase the scars so deeply etched on human conciousness.
European-Descent members of the Baha'i Community in America have been given a spiritual mandate to follow their leaders example and continue to love, honor and advance individuals and communities of African Descent. Indeed, the First Baha'i in American History, Thorton Chase, served as a Captain in the United States Colored Troops. In the Baha'i Holy Writings it states:
'Cementing the bond of brotherhood between [Americans] ... is not possible without [European Americans expressing] kindliness and recognition of equality. Each one should endeavor to develop and assist the other toward mutual advancement... Love and unity will be fostered between you, thereby bringing about the oneness of mankind. For the accomplishment of unity between the [African Descent American] and [European Descent American] will be an assurance of the world's peace.'
- The Baha'i Faith
'I wish to say one thing in order that the ... [European Descent Americans] become loving toward the [African Descent Americans] ... You must try to create love between yourselves; and this love does not come about unless ... the [European Descent Americans] are loving toward you, and endeavor to promote your advancement and enhance your honor. This will be the cause of love. Differences between [African and European Descent Americans] will be completely obliterated.'
- The Baha'i Faith
Laurel Grove Cemetery South features the gravesite of Mrs. Flora Butler Abbott, liberated from enslavement by Louis Noisette and other United States Colored Troops, who was the mother of Georgia-son and founder of the Chicago Defender Robert S. Abbott, one of the most famous American's to uphold the standard of the Oneness of Humanity and the Baha'i Faith. Louis Noisette's only son was still in the womb when his father was buried in Laurel Grove South, he went on to become the step-brother of leading American Race Amity Hero and Baha'i Saint Mr. Louis George Gregory who has a museum dedicated in his honor in Charleston, SC. Louis George Gregory would help introduce the Baha'i Faith to his step-brother's Haiti in 1937. (http://www.bahai.us/)