My favorite photo of myself ever. I'm about 2 years old I think. Probably taken in Nashville, Tennessee, 1977.Today I am 33 years old. I'm wondering why God saw fit to bring me into this world as a black male in America. God, the All-Knowing, the All-Wise could have chosen any number of physical vehicles for this soul's development but chose one with which America has had a long hate/love relationship. God knew better than I ever could the implications of my being born a black boy.
29. O SON OF BOUNTY! Out of the wastes of nothingness, with the clay of My command I made thee to appear, and have ordained for thy training every atom in existence and the essence of all created things. Thus, ere thou didst issue from thy mother's womb, I destined for thee two founts of gleaming milk, eyes to watch over thee, and hearts to love thee. Out of My loving-kindness, 'neath the shade of My mercy I nurtured thee, and guarded thee by the essence of My grace and favor. And My purpose in all this was that thou mightest attain My everlasting dominion and become worthy of My invisible bestowals.
(Baha'u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)
Though the full ontological significance of the racial dimension of my creation is beyond my grasp in this world, the Baha'i Faith has offered me at least a framework in which to make sense of the strange trip I have been on since February 1, 1975:
"Yet it is clear, too, from the Teachings that every people, through its own inherent potentialities and particular range of experience, will make its own distinct contribution to the creation of a new civilization. To the extent that African-Americans who embrace the new Revelation arise to do their part by adhering to the Teachings will the gifts that are uniquely theirs be realized in the splendors of the Golden Age. The "pupil of the eye", Baha'u'llah's metaphoric reference to Black people, will no doubt acquire clear meaning as they conscientiously strive over time to fulfill the divine purpose for which the Blessed Beauty came. There can be no doubt that Americans of African descent can find in themselves 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 brought by the Promised One of all ages. 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!"
(Response to an individual on behalf of the Universal House of Justice, June 3, 2007)
5 comments:
phillipe, what lovely and heartfelt reflections.
yesterday, my husband asked me "Do you know what day it is tomorrow?"
i didn't.
"the first day of African American history month."
and it's your birthday?
he's been researching Barack Obama's policies and thoughts recently, as he prepares to vote in the presidential primaries. i remembered that you had written about Obama's blackness, which took me to visit Los Angelista's blog as well as others'. i find myself being pulled into these thoughts, trying to understand the unique experience that is the African American's, and reflecting on my own sense of nationality, citizenship, and self.
my sister visited seattle recently, and we had a conversation about how acutely she feels her whiteness (she, like me, is half-iranian), and her privilege in this country. it is an uncomfortable feeling, and i know what she's saying, but that i think is one of the reasons i'm falling in love with america: it forces me to look at my choices, my privilege, my thoughts, and my ignorance ON A DAILY BASIS.
for instance, there is no escaping the sense of safety in my marriage when i overhear a cell-phone conversation at the laundromat: "No, people in a committed relationship like you and me don't need to get tested".
i don't take america for granted, and it means that i don't take my life for granted: i have to see this country and my life for what they are.
i hope to one day soon have time to write about this, because
anyway, your blog really is a daily necessity.
love from leila
p.s. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
It is so clear that you are making an impact and pushing the thinking of hundreds of people in a way that maybe you wouldn't if you'd been born in a racially privileged situation.
Clearly though, we are all happy you were born and are who you are!
Happy birthday, Brother Phillipe, or should I say, Brother Aquarian! I should have guessed your sign, actually. You are the epitome of a true Aquarian of a very high order. I'll be brief on the astrology tip: is an Air sign, symbolizing the tendency to deal with the world through the intellect, and for Aquarians, humanitarian "big picture" concerns. Aquarians were probably singing "We Are The World" long before Michael Jackson was a plastic surgery patient. The world definitely needs Water Bearers like you. :)
I do have some not so great news. I won't be able to attend the Day Finders conference. It wasn't for financial reasons, either. I was receiving a scholarship from my community, so all I had to do was get the travel fare. But that isn't the problem. While meditating, I was told to stay put because there is business that needs attending here in Sacramento. I don't know what the business is, but I'm guessing that it's either something to do with my parents, or my recovery work, or a combination of both. None of these issues are very pleasant, and I'd much rather be at Green Acre. But I have to be an adult these days and face my problems instead of running from them.
I am sorry I won't be there, but my arms are way too short to box with God. I'll be praying for the radiant success of the conference. Come back fired up, and light the rest of us up with the Fire of God!
That is a really great photo.
wow Phillipe! How I LOVE your style in your blog...this pattern of reflecting on the real conditions, thoughts and experiences of your life and then including a quote from the Writings. After reading the lead up to the quote the quote never fails to take on new and fresh and powerful significances for me. anyhow thanks again!
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