Photo of Baha'is laying roses at the resting place of Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory and his wife Louisa GregoryI'm goin' back to the Father
when I die
I'm goin' back to the Father
when I die
I'm goin' back to the Father
when I die
Back to the Father when I die
These are the words to the first verse of a song that was taught to us by the incomparable Van Gilmer at this years Black Men's Gathering Leadership Forum held at Green Acre Baha'i School in Eliot, Maine. The purpose the Leadership Forum is to convene those who have assisted the development of the activities of the Black Men's Gathering in some forty locations throughout the United States as well as South America, Africa, and the Caribbean. The mission of the Black Men's Gathering (or BMG) was captured eloquently by the international governing body of the Baha'i Faith the Universal House of Justice:
“...the Gathering is a distinctive activity with a different agenda. It does not concern itself chiefly with race unity in the Bahá'í community as such. It addresses itself to a special situation faced by a minority that has suffered severe social and spiritual afflictions imposed upon it by the majority. The program of the Black Men's Gatherings is unique and exemplary as an avenue for transcending the legacy of anguish, frustration and social pathology that is peculiar to black men in the United states; it urges them towards a fullness of life within the spirit and principles of the Bahá'í Revelation.”
(The Universal House of Justice, 2000 Mar 14)
The Forum this year began as always with a day long study of the 2008 Ridvan Message from the Universal House of Justice which was addressed to the Baha'is of the World with a focus on applying its guidance to the activities of the BMG. This included sharing the message of the Baha'i Faith with peoples of African descent and serving the needs of black pre-teens (or junior youth). These two important activities emerged as the overall focus of consultation and reflection the entire week. Regarding junior youth, we heard a panel of black men sharing their experiences working with this population in various places including, Bermuda, Chicago, Savannah, Georgia, and Los Angeles. We also viewed a short video presentation about an initiative called the "Urban Juke Joint" which uses poetry and hip-hop to building community and promote the spiritual development of urban youth in New York City. Two new initiatives were taken on by the BMG this year including a "BMG fellows" program providing a training retreat for black youth from the South to empower their participation in the Baha'i Faith in their local communities and "BMG reads" a literacy program in collaboration with the "Baha'i-inspired" Health for Humanity organization. Additionally a gathering for black Baha'i youth similar to the "BMG fellows" initiative will be held at Greenacre next summer including youth from 15 to young adults who are 35. The week ended with a triumphant devotional meeting embracing the wider community and procession to the resting place of Hand of the Cause of God Louis G. Gregory and his wife Louisa Gregory.
This year's forum made a deep impression on me as far as the importance of taking seriously the spiritual and moral empowerment of youth of African descent through the teachings of Baha'u'llah. I'm looking forward to discovering this year how I can contribute to loving and serving this important population more effectively.
4 comments:
Phil,
This is a very beautiful post. Thank you for quoting the Universal House of Justice. Their eloquent description of the BMG raises it up as an example to all Baha'is of the regenerative power of this Revelation.
From the outset, people of African descent have been at the heights of devotion to the Blessed Beauty. As our spiritual brothers excel along the path of service, they have always and will continue to enrich and invigorate all our efforts.
yours
jalal
I agree with Jalal's comment. However, I wonder if there are those who are uncomfortable with the Black Men's Gathering?
I say this because I am sure that there are those amongst our Baha'i and non-Baha'i friends who do not understand that if the Baha'i community is to be fully inclusive it has to make space, when appropriate, for ways of meeting the needs of specific groups of people.
I hope this comes over OK, Phillipe. I think the BMG is a wonderful thing and could be a model for other minorities (for example the Roma in Europe) that have "suffered severe social and spiritual afflictions imposed upon it by the majority", provided, of course, the purpose of the group is to urge "them towards a fullness of life within the spirit and principles of the Bahá'í Revelation.”
This really runs wonderfully counter to so much of the received PC "wisdom" about counteracting racism.
God bless you!
Barney,
I think you make a wonderful point. There are a few in the US who don't necessarily understand the nature of the Gathering. In the letter referenced above by Phil, the Universal House of Justice clearly describes the unique role of the Gathering.
The Supreme Institution of the Bahá'í Faith, goes on to explain to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United States, "It has also to be borne in mind how strong is the tendency among your compatriots to rush into popularizing notions and concepts that appeal to their imagination - a tendency that often allows for only a superficial treatment of seriously important things. ... the friends from other ethnic groups might be similarly influenced. Nothing could be more damaging to the reputation of the Bahá'í community than to have groups bearing various cultural identities springing up all over the country in the name of the Bahá'í Faith with apparently different ethnic versions of what should be a united effort by the diverse elements of the community to realize a common goal, namely, the oneness of humankind."
Clearly there is a need for balance. If we all understood the role of the gathering, this would be easier to accomplish.
I think that one of the more unique characteristics of the suffering of men of African descent in this country is that it has and continues to be a public dehumanization. The Gathering may not need to be repeated with every minorities because the transformation it creates will permeate. Likewise, the individual heritages of varied peoples may provide more effective ways for them to grow "towards a fullness of life within the spirit and principles of the Bahá'í Revelation."
Of course people, like ourselves, who are not suffering from long-term racism (I'm Persian), will not need such a gathering. Instead I feel like my role is to simply appreciate and support the efforts of ALL my brothers and sisters in developing a just and balanced human family.
I am sure, from reading your blog and your comments here, that you already understand all of this, but am stating for the benefit of those who may stumble on this site.
"Therefore, Bahá’u’lláh hath said that the various races of humankind lend a composite harmony and beauty of color to the whole. Let all associate, therefore, in this great human garden even as flowers grow and blend together side by side without discord or disagreement between them." -‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Barney,
At first blush the BMG runs counter to so much we hope for and work for in the Faith. And it is a contradiction to unity, for it represents the days of the Gentleman's Club - exclusivity, entry by invitation only, mere blackness is not enough.
However, sometimes the very germs that kill may also, when weakened, serve as a vaccine. We have millions of instances of this social vaccine -- it is called friendship. Usually our friends are those with whom we share something in common; it may not be much, joy in fishing, a love of books -- but it is the glue that binds, a lesser peace, if you will. And it is this commonality that serves as an entry on other levels. The proud mullah may lose a debate to a blacksmith, but he will look to someone of his own society to explicate the enigma.
I inadvertently attended part of a BMG once. My wife and I were walking into the Sarah Farmer Inn (Greenacre) on a sunny day. In the entry a jovial/rejoicing/warm black gentleman (Billy Roberts) called out to us to come in for lunch. Upon entering the dining room my very non-black wife and her very mixed husband found themselves among a vast crowd of black men enjoying their lunch. We found a table with four men already feasting, verbally and gastronomically (good food). Throughout the meal one of our fellow diners threw lowering glances our way clearly implying that if we didn't kick puppies it was only because we were unfamiliar with the sport. After we left I reflected upon that fellow's attitude. My wife and I had stolen something from him; it was just twenty minutes of perfect comradery, but nevertheless it was very precious to him. I would never wish to do the same again.
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