Comments on Bahá’í Thought: Black Boy

wow Phillipe! How I LOVE your style in your blog....

2008-02-03T17:13:00.000-03:00

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!

That is a really great photo.

2008-02-02T21:36:00.000-03:00

That is a really great photo.

Happy birthday, Brother Phillipe, or should I say,...

2008-02-02T02:20:00.000-03:00

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!

It is so clear that you are making an impact and p...

2008-02-02T01:26:00.000-03:00

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!

phillipe, what lovely and heartfelt reflections.
2008-02-01T17:54:00.000-03:00
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!