Sadly, at the current time, instead of a united effort to resolve the remaining challenges pertaining to racial prejudice in America, the matter all too often takes the form of political or contentious debate—whose aim is contest and the effort to defeat opposing views. In this perspective, thoughtful ideas that may provide insights useful to effecting lasting social change are distorted and exaggerated to emphasize divisions and make constructive exchange of views impossible. This has occurred with certain concepts and with ideas of particular thinkers, making it difficult to evaluate any merit they may contain without being drawn into a polarizing debate. Bahá’u’lláh has counselled His followers “not to view with too critical an eye the sayings and writings of men. Let them rather approach such sayings and writings in a spirit of open mindedness and loving sympathy.” Therefore, the friends are advised to avoid two extremes: either uncritically accepting every theory put forward, or dismissing entirely every theory because it falls short of the Bahá’í teachings or has flaws within it. Rather, it would be more helpful for the believers to consider such ideas as contributions to a public consultation that seeks to identify solutions to the problem of racial prejudice. Insights could then be drawn by the friends which they find to be compatible with the teachings to enhance their own efforts.
- The Universal House of Justice (From a letter dated 29 July 2021, written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer; US Baha’i National Administrative website)
