Highlighting Australia
- As a proudly Australian initiative, we’re excited to showcase a collection of Australian stories, music, tributes and more.
In this talk, produced by Bahaiteachings.org, race and culture activist Masud Olufani describes the first time a little white boy named Bobby called him the n-word. Racist words, Masud learned, are laced with a potent toxicity, some of which can last a lifetime. “The rust on the blade,” he says, “lingers long after the knife has been drawn from the wound.” In this compelling video, Masud tells the story of his growing consciousness as a Baha’i of the essential oneness of humanity.
For more videos like this, check out Baha’i Teachings’ YouTube channel or visit Bahaiteachings.org. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also listen to our blogcast with Rainn Wilson where he interviews Payam Zamani, co-founder of Bahaiteachings.org.
For more Baha’i-inspired talks, visit Baha’i Blog’s Soundcloud page: soundcloud.com/bahai-blog/sets/bahai-talks. You can also listen to talks on Baha’i Blog’s YouTube channel: http://bit.ly/2ia1Yxp.
Thank you Masud for a compelling story of your 7th year of life in an American school, where you are caught between the friction of truth and the spark of reality anyone of color knows to be false when hearing America is “the land of the free, the home of the brave” and the promises bound in the words of the “Pledge of Allegiance”. My heart cries for the pain you endured and the rage you released when a classmate could only see your color and not your spiritual essence. My son, Moriji, also at age 7, while walking in a school corridor in Sapulpa, Oklahoma was assaulted and condemned because of his Filipino complexion. The crocodile tears he shed moved me towards a total commitment to address Racism in America and across the planet. Shortly there after a small group of Baha’is in the Tulsa area engaged with Nate Rustein’s creation of The Institute for the Healing of Racism. A turbulent, painful, but productive 15 months later a whole new perception for “the Oneness of Humanity” was envisioned. No longer would I suffer the discomfort and occasional fear that arose while in the presence of people of color. “The truth will set you free” became a layered reality for a path of service to ALL of God’s creatures. Thank you for sharing your story and giving cause for me to share too.
James Sloan (January 1, 2021 at 7:09 PM)