Several central Illinois Baha’i communities gathered with friends and co-collaborators in Springfield over Mother’s Day weekend to mark the launch of an effort by Baha’is worldwide to engage with others in a spirit of service and unity. The ultimate aim of Baha’is is to foster humanity’s spiritual and material growth and to work with others […]
Mike Lang
Posted inOpinion
What whites in Springfield can do for racial justice
What whites in Springfield can do for racial justice GUESTWORK | Mike Lang Enough is enough. This familiar refrain from African Americans, who for generations have lamented the repeated deaths of their brethren at the hands of law enforcement personnel, have been joined in recent weeks by a diverse chorus of mostly young people across […]
Posted inOpinion
Bridging the racial divide takes building relationships
Eugene Robinson’s recent commentary following the shooting deaths of five Dallas police officers is profoundly insightful: “Black lives matter. Blue lives matter. Both statements must be made true if the heartbreaking loss of life in Dallas is to have any meaning.” Commenting on the Dallas Police Chief’s successful efforts to reduce the use of deadly […]
Posted inOpinion
Film introduces new effort for race unity
How did the racial stereotypes that permeate our society come into being? What are the most effective ways to get beyond these stereotypes and build a society worthy of our national motto – E Pluribus Unum? Is our nation becoming more unified or polarized on issues of race? These are important questions that are addressed […]
Posted inOpinion
Diverse faith groups talk about race
It has long been said that 10 a.m. Sunday morning, when many worship services begin, is the most segregated hour of the week. While it is true segregation marks many a Sunday service, there is a movement afoot in Springfield that will help counter segregation, and will help build a sense of unity and appreciation […]
Posted inOpinion
Senate opposes persecution of Baha’is in Iran
The Springfield Baha’i community is celebrating the recent approval by the U.S. Senate of a resolution condemning Iran’s continued state-sponsored persecution of its Baha’i citizens. Senate Resolution 75 was introduced by Senators Mark Kirk and Dick Durbin of Illinois. The Springfield Baha’i community is asking other area faith communities to offer prayers for the hundreds […]
Posted inOpinion
Race unity still a work in progress
Like other members of the Baha’i faith living in the United States, my heart was deeply touched 20 years ago when the U.S. Baha’i council issued its historic call-to-action entitled “A Vision of Race Unity: America’s Most Challenging Issue.” Today, 20 years and one African American president later, the time seems ripe to review its […]
Posted inOpinion
What is racial unity? Ask a child.
Ask a dozen people what racial unity is, and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers; ask a member of the Baha’i faith, and he or she will likely say that race unity is God’s ultimate destiny for humankind. Racial unity is an evolving concept that few can envision in its final form (including this […]
