Hosting
a Neighborhood Race Unity Dialogue
by William H. Smith, Ed.D.
Overview
To assist Bahá’ís in bringing the discussion of
race unity to an elemental meeting place, the home, and to an elemental
audience, their immediate neighbors. The purpose of this workshop is
to share with everyday “Johnny” and “Mary” Bahá’í
how they can use the Handbook for Neighborhood Race Unity Dialogues
to promote a central principle of the Bahá’í Revelation,
realization of the oneness of mankind through race unity.
Abstract
As Bahá’ís engage the work of promoting race unity
there are numerous opportunities for them to take a leadership role.
This role can oft times will be without fanfare but nonetheless require
substantial courage. One such opportunity for service is in hosting
a “Neighborhood Dialogue on Race Unity”.
Unlike “town meetings”, “public forums”, and “open
dialogues” in which attendees are self selected and generally share
similar belief systems regarding race unity, the Neighborhood Dialogues
on Race Unity is an activity which engages people on one criteria, they
live immediately next to one another. As such their views are random
and can vary widely.
Racial diversity is not a criteria for neighborhood race unity dialogues.
This has a practical as well as spiritual basis. In practical terms,
most neighborhoods in America are not diverse. From a spiritual perspective
the principle of the oneness of mankind is a universal reality regardless
of what range of ethnic or racial groups are present at a given location.
Neighborhood race unity dialogues do not skip over three blocks to
select folks who might hold a similar view. Hosting a Neighborhood Dialogue
on Race Unity does not require being “certified”, “trained”,
“experienced” or other qualifications. The basic criteria
is a genuine belief in the oneness of mankind and a willingness engage
a courageous act of service as evidence of that belief.
It has been frequently observed that discussions on race will be most
effective when they are engaged around the kitchen table. The purpose
of the Handbook on Hosting Neighborhood Dialogues on Race Unity is to
assist Bahá’ís in bringing the discussion of race
unity to an elemental meeting place, the home, and to an elemental audience,
their immediate neighbors.
The purpose of this workshop is to share with everyday “Johnny”
and “Mary” Bahá’í how they can use the
Handbook for Neighborhood Race Unity Dialogues to promote a central
principle of the Bahá’í Revelation: realization of
the oneness of mankind through race unity.
NOTE: The Neighborhood Dialogue
on Race Unity is easily adaptable to a college community dorm setting
and college students are encouraged to attend the session
Materials: The Handbook for Neighborhood
Race Unity Dialogues is available for $5. Please contact:
Contact Information: William
H. Smith, Ed.D.
E-mail: whscomtel@aol.com
