Improving Race Relations Through Community Service, Activism and Networking
by
Bahram and Sara Jalalizadeh
How a Dallas-area Bahá’í community initiated and developed a
Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration was the focus of this workshop.
The Jalalizadehs said the Bahá’í community consulted about what
service activity it could do to break down some racial barriers and
chose that celebration.
Goals were to serve the greater community, build positive images of
the Faith, cultivate relationships with the media, and teach by example.
The community committed to do this project for 12 years, and it was
slow at first. Interest in pursuing the goal flagged, even within the
Bahá’í community, they said.
But the event finally became so established that the city government
wanted to officially sponsor it and the Bahá’ís have moved on to
other projects.
Trust built with city government and school officials was underscored
by presentations in the town mayor and the school superintendent, both
stressing admiration for the Bahá’ís and the intent to continue
relationships. This seemed to be something to which audience members
were striving, and several expressed their appreciation for the presenation
and asked questions.
The Jalalizadehs said it was hard for officials to accept that Bahá’ís
wanted to offer such events without any return favors. They also had
to accept that Bahá’ís who receive their help will not campaign
for them.
It was stressed that programs must be well planned, inclusive and dignified.
The Jalalizadehs counseled, “Be patient and focused. … It can take
years to establish trust.” Now the Bahá’ís are sought to help
the greater community with other issues, they said.
—Barb Hancock, reporter
