Pupil of the Eye
Conversations
◈ If all of mankind is one family, and race only a social construct, why is it important to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our Black Baha’i spiritual ancestors?
◈ How can our own behaviours, attitudes, lessons, and subjects of conversations affect how the next generation perceives their historical heroes?
◈What are some behaviours associated with “retreat[ing] to one’s ethnic circle”? Why do these behaviours arise? How can we combat them?
◈What small action can you take to widen your own circle further? What does it look like to truly regard Black people as “the Pupil of the Eye”? What would be the reality of a community that puts this into practice?
Inspirations
UK Black History Month began in 1987 to highlight the history of Black people, and the history of racism, in Britain and the British Empire. Although Black British History cannot and should not be confined to one month, we didn't want to miss the chance to join with the powerful Black voices that are highlighting the struggles and triumphs of the African Diaspora in the United Kingdom.
In the Baha'i Writings, Black people have been likened to the pupil of the eye, the point at which light enters and sight is made possible. How long has the world been blinding itself by failing to understand how powerful, integral, and vitally important Blackness is to the health, happiness and stability of the Earth?
Far from pretending that we don’t see the differences between the light-skinned and dark-skinned peoples of the earth, that deep, rich darkness, singled out as critical for the spiritual and material progress of the world’s population by Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and Shoghi Effendi, should be honoured, praised and glorified.
This collection is a celebration of the beauty, nobility, and unimaginable value of Black culture, Black intellect, Black art and Black people - and a reminder that when we look upon Blackness, whether it’s in the mirror or in the person standing in front of us, we are looking upon the light of the world.
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