Daily Frameworks for 19 January 2024

Istiqlál, 01 Sulțán (Sovereignty), 180 B.E.

Arising to Serve

Quotes for Reflection:

Consider the prejudice of patriotism. This is one globe, one land, one country. God did not divide it into national boundaries. He created all the continents without national divisions. Why should we make such division ourselves? These are but imaginary lines and boundaries. Europe is a continent; it is not naturally divided; man has drawn the lines and established the limits of kingdoms and empires. Man declares a river to be a boundary line between two countries, calling this side French and the other side German, whereas the river was created for both and is a natural artery for all. Is it not imagination and ignorance which impels man to violate the divine intention and make the very bounties of God the cause of war, bloodshed and destruction? Therefore, all prejudices between man and man are falsehoods and violations of the will of God. God desires unity and love; He commands harmony and fellowship. Enmity is human disobedience; God Himself is love. — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ¹

Prejudices of all kinds—whether religious, racial, patriotic or political—are destructive of divine foundations in man. All the warfare and bloodshed in human history have been the outcome of prejudice. This earth is one home and native land. God has created mankind with equal endowment and right to live upon the earth. As a city is the home of all its inhabitants although each may have his individual place of residence therein, so the earth’s surface is one wide native land or home for all races of humankind. Racial prejudice or separation into nations such as French, German, American and so on is unnatural and proceeds from human motive and ignorance. All are the children and servants of God. Why should we be separated by artificial and imaginary boundaries? In the animal kingdom the doves flock together in harmony and agreement. They have no prejudices. We are human and superior in intelligence. Is it befitting that lower creatures should manifest virtues which lack expression in man? — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ²

Question for Consideration:

What would you answer if someone who read the above quotes asked: “Can we have prejudice and not know it?” ³

Google Bard Response:

The quotes by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá perfectly illustrate that prejudice can exist even when we’re not consciously aware of it. Here’s how I would answer someone who asked if we can have unconscious prejudice:

Yes, unconscious prejudice, also known as implicit bias, is a genuine phenomenon. It refers to the subtle and often automatic associations we make between certain groups of people and positive or negative attributes without even realizing it. These biases can be formed through various factors, including:

• Upbringing and socialization: We can often absorb biases from our families, communities, and the media we consume without questioning them.
• Limited exposure and interaction: Lack of contact with diverse groups can reinforce negative stereotypes and misconceptions.
• Evolutionary psychology: Some argue that unconscious biases may have evolved to categorize people and make decisions quickly in a threatening environment.
  

The consequences of unconscious prejudice can be significant, even if we’re unaware of them. It can lead to:

• Discriminatory behavior: We may unknowingly treat people differently based on their race, gender, religion, or other group affiliations, even if we don’t intend to be unfair.
• Microaggressions: These subtle but hurtful comments or actions can make marginalized individuals feel unwelcome or excluded.
• Perpetuation of inequality: Unconscious biases can contribute to systemic inequalities that disadvantage certain groups in areas like education, employment, and housing.
  

The good news is that unconscious prejudice can be addressed. Here are some steps we can take:

• Become aware of our own biases: We can take implicit bias tests and reflect on our experiences and interactions to identify areas where we may have unconscious biases.
• Seek out diverse perspectives: Make an effort to connect with people from different backgrounds and learn about their experiences.
• Challenge our assumptions: Question our thoughts and beliefs about different groups and be open to new information.
• Speak up against discrimination: When we witness or experience discrimination, it’s critical to speak up and challenge it, even if it’s uncomfortable.
  

By acknowledging the existence of unconscious prejudice and taking steps to address it, we can work towards creating a more just and equitable world for everyone.

Remember, we are all a part of a global community, and our actions, even the seemingly small and unconscious ones, can have a ripple effect. Let’s strive to be more mindful of our biases and work towards building a world where everyone feels valued and respected.

1. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 299-300.https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/21#921720047. ↩
2. ’Abdu’l-Bahá. The Promulgation of Universal Peace: Talks Delivered by ʻAbduʼl-Bahá during His Visit to the United States and Canada in 1912. Edited by Howard MacNutt. 2nd ed. Wilmette, Ill: Baháʼí Publishing Trust, 1982, 287-288.https://www.bahai.org/library/authoritative-texts/abdul-baha/promulgation-universal-peace/20#730215717. ↩
3. Ruhi Institute. Arising to Serve. 2.1.1.PE September 2020. Vol. Book 2. 6 vols. Embarking on a Path of Service. Cali, Columbia: Ruhi Foundation, 2020, 27-28. https://www.ruhi.org/en/walking-a-path-of-service/#AS. ↩