Arthur Parsons once commented to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that he wished all the blacks…
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When in Bahá'í history
Arthur Parsons once commented to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that he wished all the blacks would return to Africa, to which the Master wryly replied that such an exodus would have to begin with Wilbur, the trusted butler of the Parsons household . . . It is remarkable, then, that ‘Abdu’l- Bahá subsequently chose Agnes Parsons to spearhead the Racial Amity campaign initiated by the Bahá’í community and just as remarkable that she transcended her social milieu in order to carry out this mandate.
Source: Earl Redman, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in Their Midst, p. 98-99
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: race-unity).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see justice appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story illustrate the practice of justice?
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
For teens
- What is one quality you'd want to carry forward from this account?
- Which line in this story surprised you the most?
Reflection
- Sit quietly for a moment after reading. What does this story stir in you?
- Take one line from this story and let it stay with you today.
- What single image from this story will stay with you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "Arthur Parsons once commented to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that he wished all the blacks…" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which historical figure is featured most prominently in this story?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/race-unity
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