The First Race Amity Convention

*A retelling based on Louis G. Gregory's report of the convention in **Star of the West**, vol. 12, no. 6 (24 June 1921), and Roy Williams's report of the Springfield convention in vol. 13, no. 3. Words in quotation marks are quoted from those reports.*

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In 1920 Agnes Parsons of Washington, D.C., went on pilgrimage to the Holy Land. There, Louis Gregory wrote, 'Abdu'l-Bahá gave her instructions to hold a convention in Washington for amity between the white and colored races.

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Mrs. Parsons carried "full responsibility" for the work. She was helped by Mariam Haney, Coralie Franklin Cook, Louise Boyle, Gabrielle Pelham and Martha Root, and eighteen other women lent their names as patronesses. The Washington House of Spirituality advised the organizers for many months. The First Congregational Church, which Gregory called "historically famous for its opposition to race prejudice," opened its doors for the meetings. Newspaper notices drew "fine audiences at every session."

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The convention met on 19, 20 and 21 May 1921. Its printed program read: "The great work we have to do and for which this convention is called is the establishment of amity between the white and colored people of our land." Among the speakers were Senator Samuel Shortridge of California, former Senator Moses Clapp, Theodore Burton of Ohio and Martin Madden of Illinois.

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Albert Vail spoke on "The Radiant Century of the Passing of Prejudice," Louis Gregory on "The New Springtime," and Coralie Franklin Cook on Black poets, beginning with Phillis Wheatley. Alain Locke of Howard University chaired the Friday evening session. Joseph Douglass, grandson of Frederick Douglass, played the violin, and the Howard University Glee Club sang. Each session began and ended with the audience singing the Bahá'í hymn "Great Day of God."

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On the Saturday morning Mountfort Mills, who was presiding, read a message from 'Abdu'l-Bahá to the convention:

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"Say to this convention that never since the beginning of time has a convention of more importance been held. This convention stands for the oneness of humanity. It will become the cause of the removal of hostilities between the races. It will become the cause of the enlightenment of America. It will, if wisely managed and continued, check the deadly struggle between these races, which otherwise will inevitably break out."

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At the close the chairman, Howard MacNutt, invited suggestions for turning the ideals of the convention into permanent organization. Gregory ended his report by saying that the people went home at a late hour seeming "possessed of a wonderful hope and happiness."

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That autumn the Bahá'ís of Springfield, Massachusetts, decided to hold a second convention and cabled 'Abdu'l-Bahá for His approval. The reply came three days later: "Approved; God confirms." The Springfield convention met on 5 and 6 December 1921, a week after 'Abdu'l-Bahá's passing.

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*This is a retelling. For the full reports, see **Star of the West**, vol. 12, no. 6, and vol. 13, no. 3.*

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