Junior Youth

On Wednesday January 16th I attended my junior youth group and really all we did that day was discuss what are we going to do for the Junior youth. Like doing a social service project like going to an old folks home and help like cleaning or picking up garbage off the streets or teach the faith. Then we got to know each other a little more.

Newtown shooting

On Christmas vacation I was grateful that my dad brought me to Newtown that is because this is where those children died at the gun shooting and I saw many tears and broken hearts. There were stuffed animals beside the victims names.

Louis Gregory

In 1912, American society practiced strict racial segregation. Blacks or “coloreds” as they were then known were second class citizens by law. In 1896 the Supreme Court (Plessy v. Ferguson) permitted enforcement of segregation wherever races comingled. Indeed, 30 of the 48 states enforced laws banning interracial marriage.

Against this backdrop ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived in April 1912, ready to dramatically demonstrate by word and deed the Bahá’í teaching of the ‘Oneness of Mankind’.

Louis George Gregory (1874-1951) was an African-American attorney born just after the emancipation of slaves. He earned a law degree from Howard University and was admitted to the bar in Washington D.C. in 1902. He became a Bahá’í in 1909 and was distinguished by being the first African-American to be invited by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to the Holy Land for Bahá’í pilgrimage.

Almost without exception, Washington D.C. Bahá’í society in 1912 generally reflected the racial practices of society in general.

Today I am most happy, for I see here a gathering of the servants of God. I see white and black sitting together. There are no whites and blacks before God. All colors are one, and that is the color of servitude to God … the heart is important. If the heart is pure, white or black or any color makes no difference. God does not look at colors; He looks at the hearts. He whose heart is pure is better. He whose character is better is more pleasing.

Following the talk, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was the guest of honor at a reception hosted by the charge d’affaires of the Persian Legation. Prior to the the luncheon Louis Gregory had been summoned to the reception by the Master. Some of the guests present were very prominent in the social life of the Capital—all were white. Before the luncheon could begin ‘Abdu’l-Bahá stood up, looked all around the room, and asked, “Where is Mr. Gregory? Bring Mr. Gregory!” The host scrambled to find Louis Gregory. At ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s request, a place setting had been made on his right, so when Mr. Gregory was brought forward and seated, he became the de facto guest of honor!

This was accomplished easily by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. “He stated He was very pleased to have Mr. Gregory there, and then, in the most natural way as if nothing unusual had happened, proceeded to give a talk on the oneness of mankind.”

Louis Gregory and a white English Bahá’í, Louisa (Louise) A. M. Mathew were married through the encouragement of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá on September 27, 1912 in New York City.

Louis Gregory devoted the remainder of his life to the cause of racial amity and his promotion of the Bahá’í teachings. He is buried with his devoted wife Louisa near the Green Acre Bahá’í School in Eliot, Maine

 
Louis Gregory (1874-1951)

Louhelen

Yesterday I went to Louhelen Bahai school for New Years I learned many virtues like tactfulness, and that backbiting is worse than murder because when you kill a man your taking their physical body. But when you backbite your hurting there sole. Before that I went to newtown Connecticut were the school shooting was and said some prayers and that was my holiday.