Race Unity Day

Racial Unity Day was started in 1957 in the United States by the Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly. The aim is to combat racism by focusing attention on racial prejudice. Racism is the belief that humans are divided into exclusive entities known as "races", that there is a connection between personality and physical characteristics, and also that some races transcend superior to other races. The Bahá'í people understand that racism is an obstacle to peace so they started this day to promote racial harmony and understanding.

History of Race Unity Day

The Bahá'í National Spiritual Congress begins Racial Unity Day. The council, founded in 1844, is an elected council of nine members, charged with coordinating, guiding, and rehabilitating the affairs of both the local spiritual council and its members of the Bahá'í community within a country. The Spiritual Congress must encourage the growth and enthusiasm of the national Bahá'í community, answer questions from residents and local Spiritual Assemblies, and strengthen the role of the Bahá'í community in social life at the national level.

Although Racial Unity Day is celebrated by the National Spiritual Assembly of Bahá'í, it is neither a religious event nor a holy day for Bahá'í. The holiday is celebrated worldwide as an extension of Bahá'í beliefs and principles of racial harmony and as a greater social call to promote a social reality of diversity. Race is increasing. The holiday is not a holy day in the traditional sense but it can be seen as a day that contributes to what some scholars call 'civil religion' as part of cultural ideas that continue to evolve.

Racism does not apply only in cultural settings, it also applies to legal, economic or political institutions and systems that engage in racial discrimination or promote racial inequality on education, wealth and citizenship. With the advent of critical race theory, which was an extension of the critical legal research movement, institutional or systemic racism became the focus of research in the 1980s. Since the late 20th century, the concept of biological race has been recognized as a cultural fabrication with no scientific basis.

Some truths about racism

• Black students face prejudice

In the United States, Black students represent 15% of all student admissions for the 2015-2016 school year, but account for 31% of student arrests.

• The police stop is mainly related to black people

In 2018, 80% of police stops involved Blacks and Latinos.

• More students suffer from racism

According to a US survey, 15.8% of students experience racial harassment.

• White Americans don't get arrested much

White Americans are less likely to be arrested than black Americans.

• Racism also affects job opportunities

People with white-sounding names are called in more often than people with black-sounding names.

How to celebrate Race Unity Day

• Educate yourself

You can celebrate this holiday by spending the day educating yourself about other races and cultures. Understanding other people's cultures will bring you closer to them and make you realize how similar we are all.

• Get involved with diverse groups

Check your community to find any socially or educationally diverse groups you can join. Joining a diverse group and being in a group with people from different backgrounds will allow you to better understand people from different backgrounds and cultures.

• Organize an interracial party

You may not be able to find an interracial group to join, so another way to stay among people of different races is to have an interracial party. A party is always a good idea to keep everyone off guard and happy.

Why Race Unity Day is important

• It promotes racial unity

Racial Unity Day aims to promote harmony among different races. It's a day that reminds us that regardless of our race, we can all live and co-exist as one.

• It has a long history

This holiday has been celebrated since 1957. The Bahá'í National Spiritual Assembly has long known the importance of solidarity between different races.

• It promotes peace

Racial harmony will improve the peace in the land that will promote the development of the country. This holiday raises awareness about the importance of racial harmony.