‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s 1912 Howard University Speech: A Civil War Myth for Interracial Emancipation

Abstract

‘Abdu’l-Baha came to North America in 1912 to bring about what may be characterized as “interracial emancipation.” As son, successor and spokesman of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’l-Baha proclaimed Baha’i principles of ideal race relations (including interracial marriage), gender equality, and world peace: “I am here in this country making an appeal on behalf of universal peace, unity, love and brotherhood,” ‘Abdu’l-Baha told a journalist. “The Bahaist [sic] must be free from religious prejudice, patriotic prejudice, racial prejudice.” These were radical teachings during the Jim Crow era of forced racial segregation, to be sure. The black intelligentsia took notice.