Brilliant Star/Volume 49/Issue 1/Text

[Page -1]

[Page 0]FAVORITE FEATURES

Amethel Parel-Sewell — EDITOR/ CREATIVE DIRECTOR

DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR

Amy Renshaw — SENIOR EDITOR 4 ASSOCIATE EDITOR ASSISTANT EDITOR

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

C. Aaron Kreader

Heidi Parsons Annie Reneau Foad Ghorbani

MANY THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS:

Mei Arrowsmith « Sophia Berger « Lisa Blecker Leo Reed Breneman « Tod Ewing + Layli Graham Garrett Haghig| Lindsey Lugsch-Tehle - Nora Lyon + Sara Moore Paziano Parel-Sewell « Layli Phillips - Donna Price Gail Radley + Christopher Rash - Beata Reintjes Anya Schroder « Salena Vare « Dr. Dawn Wright 1 2

Andrea Hope « Kevin Locke

ART AND PHOTO CREDITS

Original illustrations by C. Aaron Kreader, unless noted By Lisa Blecker: Photos for pp. 8-9

By Foad Ghorbani: Art for p. 6

Historical photos courtesy National Bahs't Archives, unless noted

STORY AND ACTIVITY CREDITS By Amy Renshaw: 7, 11,13, 14,19, 26, 29 By Heidi Parsons: 6, 16, 22, 28

By Annie Reneau: 4, 12, 21, 25, 27

By Lisa Blecker: 8

By Donna Price: 10, 11, 14, 20

SUBSCRIPTION RATES AND RENEWALS To order or renew a subscription, contact Baha'i Subscriber Service: Toll-ree: 1.800.999.9019 / E-mail: subscription@usbne.org Standard U.S. rates: $18 (One year); $32 (Two years)

International airmail: $38 (One year); $68 (Two years)

Canada and Mexico: $28 (One year); $48 (Two years)

RIGHTS, PERMISSIONS, AND CLASS USE ‘Alcontent inthis magazine is copyrighted by the National Spirtual Assembly of the Band‘ ofthe U.S. o by individual contributors. For permission to copy or translate material, contact: Rights and Permissions, Brilliant Star, 1233 Central St, Evanston, IL 60201. Teachers may photocopy pages in limited quantities for classroom use. "Brilliant Star” and issue date must be present on all copies, and proper credit given to the copyright owner.

Brilliant Star empowers kids to explore their roles as world

itizens. Inspired by the principles of peace and unity in the Baha'i Faith, we encourage readers to use their virtues to make the world a better place. The Baha'i Faith is the second most widespread religion in the world, with over five million Baha'is. It was founded by the Prophet Baha'u'llah (“Glory of God" in Arabic) in 1863. Baha'u'llah taught that all people are part of one human family, and all religions come from one God. Baha'u'lldh’s eldest son, ‘Abdu'l-Bahé, interpreted His teachings and led the Baha'i community after Bahd’u'llah’s passing. Today, Bahd‘is work to bring love and justice to the world, and end prejudice and discrimination of all kinds.

Baha’u’llah’s Life: Mission of Peace He faced exile and injustice with courage.

Nur’s Nook A craft inspired by an American Indian symbol

We Are One

Explore and care for the place we all call home.

Riley’s Rainforest Could your brain be prejudiced?

Lightning and Luna: Episode #74 What happens when Elka Ego’s followers desert her?

Radiant Stars Get to know kids who shi

e, like you.

Maya’s Mysteries

A quiz on scientific facts about race

Stargazer: Tod Ewing

He strives for racial justice and healing.

Shining Lamp: Magdalene Carney She educated hearts and minds worldwide.

Cosmo's Corner A crossword and more from our favorite chameleon

aMAZEing ADVENTURE Soar through space with Zeke and Rhombus.

ISSN 0884-3695 [Page 1]2 More Than Two Colors Il

. 6 How Welcoming Are You?

Quiz yourself on your inclusive attitude.

7 Sheep Smarts

They don't let stereotypes hold them baaa-ck.

1 oO Uprooting Racism Dig deep to defeat prejudice.

Respectful Remedies Tips for fighting microaggressions

What Do You Say?

Practice speaking up about injustice.

Monster CommUNITY

TN > he Tame beastly thoughts with tasty treats.

i

Privilege: An Unfair Game What can games teach us about justice?

» A Memorable Meal with ‘Abdu’l-Baha - - He treated everyone with respect.

27 The Hair We Wear

Hairstyles reflect our cultures.

Andrea Hope shares her experiences of race.

DEAR FRIENDS,

Like a painting with the vibrant colors of a rainbow, humanity is an amazing canvas of diversity. But that beauty isn’t always appreciated. Though we're one human race, people from various cultures or backgrounds are often treated unfairly.

The injustice of racism causes great harm and pain to individuals, families, and our world. To achieve peace and unity, we need to love one another like

sisters and brothers. +P.

In this issue of Brilliant Star, explore how to put loveinto action tohelpend © racism. Find out why our a brains create prejudices and : how to stop them. Practice what 7 to say when you see or experience i ae prejudiced behavior. Create a hoop inspired by an American Indian symbol for harmony. Quiz yourself on how well you include others. And get to know Tod Ewing, who applies spiritual solutions to his work for race unity.

Most people want justice and peace. But it will take a lot of effort to paint a global mural that honors everyone. First, we all need to work together to erase prejudice. How will you help?

ee

LOVE, pgiIANT ZIAR aa

Skyline by Spectrum Studio, Earth by Double Brain [Page 2]hen I was a kid,

I moved from

Freeport, Bahamas, to Virginia, United States. The winters were icy cold in my new city, and the American accent was very different from my Caribbean one. But the biggest difference was seeing so many new colors of people. In the Bahamas, almost everyone had brown skin, but in the U.S. there were “beige,” “peach,” and “paper bag-colored” people. At least, those were the words I used to describe them when talking to my mom.

It took me a while to realize that most people in the U.S. saw each other in just two colors: black and white. Since my family is mixed race and I thought my skin looked more like milk chocolate, I didn't like being called black. As a black girl, I was less likely to read positive stories about people who looked like me. I was also more likely to be followed around in stores When I got good grades, I was told, “You're just trying to be white!” My first experiences with prejudice—being judged or treated meanly by people because of their assumptions about me—were because of my race. It felt like being black meant not being trustworthy or smart

Andrea and her husband, Marcin Gora, were married in ‘Akka, Israel, in 2015. They currently serve at the Baha’i World Centre in Israel.

In my family and my Baha’t community, race didn't come with so many expectations. I was part of a small group of black, white, and Asian friends who prayed and studied the Baha’t writings together. We learned that “the diversity in the human family should be the cause of love and harmony, as it is in music where many different notes blend together in the making of a perfect chord" (‘Abdu'l-Baha). One of my favorite songs said that even with all of our different skin tones, “one heart, ruby red, beats the heart of man."

Open Ieart

Now I'm 30 years old, and I've seen this truth with my own eyes. T've been to Europe, Africa, and Asia and seen the beauty of so many cultures that contribute incredible things to the world. I've met people in every country with colorful personalities and the same desire for understanding. One of the amazing people I met is my husband, Marcin, who is from Poland.

In my marriage, I sometimes still feel the pain of racism. When. law enforcement treats me differently than my husband while traveling, it makes me feel unequal. Because my experience with race is not like everyone else's, it’s important that I share these stories with my friends and family and listen to their stories as well. Experiences with racism and prejudice are very personal, so we should try to listen to each other's stories with an open heart.

Some people have such deep pain from facing discrimination in their lives that they have lost hope that we can all be treated equally. Some think that interracial marriages like mine just will not work. Others have spent all of their lives with one race and have too much fear to meet people from another. Sometimes it's hard to talk with people who come from very

2 Brilliant Star % voL49 No1 [Page 3]different backgrounds. But Marcin and I agree that there is no better way to work toward uniting the races than to build a life together with love.

Throughout history, progress toward racial unity has often been through love. Once people got to know each other, their friendships grew so strong that

Andrea, age 10 (left), celebrates her uncle's wedding in New Jersey, with her older sisters, Elizabeth and Latricia, and their mother, Johnetta.

they couldn't stay quiet about injustice. Like Branch Rickey, a baseball pioneer who was motivated to take action when he saw a black player from his team crying after being refused a hotel room because of his race. Years later, Rickey hired Jackie Robinson as the first black athlete to play in Major League Baseball. Rickey said, “I may not be able to do something about racism in every field, but I can sure do something about it in baseball.” Of course, we still have a long way to go. But we can be inspired by those who have helped in this journey. We can also try our very best to make friends of all races and to speak out when we feel or see discrimination. With our family, friends, and community, we can leam more about the diversity of the human race and grow in compassion, love, and understanding.

° * mv tction How many of these things can

you do to help build race unity in your community?

o Talk with your friends about racism you've experienced or seen.

o Learn a quote that inspires you to work for justice.

o Create artwork that shows the beauty of the human race.

o Invite a diverse group of friends over for dinner.

o Visit a cultural history museum. Share what you learn.

o Read about achievements of people from different races and share them.

o Say a prayer for unity.

o Consult with elders, friends, and others about ways to achieve race unity.

o- Watch videos about different cultures (such as TEDxKids).

o Interview an interracial couple about their marriage.

o Try a game from another culture.

a Write a poem about unity. o Help at a cultural festival.

oa Ask if your school can host a diversity workshop.

a Take an imaginary trip by learning all you can about another country.

Andrea Hope is a spoken word artist who has performed poetry and taught workshops in many countries around the world. She is also the author of the poetry activity book, [Am & I Can.

Images: art by sollia and Lorelyn Medina; portraits by Lindsey Lugsch-Tehle

voL.49 No.1 %& Brilliant Star 3 [Page 4]The hife of Baha’u' [lah

The highlighted area marks the time in which this story takes place.

1817 November 12 Birth of Baha'u'llah in Tihran, tran

1844 Recognizes the Bab as anew Messenger of God

ene = Firs | Imprisonment in the “Black Pit” of Tihrén

1853-1863

Exile in Baghdad, Iraq. From 1854-1856, He goes into the mountains to pray in solitude.

Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Baha't Faith

1863-1868 _| Exile in Constantinople (Istanbul), then Adrianople (Edime), Turkey. Begins writing letters to kings and rulers in 1867, urging world unity

1868 Last exile, to prison- city of ‘Akka, Israel

ASTTE x Pe a} Finally free to live in countryside homes

of Mazra‘ih and then Bahji, outside ‘Akka

Baha'u'llah passes away at Bah.

hat do you do when you see

injustice happen in front of you?

Do you ignore it to keep the peace, or do you stand up for what's right, even when it's difficult?

Baha'u'llah and His companions faced those questions in Constantinople (now Istanbul, Turkey). The sultan of the Ottoman Empire exiled Him from Baghdad to Constantinople in 1863. Though Baha'u'llah was innocent, Persian officials who wanted Him sent farther away convinced the sultan to banish Him.

Baha'u'llah and His companions traveled for 110 days through summer heat with little food and water because of a famine in the area. Baha’u'llah's eldest son, ‘Abdu'l-Baha, was 19 years old. He helped to obtain food when it was scarce and worked tirelessly to make the journey easier for everyone.

When Baha'u'llah arrived in Constantinople, officials assumed that He would ask for money or political favors to gain support for His faith. They visited Him, expecting that He would want to start a relationship with them. But Baha'u'llah was not interested in such schemes. “I have no wish to ask favor from them,” He said. “My work is not of their world; it is of another realm, far removed from their province. Why, therefore, should I seek these people?”*

Baha'u'llah’s response surprised most Officials. They had never met a man of influence with such little interest in deal-making. Baha'u'llah's attitude bothered the Persian ambassador to Constantinople, and he began to spread

| ‘Adrianople (Edirne)

‘

Cofgtanboh | TURKEY

Throughout His lifetime, Baha'u'llah’s exiles from His home in Tihran, Persia (now Iran) covered about 3,000 miles (4,828 km).

rumors about Baha'u'llah and His followers. His lies eventually reached the sultan. Without investigating the matter for himself, the sultan ordered Baha'u'llah. to leave Constantinople less than four months after He'd arrived.

The order was unjust, and Baha'u'llah refused. Neither He nor His companions had done anything wrong. “Our inno- cence is manifestly evident, and they have no alternative but to declare their injustice,” He said.** He encouraged His companions to stand firm.

But a few of those with Him were frightened and began plotting to save themselves. Baha'u'llah saw that discord was brewing among His community and decided to accept the banishment rather than allow their unity to be destroyed.

However, He wrote the sultan a long tablet explaining the injustice of his order. He also wrote to the Persian ambassador who had started the rumors about Him, telling him that His Cause “transcends any and every plan ye devise ... Were all the governments on earth to unite and take My life and the lives of all who bear

4 Brilliant Star % voL49 No1

This quote is from the spoken reflections of Bahdlu'lahs daughter,

Bahiyyit Khénum, and may not be His exact wards [Page 5]this Name, this Divine Fire would never be quenched.”

On December 1, 1863, Baha'u'llah began the treacherous winter journey from Constantinople to Adrianople (now Edirne, Turkey). He traveled with His family and a small group of friends. He told the rest of His companions to return to their homelands to share His faith with others. Though the authorities attempted to put out the flame of Baha'u'llah’s teachings, its light continued to spread throughout the world. Today, the Bahai Faith has over five million followers and has Baha'u'llah lived in this home for one year during His exile in reached every country on the planet. Adrianople.

Find 18 words related to the story. hook up, down, backward, forward, and diagonally.

ADMIRE Z COMMUNITY COMPANIONS DISCORD DIVINE EXILE

FIRM

FLAME FRIENDS INJUSTICE INNOCENCE JOURNEY KINDNESS LIGHT

PEACE REALM TABLET TRANSCENDS

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moe Sy Zz=Fmmreeanwnsnvenry ww DH AHN BSax HK FP Caza TM MMH 2Z mmemMmeonHwDAHNHOOMK Cc Bw HwWooHF=rFPAFrFz=auoHYFZznr FN ZFzexXH Do mMmMmAA arent 4 wo HAomnr%MWZZzWreHASFPmMrHen N==zaRr2z2axc2zm2z2amyerHys Dw moosea0 oOo mv cma Sseo2z wm Wen ODO AzAmMreaemoemre-7wa om Arr eMmMmaAzFoO FA DDH YA ON mMrNZCTrH HH FNH BO DC =a~<xnzxocrFTrDZmIsBa0CG.COCc 4 on wWoameme<zaFrvDIADMIM.M ArtrToOorrTre x wWDreePeDT ON M HS MHD ZFNRHMVOCSSFeC AHA ~<K

- This quote was reported by @ Bahd' and may not be Bahdlulahs exact words.

voL.49 No.1 %& Brilliant Star 5 [Page 6]Are you a welcoming person? Circle your answers, then add up your points. ©

1. try to make friends with people from diverse cultures. Often=3 + Sometimes =2 + Rarely=1

2 In agroup project, | listen carefully to everyone's ideas. Often=3 + Sometimes =2 + Rarely=1

3 I'm patient and friendly with new people. Often=3 - Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

My Score

36-28 points: You're a world citizen

who is wise in the ways of making people feel welcome. Way to go!

ave you ever moved to another town or started going to anew school? It’s not easy being the new kid and trying to make friends. What a relief when someone starts talking to you or invites you to join their game.

Being the new kid may only last a short time, but other differences — such as skin color, ethnicity, or religion — are part of who a person is. Some people see such differences

How Welcoming Are You?

“The world of humanity ... . is like a garden, and humankind are like the many-colored flowers.” —‘Abdu’l-Baha

with others?

4 lencourage friends to welcome diverse kids into our group. Often=3 - Sometimes =2 + Rarely=1

5. | avoid making assumptions about people based on their looks. Often=3 - Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

6 Ifaclassmate looks lonely, | go over and talk to them. Often=3 - Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

7 \learn about diverse people and world cultures. Often=3 + Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

8 | try to stand up for kids who are bullied for being different. Often=3 + Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

9 When | meet anew person, | smile, say hello, and learn

something about them, if possible.

Often=3 - Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

27-20 points: You're connecting with others and building unity. To polish your skills, try another tip from the quiz.

as a reason to stay away. But the Baha’iFaith celebrates diversity. Like the flowers in a garden, diversity makes our world beautiful and interesting.

Being inclusive, or welcoming, shows people that you respect them and appreciate the things that make them unique. What are your favorite ways to connect

10 linvite kids who are different from me to hang out at my house.

Often=3 - Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

11 | speak up if | hear an insult or joke about a race or group. Often=3 - Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

12. | try to set a good example by speaking kindly to everyone. Often=3 - Sometimes=2 + Rarely=1

19-12 points: It takes courage to reach out to others. For more practice, try some tips from the quiz.

Brilliant Star % vol.49 Noi [Page 7]f someone calls another person a sheep, it means

they consider that person to be meek, easily led,

or even unimaginative. Maybe not so smart. But that’s a stereotype —an unfair generalization.

Sheep do move together in large flocks, but it’s actually clever; they unite to avoid predators. They're safer when they stick together. Scientists say sheep are so bright that they can recognize individual faces,

S ON PAGE 28

“The sheep, black and white, associate without discord...Therefore, in the world of humanity it is wise and seemly that all the individual members should manifest unity and affinity.” —‘Abdu’l-Bahd

navigate a maze, and develop friendships.

There’s another way sheep are smart—black, brown, and white sheep all mingle in unity. Their wool is colored by melanin, the same stuff that colors human skin, hair, and eyes. But unlike humans, who can be unfair to those who look different, sheep don’t let pigment cause a problem. And that’s pretty perceptive!

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4 “<< — Collaborative Creative Ichabod Listening Mindful Open-Minded Thoughtful Trustworthy Collin fol Integrity Laverne Myrtle Orphus Th Toto

[Page 8]Moke F HOOp for Humsnity

“Baha'u'lldh has drawn the circle of unity, He has made a design for the uniting of all the peoples,

and for the gathering of them all under the shelter of the tent of universal unity.”

medicine wheel is a sacred American Indian A= used for health and healing. It’s created in the shape of a circle—an ancient and universal

sign that represents completeness. The wheel can inspire people to live more balanced, harmonious lives.

American Indian tribes have different interpretations of the wheel. It may be made as a sculpture, painting, or other work of art. Intersecting lines at the center of the

MY CRAFT REPRESENTS RAC!

1 Place bowl on cardboard. Trace around it with pencil and cut out circle.

—‘Abdu'l-Baha

wheel create four equal sections in four different colors. In some tribes, the colors stand for diverse races or ethnic groups, showing that all people are interconnected and equally important.

Make your own hoop for humanity inspired by the medicine wheel. Hang it in your home to promote unity and to express your appreciation for our diverse human family.

Youll Need

+ 4%" (12.1cm) bowl

and 3%" (9.5 cm) * tacky glue

{gb (or other round * yarn (black, red a yellow, and white)

pencil + beads

+ 6"(15.2 cm) square Corrugated cardboard

scissors

one 5" (12.7 cm)

and four 8" (20.3 cm) feces auth string cord for stringi -_ pe stringing

+ two craft sticks + craft feathers

2 Place cup in center of cardboard circle. Trace around it with pencil and carefully cut out inner circle to make a hoop.

3 Lightly glue ends of one craft stick so it’s horizontal in center of hoop.

8

Brilliant Star % voL49 No1 [Page 9]4 Lightly glue ends and center of other craft stick to center of hoop so it’s vertical, forming a plus

sign. Press stick ends to hoop and let dry.

8 Repeat steps 5-7 with a different yarn color for each hoop section.

@ ty

5 Glue end of red rs

yarn against edge @&> P of astick, where \ —_ sticks intersect. > Bd

6 Wind yarn snugly and evenly around stick and stop at hoop.

9 Re-glue stick ends to yarn on hoop. At top of hoop, thread smaller cord under aloop of wound yarn and knot its ends together, to make a loop for hanging.

7 A.Unglue end of this stick where it touches hoop to continue winding yarn around the hoop. Wrapped yarn should span the width of this stick and stop at first edge of next stick.

10 Knot ends of other

cords—each to a different loop of wound yarn—along g perimeter of hoop. Add decorative yi

beads and feathers to these cords and

B. Cut and glue secure wall knots or glue. Trim ends

eae | | of cords. Nowit’s or hoop. Avoid ready to hang! gluing yarn -

to stick.

voL.49 No.1 %& Brilliant Star [Page 10]“We must endeavor to free the soil of the hearts from useless weeds and

sanctify it from the thorns of worthless thoughts...” —‘Abdu’l-Baha é B ike weeds that are hard to eliminate, the roots of who are different from us. Watch for assumptions £25 racism grow deep in our society. Though lawscan about people based on how they look. Listen to every- od protect people, some groups still don’t have fair opportunities one’s thoughts with respect. Be alert to the negative ‘ for jobs, education, housing, healthcare, and more. And _ ways that minorities are often portrayed in the media. just as weeds can damage a garden, unfairness stops Find out more about injustice and share what you learn. everyone from growing to their full capacity. Picture our human family as a garden of flowers

We all need to dig deep within ourselves androot _in every color. Keep pulling those weeds of racism, out prejudice. We can start by being friendly to people _ patiently and persistently, until every last one is gone.

B BRAVE CARING GENTLE HUMBLE PATIENT RAKEOF SINCERE TACTFUL WISE CART GLOVES HOE PRUNERS RESPECT SHOVEL

ANSWERS ON PAGE 28 [Page 11]Fossil evidence shows that modern humans, Homo Sapiens, began in Africa about 300,000 years ago. Looking for water, food, or adventure, we left Africa in waves of migration about 80,000 years ago. We traveled to Asia, then Indonesia, Australia, and Europe. About 15,000 years ago, we went to North and South America. Maori people sailed to New Zealand only 1,000 years ago. Where will humanity explore next? Mars?

WHERE IN THE WORLD

Joshua Tree National Park is named for a rare, tree-like succulent that can grow as tall as 40 feet (12 m) and live 150 years. Only found in this area, mostly in the Mojave Desert, it’s threatened by reduced rainfall due to climate change. Unscramble the letters to find the location:

NIACAFILRO

ExPioRE AND PROTECT THE EARTH AnD ITS @REATURES

“All the members of this endl are linked one to another.” )

StrAWFUL Situation Our beaches and oceans are overflowing with plastic pollution, including millions of straws. About 500 million straws are used every day in the

U.S. alone. Skip the

straw when you can.

Antarctica is about the size of the U.S. and Mexico combined, but it’s 98% ice — almost three

deep in some places!

PROTECTING OUR PLANET 5

Dr. Dawn Wright, also known as “Deepsea Dawn,” is an award-winning scientist from California, U.S. She studies the ocean's volcanic mountain ranges and ecosystems and makes 3-D maps of the ocean floor. She wants to “understand how that part of the Earth works, and hopefully how we can better protect it.”

This desert reptile changes to a paler color to reflect afternoon heat. Tt can even tolerate temperatures up to 115°F (46°C)! A male will take this push-up posture to protect its territory. Fill in the blanks to find its name:

E ERT GUA A

Images: Mars rover by NASA, Antarctica by goinyk, Dr. Wright by Esri, Joshua tree and reptile by Amethel Parel-Sewell

vo..49 No.1 % Brilliant Star

11 [Page 12]“Send down... from the clouds of Thy mercy the rains of Thy healing...”

SVY

Our Unfair Brains

s your brain prejudiced? Do you sometimes form unfair opinions without facts or

experience? Unfortunately, the answer is probably yes.

In order to work well and learn quickly, our brains categorize information. If you try a leafy green vegetable that's bitter, your brain may categorize all leafy greens as gross, and warn you not to eat more of them. That generalization is a bias.

Generalizing helps us avoid dangers like fast-moving cars or growling dogs. But if your brain creates a bias against people of another race, due to messages from the media or other people, that’s prejudice. It can lead to racial discrimination—treating others unfairly due to their ethnicity.

Curiosity Canopy

Research showsthat we tend to think more positively about others when we share things in common (even minor things, like favorite sports teams, but also the same racial group). A test from Harvard University has people quickly link positive or negative words with white or black faces. About 70% of test takers react more positively to people from their own race.

Battling biases is tricky.

Try to notice when your brain starts generalizing. Remember that people don’t represent

their entire race or culture—

each one is a unique person. When we know how our brains form biases, we can work to stop our unconscious prejudices.

ven babies can have bias! In one study, Caucasian Bi. at nine months old were quicker to respond to white faces. It also took them longer to recognize emotional expressions from faces of other races. Our

brains generalize early, so challenging bias when you're

young is really important.

12 Brilliant Star % vol.49 Noi

—Baha’u'llah

Explore & Soar: Battle Your Biases

Bi are some ways to help our brains see people as individuals and resist forming prejudices.

o Develop real friendships with people from different races and cultures.

co Read books with characters from diverse backgrounds.

to Focus on specific things about people's personalities, not just their race.

to Think critically about messages you receive about race from your family, friends, and the media.

o Learn more about

the history of racial groups in your country and how it affects life today.

o Join or form a club to explore how to work for racial justice.

o Learn about real individuals from diverse cultures, and keep them in mind when you hear someone using stereotypes to describe people.

[Page 13]The body of the human world is sick. Its remedy and healing will be the oneness of the kingdom of humanity.” —‘Abdu'l-Baha

here are you really from? What race are when they are heard often. you? Do you even speak English? Your immune system battles harmful bacteria in These may not seem like obvious insults, — your body. In life, you can fight microaggressions by

but they can be hurtful. Questions like these are subtle zooming in on the oneness of humanity and respecting put-downs called microaggressions. They imply thata those who are different from you. See each person as person isn't welcome or doesn't fit in. Like microscopic a unique individual as well as a member of a race bacteria that are invisible to the eye but still make you or ethnic group. You can stop invisible insults from sick, microaggressions can be powerful—especially sneaking into your conversations.

Find words to complete these tips about stopping microaggressions. COM

.e If friend says you're being prejudiced,

and learn.

______ for books and movies with characters that are very different from yourself.

S ON PAGE 28

voL.49 No.1 %& Brilliant Star 13 [Page 14]qy

INELKAEGO’S MANSION OF MIRRORS . . . [

— LIGHTNING & LUNA

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ANYTIME! WE MAKE | | A GREAT TEAM!

NEVER BE HAPPY...

IRONIC — SHE HAP MILLIONS: OF FOLLOWERS, BUT THEY

BE HAPPY. YOU NEEV FRIEN?S— REAL FRIENDS IN REAL LIFE!

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.49 N01 % Brilliant Star [Page 16]Connect with kids around the world! How are they like you? How are they different? Each of us has a unique " story to tell. What’s yours?

Age: ( Place I'd love to visit: we

| live in:

Virtue | admire most: Hobbies or sports:

Favorite Baha’ activity:

| like to help people by:

A hero or role model *

To stop prejudice and racism, kids can:

When | feel sad about disunity or injustice, what helps me stay hopeful is:

All people are one human family means:

What | appreciate most about my cultural background is:

Age: | live in:

| want to be:

It's important to have friends from different cultures because:

This career interests me because:

Virtue | admire most: When | feel sad about

disunity or injustice, |: » 2

Hobbies or sports:

favoritelBanallact wives) If | could invent an ice cream

flavor to encourage unity:

A hero or role model: K

A hero or role model

To stop prejudice and racism, kids can:

Age

a When | feel sad about Hive in disunity or injustice, | | want to be:

All people are one human family means: Virtue | admire most:

Favorite Baha’i activity:

What | appreciate most about

Pla tl levstio wisi: my cultural background is:

Favorite animal or pet: eS

16 Brilliant Star % voL49 No1 [Page 17]Age: 13 I live in: Colorado, U.S.

| want to be: Undecided, but I do have an interest in teaching, arts, and sciences.

-

This career interests me because: Ilove... kids...

x

Virtue | admire most: Respect

Favorite Baha’i activity: Teaching children’s classes

-

A hero or role model:

My dad

When | was bullied or excluded, |:

Told my parents ...and they helped me by having

meetings with my advisor at school, and dealing with the kids who made fun of my ethnicity.

Age: 10 %

Hive in North Carolina, U.S.

| want to be: A chef

This career interests me because Ilike different kinds of food.

Virtue | admire most: Happiness/joyfulness

A hero or role model: Mymomanddad ™

To stop prejudice and racism, kids can:

Include all to play together, ask those who may be saying/doing something unkind to another person to stop...

When | feel sad about disunity or injustice, what

helps me stay hopeful is: Finding ways to serve

my community

To stop prejudice and racism, kids can:

We can first start by using words that are kind, instead of hurtful ones that others find rude and inappropriate.

What | appreciate most about my cultural background is: I’m beautiful because I’m different.

If could invent an ice cream flavor to encourage unity:

I would name it Colors of the Earth. It would taste colorful, sweet, spicy, tangy, etc.

Favorite Baha’j activities: Holy day celebrations, Nineteen Day Feasts**

What | appreciate most about my cultural background is: Lebanese food from my Lebanese background

If | could invent an ice cream flavor to encourage unity, it would be: Friendship Swirl — chocolate chip cookie dough with mango swirled with mint... with whipped cream and gummy bears and acherry on top!!!

a

Paziano’s TEDx talk: https://youtube.com/AUlehTS_ezO
- Feastis a Baha'i community gathering with prayers, consultation, and fellowship

x4

“God has crowned you with honor and in your hearts has He set a radiant star; verily the light thereof shall brighten the whole world!”

Age: 10 2 4 | live in: California, U.S.

| want to be:

Writer, a marine biologist, and an astronomer

This career interests

me because: Kk Ienjoy writing books and stories. Marine life

fascinates me, andI love...space.

When | was bullied

or excluded, |:

Handled it by ignoring the bully and talking to Virtue | admire most: my parents for support. KINDNESS! Because it’s the foundation and the key to peace! I gave a TEDx talk about kindness!*

To stop prejudice and racism, kids can:

Judge people by their soul, not by their appearance. Actions * speak louder than looks! x

When | feel sad about disunity or injustice, |:

Talk to my family ...1 think about all the happy things on earth.

Favorite Baha’i activities: Being helpful with my family, Sunday classes, ...and Virtues Camp.

Places I'd love to visit: Philippines (where Mama was born)

What! iat st about and London at lappreciate most about

my cultural background is: Ilooove the food! ... Ilike how I’m different

from the crowd.

A hero or role model: My parents and my brother, Kai

1. If you're age 7-14, go to www. brilliantstarmagazine.org. From the top menu, choose “Discover.” Then click “Become a Radiant Star or Trailblazer,” and fill out the form. Or e-mail us at brilliant@usbnc.org. Include your name, age, birth date, mailing address, and phone number.

. When it’s your turn to shine, we’ll send you questions

and a form for you and your parents to sign. nes

. Answer the questions and send them to us with the signed form, along with at least two good- quality, close-up photographs of your smiling face. Photos should be in sharp focus and show your eyes clearly. Please don’t send color copies,

low-resolution digital images, or copyright- Ys protected images (like school portraits). «x »”

17

vo..49No1 % Brilliant Star [Page 18]Salena V.

Age: 11

live in: California, U.S. | want to be: Doctor

This career interests me because:

I want to help people when they are sick or injured.

Virtue | admire most: Confidence

Favorite Baha’ activities: Feast and children’s class

Place I'd love to visit: India To stop prejudice and racism, kids can:

Encourage kids and youth to love all, and to make sure they never exclude anybody because of a person’s

race or color.

A hero or role model: My parents

Beata R. Age: 8 | live in: Montana, U.S.

%

Virtue | admire most: Kindness

| want to be: Idon’t know

Favorite Baha’/ activity: Ayyam-i-Ha*

Hobbies or sports: Backpacking, hanging out with friends, soccer

Favorite animal or pet: White tigers, clouded leopards, and dogs

Favorite food: Sushi

All people are one human family means:

We are all connected, humanity is one.

When | feel sad about disunity or injustice, |: Personally try to actively work towards improving unity and justice in my area.

If |could invent an ice cream flavor to encourage unity:

It would be... Creamy Kindness. It would taste like caramel, and after eating it you would

feel like being kind to everybody.

| like to help people by: Encouraging them and making friends

To stop prejudice and racism, kids can:

Stand up for somebody who is being treated wrong

When | feel sad about disunity or injustice, what helps me stay hopeful is: My friends

What appreciate most

about my cultural a

background is:

Ithink everyone would say — friends and family!

If | could invent an ice cream flavor to encourage unity:

I would call it Unity ice cream. It would taste like when you give somebody flowers or candy or a hug and they really appreciate it.

Nora L. Age: 8 \ live in: Virginia, US.

-

| want to be: A veterinarian

This career interests me because: love... animals.

Favorite Baha’i activity: Children’s class, espe- cially arts and crafts

A hero or role model:

My family

When | was excluded: Iwas in a [class] where kids spoke little English. But one boy had learned some English from TV, and we became friends. cultures because: *« It’s one small step

toward world unity.

It's important to have friends from different

Christopher R.

Age: 9 y

live in: Michigan, U.S. | want to be: Artist

This career interests me because:

Ilove the feeling of creating. %

Favorite Baha’i activity: Children’s classes

A hero or role model: Dad

When | [am] bullied or excluded [for my religion]: Texplain how all religions are one. If that does not work, I just walk away.

Virtue | admire most: Truthfulness

When | feel sad about disunity or injustice, |: Pet my dog. Animals

always make me feel hopeful. *

To stop prejudice and racism, kids can:

Make friends with kids from other cultures.

When | feel sad about disunity or injustice, what helps me stay hopeful is: Saying prayers

All people are one human family means: Everybody is created from the same God.

If | could invent an ice cream flavor to encourage unity, it would be: Chocolate vanilla strawberry mango swirl

It'simportantto have 3 friends from different cultures because: Learning about other people will someday eliminate prejudice and racism.

What | appreciate most about my cultural background is: Iam part Native rt American and I appreciate communion with nature most.

To stop prejudice and

racism, kids can:

Try to make friends who look different from ourselves. We are all the same inside.

18

Brilliant Star % vol.49 Noi

Ayyam-i-Hé isa festival of hospitality, charity, gift giving, and preparing for the Baha’ Fast.

[Page 19]a WHAT po YOU say?

“Associate in perfect love and accord and consider humankind as one family...” —‘Abdu’l-Baha

Wt’s hard to know what to do when you hear something _ situation feels safe, stay calm and express your opinion Benat sounds like prejudice or racism. It takes courage about fairness. If you’re silent, the person may think you to speak up about injustice. You may feel uncomfortable. agree with them.

You might wonder if the other person will have an open When enough people point out racism, in time, mind and listen to you or if they'll get upset. You might attitudes will change. What do you say when someone

feel so angry or hurt that you just want to leave. But ifthe sounds prejudiced?

\ DON’T THINK THEY BELONG HERE. THEY SHOULY GO BACK HOME.

THEY HAVE ARIGHT |__| WHAT? THEY’RE HUMANS ANZ TO BE HERE, JUST [op] THEY COME FROM EARTH, LIKE WE 70. JUST LIKE YOU AND MME!

WRITE WHAT YOU WoULD Say:

DID VOU HEAR THE JOKE ABOUT IWINIGRANTS FROM <i war, tFvowRe LT t pont THINK 11'S FUNNY CONG TOTELLA [OR] ATALL TO JOKE ABOUT

<e. eof] JOKE THAT’S RACIST, PEOPLE’S CULTURES.

PLEASE PONT. WRITE WHAT YOU WouLD Say:

TT TAKES COURAGE LTHINK IT’S COOL!

TO MOVE TO ANOTHER THERE ARE THOUSANDS COUNTRY, ANZ IT | OR} OF LANGUAGES IN THE

TAKES TIME TO LEARN WORLD. I’D LOVE 10 ANEW LANGUAGE. KNOW MORE THAN ONE.

WRITE WHAT YOU WouLD Say:

5 7 a > wae Persian translation: “Hi. How are you?" “l am good, How are you! voL49 No1 % Brilliant Star 19 [Page 20]ALL PEOPLE ARE PART OF ONE AIMAZING. SPECIES.

“The world of humanity is one race, the surface of the earth one place of residence. . .”. —‘Abdu'l-Baha

= = = ee ~~ DOES RACE EXIST? n biology, we learned about how scientists Scientists say that “race” is a social idea. RY classify species. For example, Canis lupis, the Sadly, it’s used as a reason to treat people unfairly i wolf, is a different species than Canis latrans, due to their ethnic or cultural background. i the coyote. Canis lupis familiaris, the domestic dog, Throughout history, racism has harmed some by ‘ is a subspecies of the wolf. groups and given privileges to others. It’s caused iy a) But guess what? Humans, Homo sapiens, have injustice, violence, and war. } i ( no subspecies. Variations in the way people look, I'm going to spread the word that to have | } such as skin color, are adaptations to where we live. Peace and justice in the world, we need to listen 19} But these differences aren’t enough to separate us. to science: on Earth, we’re one human family, and re Every person on Earth is the same species. we need to act like it! i Sea ————— Sanaa

seuez =e HUMAN SPECIES

Any i Check out my quiz about the human species. h i) 1. Biologically, humanity is 5. Even with global migration, 9. There are no genes that ‘ one species. people have never been separated separate people into one \ TRUE @ long enough to evolve into race or another.

different subspecies. TRUE @

U 2. The idea of race has been TRUE © used to justify inequality and 10. Genes for skin or hair color injustice, such as slavery. 6. “Race” is an ancient concept, have no relation to charac- TRUE © and the word has always been teristics such as kindness, a part of the English language. responsibility, or creativity. | 3. Modern humans evolved in TRUE TRUE © h Africa about 300,000 years ago. | TRUE 7. The concept of using race to 11. The continent with the divide people socially has greatest amount of variation 4. Melanin, the skin’s brown pigment, developed in the last 500 years. jin human genes is Australia. protects us from damaging TRUE ° TRUE @ ultraviolet rays. So people have darker skin if their ancestors 8. Humans are the most 12. It’s impossible for people to are from tropical areas. genetically similar primates. Our change racist ideas or behavior. TRUE DNA is 99.9% alike. TRUE TRUE © — - aaeecens csnee ont nrin

20 Brilliant Star # vo149 Noi ANSWERS ON PAGE 28 [Page 21]onster CommuNITY |

“Love and affinity are the fruits o while discord and isolation are ch

gentle disposition, a pure nature and praiseworthy character, acteristic of the fierce beasts of the wild.” —‘Abdu'l-Baha

human family is wonderfully diverse. But it’s fight it off. scary to realize that some people don’t value With courage and determination, we can all help our differences. They may act like monsters, attacking _ battle the demon of racism. It’s important to talk about

+ all or short, big or little, bald or shaggy—our that creeps into our lives, even if we try our best to

those who look, speak, or act differently. our differences with love and respect, and speak up We're all part of one human race. But societyhas | when we see injustice. And we can hunt down and

set up racial divisions based on people’s skin color tame any monstrous thoughts lurking in our own minds

or ethnicity. When someone gets treated unfairly and hearts. If we each do our best, we can create a

because of race, that’s racism. It’s a menacing problem world that’s fair and friendly for all.

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ANSWERS ON PAGE 28 vol.49 Noi % Brilliant Star 21

[Page 22]STARGAZER

-— Tt 2 ee , °e

5

(>)

Tod Ewing

Q: What is your favorite childhood memory?

A: We used to have this golden retriever. It was a beautiful dog, and we lived out in the country. And this dog would just run off ... Sometimes at night, my dad and myself and my brother and sister would go lay on this hill, and my dad ... would whistle. And we would .. . look all over the place and wonder where Duchess would come running from... [She] was such a fun-loving dog...

How would you define racism?

A: Disliking somebody, prejudging somebody because of their color, and then having the power to make their life very difficult.

ow would you feel if no matter where you went—school, the grocery store, a ball game—nobody was the same race as you? That's what life was like for Tod Ewing until he was 10. Born in Minnesota, U.S., his was the only African American family in their town. They faced so much prejudice that neighbors even tried to stop them from moving into the neighborhood. Tod's parents were Baha'is, and in spite of these challenges, they stayed strong, and they inspired Tod to work for racial justice. Tod earned a degree in criminal justice at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Later, he and his wife, Alison, moved their family to a more diverse area in South Carolina. In 1987, Tod and two friends launched a diversity training company, which helped organizations build unity among people of different races. Twenty years later, he co-created the Race Story ReWrite Project with Phyllis and Gene Unterschuetz. They empower people to form strong interracial relationships. Tod and Alison now live in Washington, D.C.

Left: Tod was about nine when he was in fourth grade in Minnesota. Right: At about age 17, Tod attended a Baha'i conference with his mom, Mildred

Q: What was the most challenging experience for you when you were a kid, and how did you handle it?

A: We were the only black family for 15 miles in any direction . . . It was traumatic. .. to not feel emotionally safe anywhere . . . What helped me cope . .. [was being] able to find a few friends.

Q: What virtues are important in the work you do? A: Being just and fair-minded . . . Being open enough and humble enough to listen ... Courage to speak your mind and tell the truth...

N iw)

Brilliant Star % vol.49 Noi

Portrait by Sara Moore [Page 23]Answers with an

Q: When kids face prejudice against their race or religion and they're feeling hurt, what should they do?

A: They should discuss it with their parents ... If they are hurt because of something somebody says to them... they could... forgive the person... [Or] you may want to help them under- stand [how] they hurt you.

But if it hurts so much, you may not be able to do that. You may need to go home or have a friend that you talk to until you can calm down and some of the pain goes away...

That's where... courage comes] in, or... humility. . . As children who are Baha'is

or believe in oneness, [you'll understand that] those people are your family... You want to help [them] understand, so they don't do it to other people... Try not to see that person as your enemy. . . [they] learned to be prejudiced from somebody ... Hopefully you can help them unlearn that...

Left: Tod, his wife, Alison, and their daughters, Talia (middle) and Angela, in 1983. Talia passed away at age 19. In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the Talia Ewing Youth Service Award is given in her honor each year by the NAACP, an equal rights group. Right: Tod and his business partners, Phyllis and Gene Unterschuetz, lead a Race Story ReWrite workshop at a Baha’i summer school in Florida, U.S., in 2017.

Q: What feeds racism in society?

A: People need to feel like they are better than other people... Racism is fueled by materialism . .. People wanted status and power, and that's why slavery developed, and race became an excuse later on. . . Now, because there's so many stereotypes about people . .. and there's so many fears that have been created around people of color .. . that fuels it, too.

Q: What are some things that kids can do every day to help stop racism? @ A: Everybody can pray ... that there will be racial healing, and . . . [that] a they have opportunities to do something about racial injustice . .. Go out A of your way to talk to people that are different from you .. . Get to know i them and understand them and understand their life, what you have in mss common, what's different .. . Read stories about people who are of other races ... read about how racial prejudice works...

Q: What is important for kids to know about racism in the U.S.?

A: If it isn't happening to you, [that] doesn't mean it's not happening. . . And it's important to know that people have worked for many, many years to eliminate racial prejudice, [but] it's still here. And that each of us has a responsibility to address it and to help move things forward .. .

Q: If you had one wish for Brilliant Star's readers, what would it be?

A: [It] would be that everybody sees .. . that they have a role to play in eliminating racial prejudice and creating racial unity and justice... and that they would . . . be very intentional about deciding what . . . they want to do about it.

voL.49 No.1 %& Brilliant Star

[Page 24]A Baha'i.wh

ved humanity with, radiance

s snow swirled around her while she sat atop her horse, Magdalene “Mag” Carney watched her father wrap her legs and feet in burlap. He said this would keep her from getting frostbite as she went to school from their farm in Tennessee, U.S. Mag, age nine, wasn't about to let a blizzard keep her from school. She shook the horse's reins, and off she went.

Mag's grandfather was born a slave, unable to get an education. Her mother and father had little schooling, but they worked hard and raised their eight children in the Baptist faith. Mag, the oldest, born in 1929, believed wholeheartedly in God, but had questions. Why should there be two churches for blacks and two for whites in their little community if there was only one God?

No one seemed able to answer.

Devoted Search

Knowing that with an education, she could help her family out of poverty, Mag graduated from college and taught in elementary and high schools in Nashville. One day in church, she seemed to hear a voice telling her that there was more to religion than what she had learned so far.

Mag searched for three years. In 1962, a Baha'i professor named Dr. Sarah Pereira gave Mag a pamphlet about the Faith. Mag was working in the civil rights movement and had longed for a religion that supported racial equality. “By the time I finished reading,” Mag wrote, "I believed in the new system: the Baha’i Faith. Unimaginable joy flooded my heart!”

She carried the Baha'i teachings of unity and

justice with her when she moved to Mississippi in 1968. She helped share the Faith with thousands throughout the South. In those days, most black and white students went to separate schools. Some people were so angry that they reacted violently to efforts to end this unfair policy. The next year, Mag, now head of a Canton, Mississippi, high school English department, guided the school system peacefully through bringing black and white students together.

Prejudice—judging people without knowing them —arose from false beliefs, Mag thought. Hearts and minds needed education. Mag taught for years in elementary and high schools. She wrote articles and inspired students to aim high, just as she did. With her doctorate degree in education, which she earned in 1977, she became Dr. Carney and trained future teachers.

Mag served on the National Spiritual Assembly, the body guiding the Baha'is of the United States, from 1970 to 1983. In 1983, she was appointed a Counselor in the International Teaching Centre and moved to Haifa, Israel, the Baha'i World Centre. From there, she helped educate Baha'is worldwide to build stronger communities. She visited Baha'is in Africa, Europe, and other areas.

Mag left this world in 1991 at the young age of 61, while still serving in Haifa. The Universal House of Justice, the international Baha'i governing body, praised her for nearly three decades of “UNBROKEN SERVICE,” her commitment to education, and her “SELFLESS SPIRIT.”

Brilliant Star % vol.49 Noi

24 [Page 25]ave you ever tried to use a can opener with your H:: hand? Probably not—if you're right-handed. Most tools are made for right-handed people. Since they rarely have to use their non-dominant hand, right-handed people have some advantages over lefties. That type of advantage is known as privilege. We can

have privilege based on race, gender, religion, education, wealth, physical ability, or other factors. People in the

PRIVILEGE:

An Onfair Game

majority, or in groups that hold the most power (such as white, wealthy males in the U.S.), have the clearest privilege. But privilege isn’t always obvious to those who have it. If you're right-handed, you may never have noticed that a can opener was made for you. Racial privilege can be even harder to see. Listen to other people’s experiences and keep an open mind when advantages are pointed out. Then try to use any privilege you have to create more justice in our world.

Try these games to see how privilege can change things.

PAPER TOSs PRIVILEGE

To play: Players line up in rows and try to toss crumpled pieces of paper into a recycling bin. One row starts six feet from the bin and other rows are farther away. Each time a kid makes a basket they take a step closer. The first one to reach the bin wins.

To play: Players run a race, and everyone starts from the same line. Runners whose first names start with ~ the letters A through L get a three-second head start.

BIRTHDAY BENEFIT

To play; Split into pairs and give each pair a water balloon. Kids who have birthdays in July through December havetotrytocatch their balloon with one hand behind their backs.

SIBLING SUPERIORITY

To play: Give each persona piece of paper and tell them to make a star out of it. Only those who have older siblings get to use scissors.

vo..49 No.1 % Brilliant Star 25 [Page 26]e must lay aside all prejudice—whether it be religious, racial, political or patriotic; we must become the cause of the unification of the human race."

When ‘Abdu'l-Baha spoke these words in New Jersey, U.S., in 1912, the concept of unity among all races was new. Racial segregation was common. In the South, it was legal to separate schools, buses, parks, and other facilities based on race.

During a nine-month tour of the U.S. and Canada, ‘Abdu'l-Baha gave public talks to thousands of people. He shared the Baha’t teachings about the oneness of humanity and urged his audiences to establish true unity.

At his talk to over one thousand people at Howard University in Washington, D.C., ‘Abdu'l-Baha said, “I am very happy that white and black have gathered together in this meeting. I hope this coming together and harmony reaches such a degree that no distinctions shall remain between them, and they shall be together in the utmost harmony and love.”

One Baha'i in the audience that day was Louis Gregory, an African American lawyer who was a leader in efforts to build race unity. Louis said the “spiritual atmosphere” during the talk “raised His hearers to a pitch of joyous enthusiasm.” The audience applauded repeatedly as ‘Abdu'l-Baha spoke, and long afterward.

Following the talk, ‘Abdu'l-Baha had a chance to put his words into practice. He invited Louis to meet with him at the home of a Baha't named Ali-Kuli Khan and his family. Khan, as he was known, a diplomat representing Persia (now Iran), had planned a special luncheon in ‘Abdu'l-Baha's honor. About 19 guests were invited, and some were leaders in Washington, D.C., society or politics.

After the meeting with ‘Abdu'l-Baha, Louis, who

Louis and Louisa Gregory married in 1912, when interracial marriage was uncommon.

had not been invited to the luncheon, waited for a chance to slip out quietly. Abdu'l-Baha led the way to the dining room. According to tradition, the seats at the table were carefully arranged based on. each person's position in society. But when everyone was seated, ‘Abdu'l-Baha suddenly stood up and looked around. He said to Khan, “Where is Mr. Gregory? Bring Mr. Gregory!” Khan immediately went to find Louis and brought him in. Meanwhile, ‘Abdu'l-Baha rearranged the place settings that had been so formally laid out. He put Louis in the place of honor at his right. Louis was the only African American person there. By welcoming him warmly and giving him a prominent seat, ‘Abdu'l-Baha demonstrated that people of all races should be treated equally. He said he was happy to have Louis there, and during lunch, he spoke about the oneness of humanity. Louis later wrote that ‘Abdu1-Baha “made everyone feel perfectly at ease by his genial humor, wisdom and outpouring of love ...” He also said that ‘Abdu'l-Baha’s heart seemed to be “a mysterious and boundless treasury of love.”

Brilliant Star % vol.49 Noi

26

‘Art: Jamesstock, Irinelle, and Alex_Bond [Page 27]The Jlain We Wear

ong or short, curly or straight, hair is part of

our cultural traditions. In some cultures, people

grow their hair long, cover their hair, or shave A it off completely. Learning how others maintain and Py style their hair can help us appreciate our diversity. \ ) But hair is sometimes a focus of discrimination.

In the past, boarding schools forced American Indian kids to cut their hair, going against important spiritual

at

traditions. Some schools and businesses today even

prohibit hairstyles that are traditional or popular in African American communities.

Our hairstyles are more than just a fashion statement. For many cultures, they have specific meaning. Also, different kinds of hair require different care. Rules that don’t take that into consideration are unfair. When we honor and celebrate the hair we wear, we can break down walls of prejudice and see the

beauty in our human family. fi Pe i us]

unique

u | aS MS a4 a \ { | Ata multicultural fair, these kids are sharing their cultural hair traditions. Read the clues, then match each kid with their country. _ f | f L a 1 \ | Fa FOR SPECIAL | THERETO FORTRTTTE ali WITH JEWISH LAW, ll I | MH} occisions, we ff INt COUNTRY ON SPECI. AVS, |) ORTHOOX Bays’ j) MANY MUSLIN SOMETWES WEAR ff _ NEAR PERU, WYBERICAN [) NORTHAERICAN | WAEAO GIRLS AND |) AND MEN OFTEN | TINS RS TeAcHL ane ey Me : ies {OMEN EY EROWLONG HR |] WOMEN AROUND [9 }) CALLED KANZASHI. EN USE BETWEEN OUR THE WORLD PATTERNED US TO NATURE = J ee an Gear eas | mi eayitenine | | PAT elnes ANCESTORS HAR SOS BY COVERING. PECOMMIMY_ (P HAIR SHAPED Like | PON? AND HARE KNOWLETES. | WRAPPED AROUND || snCRED 19 Jens, || OUR HAR WITH eat ASEED POPLA |) STORIES WHLE RADITIONALLY, [AN ANIMAL HORN. eRe ee ASCARF | SYMBO. OF LF. PRA NCY we OMY UT [) TIMFROM THE | errs TLIVE NEAR ~ , NS, | o— |) NOUENN, Gia f i ¢ BAW. _ INDIA. —— £-

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voL.49 No.1 %& Brilliant Star 27 [Page 28]RNER

Look for clues throughout the magazine.

COSMO'S CO

3. Sheep’s wool is colored by (p.7) 5. Ittakes

7. Like the flowers in a garden, beautiful and interesting. (p. 6)

_______to speak up about injustice. (p. 19)

ACROSS

8. Picture our human every color. (p. 10)

9. Anya and Paziano both appreciate being__. (p. 17)

-(p. 24)

13. Try to use any privilege you have to create more in our world. (p. 25)

14. ‘Abdu'l-Baha put Louis in the place of

15. Tree National Park is named for a rare, tree-like succulent. (p. 11)

12. Mag Carney trained future

FROM OUR MAILBOX

and it makes me want to be a Baha'i

of immigrants in our country.

—Layli G., age 10, Massachusetts, U.S.

makes our world

as a garden of flowers in

-(p. 26)

[Brilliant Star] makes me feel happy inside,

when | grow up. [If | could choose a theme] | would choose world unity, because there is too much prejudice

in the world and we are very afraid

WHAT’S YOUR WISH FOR OUR PLANET?

| = ‘\ Op TGA AF

—

2. See each person as a

4. Develop real and cultures. (p. 12)

1. A medicine wheel is a___ American Indian symbol. (p. 8)

individual. (p. 13)

with people from different races

5. When enough people point out racism, in time, attitudes

will .(p. 19)

6. Tod says that everyone has a

to play in eliminating

racial prejudice and creating racial unity and justice. (p. 23) 10. About 98% of Antarctica is made of -(p. 11) 11. Andrea says, throughout history, progress towards racial

unity has often been through

KEY: T=Top, C=Center, B=Bottom, L=Left, R=Right

Page 7: Collaborative Collin at TL, Open- Minded Orphus and Kind Katie at TC, Ichabod Integrity at CL, Trustworthy Toto at C, Creative Clyde, Mindful Myrtle, and Thought Thera at CR, Listening Laverne at BC

Page 10: Basket and gloves at TC, pruners and shovel at CL, cart at C, watering can at GR, hoe at BL, trowel at BC, rake at BR

Page 11: California, Desert Iguana

Page 13: 1) kindness, 2) listen, 3) culture, 4) communication, 5) welcome, 6) Look, 7) speak, 8) friends, 9) aware

-(p. 3) 14. For many cultures, styles of this have specific meaning. (p. 27)

Page 20: 1) True, 2) True, 3) Tue, 4) True 5) True, 6) False: “Race” appeared in English in the 1500s. 7) True, 8) True, 9) Tue,

10) True, 11) False: Africa has the greatest human variation. 12) False: Education and empathy can help people overcome racism,

Page 21: Clockwise from TL: Arrogant Argo = 4, Suspicious Sig = 2, Hagy Hurtful = 1 Impatient Igo =5, Ignorant Iggy = 9, Pog Prejudice = 6, Superior Sul = 8, Stubborn Stubzo = 3, Critical Cret = 7

Page 27: 1) Japan, 2) Ecuador, 3) Ethiopia, 4)US, 5) China, 6 Israel, 7) Pakistan

28 Brilliant Star % voL49 No1 [Page 29].

.

“@ ZEKE & RHOMBUS:

‘fl ey, Earthlings! Zeke here, with my pet, Rhombus, from

Planet Zilizag. We have a blast zipping through your solar system on our mission to find peaceful planets.

Everyone we've met on Earth wants to live in peace. Most people love and respect their fellow humans, even if they're from different parts of the planet. But we've seen injustice and violence, too. Prejudice is like a terrible illness that can infect anyone—and

saat % ADVENTURE

° you may not even realize it. Some people don’t have any friends from a different race or ethnic group. Building those friendships can help end prejudice forever!

When you've been around the universe like we have, it’s easy to see that all Earthlings are part of one family. If you don't see diverse folks in your neighborhood, find them—and reach out with love. We created peace on Zilizag, and we know you can doit on Earth, too!

o1 » Brilliant Star

[Page 30]‘ee powerful is the light of unity that tt con Ltuminate the whele earth.” —Rohdlwtih ~ ;