Brilliant Star/Volume 50/Issue 6/Text

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VOL. 50 NO. 6

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Amethel Parel-Sewell EDITOR/ CREATIVE DIRECTOR C. Aaron Kreader DESIGNER/ILLUSTRATOR

Amy Renshaw — SENIOR EDITOR

Heidi Parsons ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Katie Bishop ASSISTANT EDITOR

Darcy Greenwood ASSISTANT EDITOR

Foad Ghorbani PRODUCTION ASSISTANT

Lisa Blecker ARTIST & WRITER

Donna Price WRITER

Dr. Stephen Scotti STEM EDUCATION ADVISOR

MANY THANKS TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS:

Jeff Albert » Maya Ayoubzadeh « Milo Bishop

Aakhil Cabot - Emma Eady - Lexie Eblaghie

Apraih El-Shabbaz « Nancy Evelyn - Edward Giddings Van Gilmer - Andrea Hope + Joyce Litoff » Wanda Mills Maya Panahi - Laila Pethiyagoda Layli Phillips

Clovy Robinson « Bridgette Schnider - Kaveh Shahidi Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd » Henry Warren

Nancy Wong - Roham Yazdanpanah - Nabil Zabihi

ART AND PHOTO CREDITS

Illustrations by C. Aaron Kreader, unless noted

By Lisa Blecker: Photos on pp. 8-9, 12

By Foad Ghorbani: Art on p. 24

Historical photos courtesy National Baha’i Archives, unless noted

STORY AND ACTIVITY CREDITS

By Amy Renshaw: 3, 5, 11, 14, 24, 29

By Heidi Parsons: 2, 16, 20, 22

By Katie Bishop: 4, 6, 10, 19, 21, 26

By Darcy Greenwood: 25, 27

By Lisa Blecker: 8

By Donna Price: 1), 12, 13, 14

SUBSCRIPTION RATES AND RENEWALS

To order or renew a subscription, contact Baha'i Subscriber Service: Toll-free: 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

All content in Brilliant Star is copyrighted by the National Spiritual Assembly

of the Baha'is of the U.S. or by individual contributors. For permission to copy or translate, use form at www.brilliantstarmagazine.org/permission-request or write Brilliant Star, 1233 Central St., Evanston, IL 60201. Teachers may photocopy pages in limited quantities for classroom use. “Brilliant Star”

and volume/number or 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 citizens. 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'llah’s eldest son, Abdu'l-Baha, interpreted His teachings and led the Baha’i community after Baha’u'llah’s passing. Today, Baha'is work to bring love and justice to the world, and end prejudice and discrimination of all kinds.

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Baha’u'llah’s Life: Mission of Peace Learn about the powerful Fire Tablet.

Nur’s Nook

Create a colorful bird and soar with equity.

We Are One

Explore and care for the place we all call home.

Maya’s Mysteries What's needed to build bridges of friendship?

Lightning and Luna: Episode #85 The Uplifters face an underwater threat!

Radiant Stars Get to know kids who shine, like you.

Stargazer: Van Gilmer Reaching hearts and spirits through music

Shining Lamp: Robert Turner

Meet the first African American Baha’.

Riley’s Rainforest Discover what's great about diversity.

Cosmo’s Corner

A crossword and more from our favorite chameleon

aMAZEing ADVENTURE

Bebop your way to harmony.

ISSN 0884-3635 �[Page 1]

HEARTS IN HARMONY vo1.50 No.6

L, SF

aes DESTINATIONS

Fair Play

What can games teach us about unity?

Stories of Unity

Unscramble clues to put an end to injustice.

Life of the Bab: The Promised One

He declared His station to officials in Tabriz.

Be-LEAF in Unity

) Quiz: Do You Take Action Against Racism? You can help cure this disease.

> 13 / The Signs of Oneness

If you believe in unity, how can you show it?

What Do You Say? How do you respond to racist comments?

2 O Talking About ... The Reality of Racism

Get new insights with interviews.

Media Madness Can you spot the stereotypes?

9 4 Fun & Friendship from A to Z

Start a conversation with someone new!

Flock of Fellowship

What can we learn about oneness from birds?

25

MIX

Paper from responsible sources

2S FSC® C103362

Use tree-mendous virtues to foster friendship.

DEAR FRIENDS,

When you hear your favorite tune, the lyrics, rhythm, and other elements blend together to create music that can make you happy. Ina similar way, diverse people and cultures make our human family sing.

But sweet notes turn sour when we're notin harmony in the world. Injustices, like prejudice and racism, tear us apart. They're hurtful, and they endanger people's lives and families. Racism threatens people's basic rights to safety, education, jobs, and more. We can each play our part to stop inequality and build justice and unity.

In this issue, quiz yourself on how to take action against racism. Get tips on spotting harmful messages in the media. Practice speaking up about unfair comments. Unscramble questions to spark friendships with people of all backgrounds. And get to know Van Gilmer, who uses music to engage people’s hearts and spirits.

When we all work to free ourselves from racism and prejudices, our hearts can beat in harmony.

LOVE. BRILLIANT ZIARY

Skyline by Spectrum Studio �[Page 2]

Ly do you know if something is fair? Sometimes it's easy to see, often have access to better schools and jobs than people of like if your sibling grabs five cookies and leaves youone.But —_ color, because of centuries of discrimination and inequality. unfair privilege—an ongoing, unjust advantage over others—can How does it feel to compete with kids who have an be harder to spot. For example, people who are white and wealthy advantage over you, even though you have similar skills?

Play these games to show privilege in action. Talk about your experiences with friends and family.

PRIVILEGE BALL (8-20 players) SIBLING SIGHT (5+ playersy Twoteams kick a ball pes Leader thinks of a word into the other's goal. and makes a blank for Referee changes rules each letter in it. Players every 10 minutes, alter- take turns guessing nating who benefits letters. Kids with older For example, goal posts ‘ siblings are shown narrowed or expanded, where correct letters go.

one team can pick up the ball and throw it; one team gets double points. ”

Others only hear if a letter is correct. First to guess the word wins.

BIRTHDATE BONUS (5-12 players) PET POWER (5: players)’ Leader asks players to put their : hands up, so they can’t take screenshots, then puts 15 objects on tray. Players study them for 15 seconds. Those with a pet get one

Place basketball on ground. Take turns

tossing hula hoop to encircle it. Kids born

Walt Bae Weeksiof minute. Leader hides tray, and - amonth stand closer ine ‘cies players write as many items as they can remember. HELPING HAND (6+ players) é ODD NUMBER EXTRA (65+ players)" Give partners a sock of J Choose a category, like 28 paper or plastic cups. animals or fruits. Pree

They have one minute to build a pyramid with all cups, break it down, and re-stack cups. Players wearing any blue use only one hand.

minutes, everyone tries

to write the most items in that category. No internet searching allowed. Kids whose day of birth is an odd number get an extra minute.

Play virtually or in person

2 Brilliant Star * voi50 No6 �[Page 3]

hen people say, “Don’t judge a book by its

cover,” they mean that how something

looks on the outside doesn’t tell you what’s inside. That applies to people, too.

Even if we don’t realize it, we all have prejudices —our brains assume we know about someone based on a quality like their race, ethnicity, or gender. When one racial group believes it’s superior and it has more

stories of Unity

power than other groups, that’s racism. For example, in the U.S., people of color are more likely to be expected to do poorly in school or commit crimes. They're often punished more harshly than white people. We can end unjust ideas and practices. Like diving into a new book, learning the true stories of diverse people can open our minds and hearts. Together, we can create masterpieces of friendship.

and accord and consider

ANSWERS ON PAGE 28

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voL.50 No.6 % Brilliant Star 3 �[Page 4]A Brief Timeline

The Life of the Bab

The highlighted

area marks the time in whieh this story takes place.

1819 October 20 _ Birth of the Bab in Shiraz, Iran

1842 August _| Marries Khadijih Bagum

1843. Birth of their son, Ahmad, who soon dies

1844 May 23

Declares Divine Mission as Prophet-Founder of the Babi Faith

1844 December _| Announces His station while on pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia

1847 July

Imprisonment in the fortress of Mah-Ku (The Open Mountain)

1848 Aprili0 Transfer to the fortress of Chihriq (The Grievous Mountain)

1848 July

Declares His mission to leaders in Tabriz, Iran, and is punished with the bastinado

The Bab is martyred in Tabriz, Iran.

life of the Bab: The Promised One

aji Mirza Aqast was frustrated. No

matter what he tried, he couldn't

stop the Babi Faith from growing. As prime minister—one of the most powerful men in Persia (now Iran)— he was terrified of losing power if the Bab’s teachings continued to spread. He had convinced the shah (king) to imprison the Bab in the remote castle of Mah-Ku in 1847. But the warden, the jailers, and the villagers had grown to love Him.

The Bab was moved to a prison in Chihrig, an even more distant and hostile region. The jailer had Strict instructions to keep the Bab in isolation. But this plan quickly backfired. When the jailer met the Bab, his heart was transformed by the Bab's radiant spirit. Filled with love, he refused to keep anyone away.

Soon visitors flocked to His prison. More people, including respected leaders, became Babis. Furious over another failure to suppress the Bab’s influence, the prime minister sent Him to Tabriz.

The people of Tabriz eagerly anticipated the Bab’s arrival. City officials kept Him outside the city gates, hoping to contain the excitement. But the fervor rapidly spread through the city.

The prime minister ordered the religious leaders of Tabriz to question the Bab and humiliate Him. On the day of the meeting, curious onlookers swarmed the entrance of the hall. Then the crowd parted and a deep silence fell as the Bab entered, radiating power and majesty. He confidently took an empty seat reserved for the prince.

The people of Chihriq were so transformed by the Bab’s presence that every morning, many turned toward the prison and asked for His blessing from afar.

No one dared to speak.

Finally, an official asked the Bab who He claimed to be. The Bab announced, “Lam, lam, 1am, the promised One! I am the One whose name you have for a thousand years invoked, at whose mention you have risen, whose advent you have longed to witness, and the hour of whose Revelation you have prayed God to hasten.”

An awestruck silence fell. They asked more questions, and the Bab answered with dignity. Then He arose and, without asking for permission, departed.

Unable to dishonor the Bab as they had planned, the officials decided to punish Him. The Bab's feet were severely beaten 11 times with a rod. Then He was sent back to Chihriq.

News of the Bab’s declaration that He was a Messenger of God spread like wildfire throughout Persia, inspiring His followers with courage and zeal. Though Babis faced intense persecution, the Babi Faith continued to grow and to transform people's hearts. It would soon give birth to the long- awaited mission of Baha‘u'llah.

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