The world in 1912 was engaged in an arms buildup, the United States was increasingly involved in global affairs, the Titanic disaster reminded us of our mortality and limits to progress, a war in Europe was on the horizon, and the United States was racially segregated. In this context, `Abdu'l-Bahá visited the United States and spoke to the needs of the day.
From Shastri Purushotma in 2012: A Special Year for American Baha'is
The American Baha'is had provided money for Abdul Baha to sail on the Titanic. He asked instead that the funds be given to the poor and chose to travel on a more modest ship to New York in April 1912. From there he began an extensive speaking tour to discuss issues critical for the modern world that America and humanity were moving toward. On many occasions, he warned of an impending war in Europe and outlined mechanisms for global peace and disarmament. In synagogues, he warned of the possibility of a holocaust in Europe. In a highly segregated country decades before the civil rights movement, he spoke at the national meeting of the NAACP, Howard University and elsewhere about the critical importance of racial harmony to America. He spoke about economic issues that are topics of heated debate right now: the need for the elimination of the vast extremes of wealth and poverty, and the importance of just ways to harmonize labor and capital.Read the rest of the article here: 2012: A Special Year for American Baha'is
How do you think the message of `Abdu'l-Bahá in 1912 is relevant to conditions today?
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