Michael Penn became a Baha'i as a student at the University of Pennsylvania. Today he is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Franklin & Marshall College. His research interests include the pathogenesis of hope and hopelessness, the interpenetration of psychology and philosophy, the relationship between culture and psychopathology, and the epidemiology of gender-based violence. Professor Penn has lectured around the world and has served as a consultant and speaker at United Nations-related conferences in several countries.
1.From North Carolina to the University of Pennsylvania
Like so many of the African-Americans, we moved from the South to the North and we became New Yorkers.
2.A punch to the soul
A group of locals surrounded me, seven young white boys, and everything went blank.
3.Ye shall know them by their fruits
I started to cry, but I wasn’t sure why I was crying.
4.Thinking ourselves free
My wife is a white American – it’s startling to see how comfortable people are with her.
5.Addressing racism through constructive resilience
In addition to dismantling destructive processes, we have to build what we think is right.
6.A spiritual assembly
I was moved by the sweetness, the humility, the frankness and the love that they had for me.
7.Creating the world – or destroying it
Embodying spiritual qualities is part of the process of creating racial unity.
8.Making communities better
The junior youth said they were concerned about the way their mothers were being treated.
9.Learning to read
If we’re going to overcome prejudice, we have to become the kinds of people who are prejudice-free.