W.E.B. Duboise ( 1868-1963) was a poet, a writer, and a leader in the Civil Rights movement in America. He was a co-founder of the NAACP. Early in his adult life he learned of a racial theory that the “negro” people were genetically inferior to the “white “ people. He was surprised to learn how many of his “white” friends actually believed it, but even more startled that so many of his African American friends believed it of themselves. The thought put a block on his writing, and he wondered where he could get a genuinely impartial opinion as to the differences between the races.

Duboise had heard of a woman who could neither see nor hear. Helen Keller, (1880-1968) it seemed to him, could reveal the truth about race. She had been raised in the South, and was familiar with the presence of both “black” and “white” people, which designations were, of course, meaningless to her. Duboise made an appointment to visit Helen Keller, and was welcomed into her home. Helen was delighted to have a visitor who would chat with her through her companion, Anne Sullivan. Helen’s fingers explored Dubois’s face, and Anne interpreted to each of them.

There is no official transcript of the visit between Helen and, Duboise. but he left her home renewed, and having acquired a life- long friend . He knew that neither his color nor his voice meant anything to Helen. It was the beginning of a friendship that was cherished by both Helen and Duboise.

The world is full of misunderstandings and misconceptions about people, nations, religions, and the natural world. The apostle Peter addressed a people just beginning to discern the change that came with Christ’s resurrection: We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place until the morning star rises in your hearts. . . For Prophesy never had its origin in the human will; but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. ( 2 Peter 19&21)

When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of Truth who goes out from the the Father—he will testify about me(Jesus) (John 15:26)

The darkness of rejection and hopelessness had engulfed Duboise briefly, but an encounter with a simple truth had restored him. I believe that God intends us to encounter the truth about ourselves from His Holy Spirit of Truth.

Love in Him,

Prue