The afternoon rolled into a long summers’ day as I drifted about finding my way finally to sound of bouncing leather on the shiny hardwood floors of McCann Gymnasium. I stood silently along the blue padded walls in amazement as young men drenched with sweat crafted their skills. It dawned on me that they were being “coached” by a few men who yelled out instructions from the sidebar though I thought I was watching a pick-up game. My summer football workout of my sophomore year had just ended prior and I was trying to bum a ride to back to my side of town in lieu of the long walk to the “hitchhike corner” that awaited me. The man yelled out…”throw the ball into to Robert!” Everyone within a three hour plane ride knew who “Robert (McCoy)” was…a guy with flowing braids, a quiet swagger, and a game that made him one of the top hoopers’ in the State of Illinois. I had built a local reputation of sorts as the first Black Quarterback the school had seen since it opened circa 1900’…so people would at least waive in passing. I sighed; reserved in my fate that there were no takers from this place that I might easily meet my final destination on this afternoon. I stepped softly under the radar of the coach to an empty court on the far side. A loose ball drifting slowly away got my attention as I grabbed it and began to shoot a few lay-ups. Suddenly a voice appeared from my left shoulder “hey, how about a game to eleven…make-it take-it”. Let’s go”, I replied to this taller guy thinking maybe I could use my muscles to push him for a couple of baskets. He threw the ball to me at the top of the key; I dribble quarter court left side and threw up a shot… “clank”…not realizing that it would be my last. He ran off eleven long range jumpers in row, irrespective of me pushing him, fouling him repeatedly, and even an “oops sorry” after I put my hand directly on his face. We briefly talked afterwards about excitement of his upcoming freshmen year…he would be immediately playing with a group of local “rock stars”. But in his own right…and everyone knew that his reputation had preceded him. I thanked him for the shellacking, slapped him five and ventured off towards’ the dreaded “corner”. My walk that day did not seem so long anymore. I first strolled pass Marnells’ Sandwich Shop…thinking only if I had a buck and some change I could feast on one of their famous beef combo sandwiches, as surely that would hold me until dinner time. I passed further down the way slowing on the main drag hoping I would catch a neighbor returning from the shopping center and say “hey, you going my way?” Maybe I would see a pretty girl perhaps, and this walk would all make sense to me. But there was nothing happening. But it was cool…because I was cool. It was a time in the life of Black America that was still innocent. No hard drugs, shootings, single family homes headed by women or the Prison Industrial Complex. We grew up in the last safe generation. Time seem to stand still…now it rushes by. I arrived to the “hitchhike corner” that served as the last gateway that connected two towns... and copped a ride fairly quickly. Shortly after being dropped off from the defacto’ free cab service and making my way home with an empty stomach and no phone number of the pretty girl that I would only seem to stumble upon in my dreams, I remember feeling special about something. I've lived to tell this story in my mind a thousand times it seems…the day I encountered greatness”. For nothing could replace the joy of my chance meeting with the first and last Rock Star of my life…his name is Raymond McCoy. I last saw him five years ago on a winter trip back to the old neighborhood. The day skies filled with grey as the wind blustered about. He was walking out of a gas station after buying a few “squares”. We embraced and talked briefly as I offered him a plane ticket to spend some time with me in the sunny skies and white sand beaches of Florida. He took my number and replied, “I will call you”. I rushed our conversation partly to escape the cold of Chicago’s unforgiving winter and partly because I was sure he would take me up on my offer. “I am waiting on a call from this job downtown and I am sure I will get it, then I will let you know”, he replied.
All who read this brief anecdote (and perhaps a prelude to a book I will d about him), will agree that there was none better. Though his peers all moved on to success in the limelight of the NBA in some faze or another (Isaiah Thomas, Mark Aguirre, Rod Higgins, Craig Hodges, Doc Rivers and too many others), of Raymond, none was better. We loved him like the time that we lived in. There was a different scent in the air it seemed when we watched him. Maybe he embodied for us “a time when all was good”. Maybe he defined for each of us who knew him and of him “the better part of us”. Maybe he gave us for a split moment a chance to claim that we had the best in our midst and we knew it full well…allowing us for a moment to hold our heads just a little bit higher. Looking back, just maybe he gave us the best part of our lives. Perhaps I still struggle to replace the happiness.
A long time has past since the last sighting of the great one…I still wait for that call from Raymond, knowing facetiously that he has my number stashed away in a some safe place. Perhaps he left me believing in the best of the human spirit… each time my phone rings…each time I check my messages.
Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, The Muslim Street
http://www.muslimstreet.net/
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
“Is Islam a Religion of Peace?”
This question has arisen as the subject of debate in the West. “Is Islam a Religion of Peace?” These conversations are often one-sided. Dominated by either political right-wing extremist (former House speaker Newt Gingrich or the Bill O’Reilly types), apologetic “Westernized” Muslims’ seeking their entry into the”law of acceptance” (fill in the blanks) at any cost or self-deprecating ex-Muslims (Ayaan Hirsi Ali (a born again self hater) and Irshad Manji (an alleged homosexual) whom are well financed by the West to spew their personal pain and hatred toward Islam. Well, they never invite me to these debates so I am inviting myself. Here is my brief retort.
First, to answer this tedious question “Is Islam a Religion of Peace”? I have been a Muslim most of my physical life and all of my religious life and for sure and I have not killed anyone…yet. That’s all the energy I will give that question
However, I grew up in a Christian country, the great (lower case) U.S. of A. My ancestors’ were from the African continent. This is a historical fact. It is also a fact that upwards to 75% of them was practicing Muslims’. They were brought here and enslaved for 310 years by Christians. The Christians beat them, killed them, sold them between each other like chairs and horses and raped the female Muslims repeatedly (see President George Washington and his daily sexcapades on his plantation away from Martha and also President Thomas Jefferson whom started raping his slave girl (Sally Hemmings as early as 12 or 13 years old). I will use this forum to make a posthumous “citizens’ arrest” for rape and child molestation of Sally Hemmings. Pres. Jefferson….you are now under arrest. Step away from the grave and place your hands where I can see them. These same Christians were the authors of a worthless document called the Constitution of the United States of America…I mean, is this not the document which states (its’ still there by the way) that Black people are 3/5 of a human being? Where was it when slavery was going on? Where was it for nearly 100 years of the “Jim Crow” South when they were “poll taxing us at the voting booth and hanging us from trees? Where was it when the U.S. government was conducting the “Tuskegee Experiments? Where was it when the C.O.I.N.T.E.L.P.R.O was being launched by the F.B.I. that led to the murder of Chairman Fred Hampton and others’ by the U.S. government? I would add to my retort, that Black Americans’ (and I use that term lightly…Malcolm X said…’just because a cat has biscuits in the oven don’t make them kittens) did not choose the religion of Christianity no more than they chose to eat the guts’ of hogs’ (chitterlings’ or chittlins’ if you are keeping score at home). Christianity was forced upon them whit a whip and shackles. The aforementioned President Washington was purported to have beaten his slaves everyday of there lives. Reparations please…NOW!
1. Tell you what…I will give you a break and not discuss the wonton slaughter and genocide led by Christopher Columbus of the Native North Americans Nations…the Choctaw, Iroquois, Blackhawk, Cherokee, Seminole, Sioux, Arawak, Apache etc…by whom? You guess it…Christians. My retort would end with this. America and the West can cry about “terrorism” while I will cry about “State Sponsored Terrorism”. I would start with the murder of over 100,000 Iraqis citizens’ in two illegal oil wars’ and the chasing of twenty-five percent of their population across the border as refugees in Syria. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that cause Pres. Ronald Reagan (it hurts me to say his name) to drop a bomb in Tripoli and murder the 2 year old daughter (Hanane) of the President of Libya. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that allowed the U.S. to support and fund Apartheid South Africa for over four decades. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that allows U.S. tax dollars to flow freely into the hands of Israel so they can murder, terrorize and occupy Palestinians. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” of Pres. Reagan’s drug cartel/crack cocaine funded Contra’s in his war against Daniel Ortega in Nigaura. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that directly resulted into the assassination of President Patrice Lumumba in the Congo and the overthrow of the first President of Ghana Osegeyfo Kwame Nkrumah. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that led to the death of General Rene’ Schneider in Chile. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that led to as many as twelve assassination attempts (see the “Bay of Pigs” and “Operation Mongoose” both C.I.A. documented operations) on Pres. Fidel Castro of Cuba. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that led to the CIA’s involvement in the murder of Ernesto “Che” Guevara. And finally, the biggest terrorist meeting ever held in the history of the world “The Berlin Conference” (1884-85), where the West sat down and carved up the world and embarked on its’ imperialistic mission that affects the geopolitics’ of our lives today.
In conclusion, I simply ask two intelligent questions in my retort, “Who is the real Terrorist”…and “Is Christianity a religion of Peace”?
Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, Darfur 23
http://www.darfur23.org/
First, to answer this tedious question “Is Islam a Religion of Peace”? I have been a Muslim most of my physical life and all of my religious life and for sure and I have not killed anyone…yet. That’s all the energy I will give that question
However, I grew up in a Christian country, the great (lower case) U.S. of A. My ancestors’ were from the African continent. This is a historical fact. It is also a fact that upwards to 75% of them was practicing Muslims’. They were brought here and enslaved for 310 years by Christians. The Christians beat them, killed them, sold them between each other like chairs and horses and raped the female Muslims repeatedly (see President George Washington and his daily sexcapades on his plantation away from Martha and also President Thomas Jefferson whom started raping his slave girl (Sally Hemmings as early as 12 or 13 years old). I will use this forum to make a posthumous “citizens’ arrest” for rape and child molestation of Sally Hemmings. Pres. Jefferson….you are now under arrest. Step away from the grave and place your hands where I can see them. These same Christians were the authors of a worthless document called the Constitution of the United States of America…I mean, is this not the document which states (its’ still there by the way) that Black people are 3/5 of a human being? Where was it when slavery was going on? Where was it for nearly 100 years of the “Jim Crow” South when they were “poll taxing us at the voting booth and hanging us from trees? Where was it when the U.S. government was conducting the “Tuskegee Experiments? Where was it when the C.O.I.N.T.E.L.P.R.O was being launched by the F.B.I. that led to the murder of Chairman Fred Hampton and others’ by the U.S. government? I would add to my retort, that Black Americans’ (and I use that term lightly…Malcolm X said…’just because a cat has biscuits in the oven don’t make them kittens) did not choose the religion of Christianity no more than they chose to eat the guts’ of hogs’ (chitterlings’ or chittlins’ if you are keeping score at home). Christianity was forced upon them whit a whip and shackles. The aforementioned President Washington was purported to have beaten his slaves everyday of there lives. Reparations please…NOW!
1. Tell you what…I will give you a break and not discuss the wonton slaughter and genocide led by Christopher Columbus of the Native North Americans Nations…the Choctaw, Iroquois, Blackhawk, Cherokee, Seminole, Sioux, Arawak, Apache etc…by whom? You guess it…Christians. My retort would end with this. America and the West can cry about “terrorism” while I will cry about “State Sponsored Terrorism”. I would start with the murder of over 100,000 Iraqis citizens’ in two illegal oil wars’ and the chasing of twenty-five percent of their population across the border as refugees in Syria. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that cause Pres. Ronald Reagan (it hurts me to say his name) to drop a bomb in Tripoli and murder the 2 year old daughter (Hanane) of the President of Libya. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that allowed the U.S. to support and fund Apartheid South Africa for over four decades. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that allows U.S. tax dollars to flow freely into the hands of Israel so they can murder, terrorize and occupy Palestinians. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” of Pres. Reagan’s drug cartel/crack cocaine funded Contra’s in his war against Daniel Ortega in Nigaura. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that directly resulted into the assassination of President Patrice Lumumba in the Congo and the overthrow of the first President of Ghana Osegeyfo Kwame Nkrumah. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that led to the death of General Rene’ Schneider in Chile. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that led to as many as twelve assassination attempts (see the “Bay of Pigs” and “Operation Mongoose” both C.I.A. documented operations) on Pres. Fidel Castro of Cuba. The “State Sponsored Terrorism” that led to the CIA’s involvement in the murder of Ernesto “Che” Guevara. And finally, the biggest terrorist meeting ever held in the history of the world “The Berlin Conference” (1884-85), where the West sat down and carved up the world and embarked on its’ imperialistic mission that affects the geopolitics’ of our lives today.
In conclusion, I simply ask two intelligent questions in my retort, “Who is the real Terrorist”…and “Is Christianity a religion of Peace”?
Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, Darfur 23
http://www.darfur23.org/
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Why I Left the Black Nationalist Movement in America
We have been played out of position. While the goals and objectives of the domestic struggle for liberation must remain constant, the tactic of “Black Nationalism” as a means of achieving that goal has changed (and only recently). Malcolm X (Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz) called for Black Nationalism as a means for controlling the socio-politico and economic environment of the Black community. Who can argue in principle with this sound advice for the right of self-determination? While the community that Malcolm X and others left behind has been exposed as weak and defenseless against the aggression from overt and covert “American State-Sponsored” oppression and new forms of racism (U.S. Government sponsored importation Heroin and Crack Cocaine, the parasitic behavior of the Prison Industrial Complex, the constructed breakdown of the Black family etc...) the march toward a Nation of our own or a “Nation within a Nation even” has been abandoned by our trusted but shortsighted leadership. Malcolm argued that ‘land is the basis of independence’. I believe that. But, I have ascertained that the mantle of leadership in this schism does not. They have failed Malcolm X and with it Messrs. Garnett, Garvey, Dubois (the latter) and others too. In a radio interview recently I stated that “the Nationalist Movement in this country is dead”. Time and the circumstance of technology has presented new battlefronts and with it, new tactics. The failure of the Nationalist Movement to blend in “new and fresh blood” has resulted in a movement that is stale, ineffective and outdated. Let us understand that in order for the movement to become viable the old guard leadership must move beyond their own whims and desires of “choosing succession”. Let us also understand that a mere cursory glance at the history of other Revolutionary movements that were successful we find there was a natural transition of leadership based on hard work, preparation and most of all, merit. While on a fact finding mission to Darfur in mid-2007, I recognized (along with others) first hand that the success of the peoples struggle here would depend highly on its’ ability to immediately link up with struggling but rising people in Africa, Asia and the so-called Middle East. What do you mean? The fact that over the last part of the previous decade Africa and (Asia in particularly) have made significant overtures to expedite revolutionary change vis-à-vis the Black peoples struggle here. We must revisit a “re-worked” version of the Non Aligned Movement (NAM)...in order to advance and advance exponentially. The Nationalist Movement in this country has resisted such change by 1). Taking an anti-Arab (save paying lip service to the Palestinian struggle against the American funded Zionist occupation) actually joining “philosophical” hands with racist American’s and their paranoia 2). Taking an anti-Asian stance, particularly as it relates to new partnerships’ being created in Africa with China, India, Malaysia and others). This failed outlook has cost us dearly but is a significant part of what happens when there are no new ideas or “new blood” being cultivated. Case in point; instead of mindlessly condemning Africa’s new relationships’ as one State Department official (actually given a platform and support by the Black Nationalist movement at a debate on Darfur in Kansas City in 2007’) proclaimed “China is the new colonial power in Africa”. This is pure propaganda of which the origin can be found at the State Department. We view it differently. A new group of Black Americans calling themselves The Darfur 23, while in Africa called for the African governments to develop immediate economic and cultural relationships with Black America. They agreed to not only in words but in action. The country of Sudan (which faces a Western sponsored referendum in 2011 that will split their country into several parts (see John Prendergast and others) which borders eleven African countries serves as a geographic and strategic player for Black America to rise and “come-up” fast. They agreed in principle and contract (both the north and the V.P. of the South) partner with Black America to build Sudan and thus build Africa. Other benefits to this new type of alliance are that the Sudan serves as a natural gateway not only into Bantu Africa but also Bantu Arab interest. While the Sudan has to internally solve the problem of Darfur, the mere fact that Black Americans’ took the lead and ventured to the Sudan in attempt to help negotiate the peace and set the record straight on the Western front is a revolutionary act in and of itself. Furthermore (fact check): There are currently “BILLIONS” of dollars in contracts being negotiated on the African continent each week and Black America has not positioned itself to even be the “Sub-contractor” on those deals is saddening. We are losing. A there must be a shift in the paradigm. The Nationalist movement in America has rejected this as a tactic and strategy for “true” Nationalism to find it way to the “hoods” of Compton, Brooklyn, D.C., Baltimore, Houston’s’ 3rd Ward and the South Side of Chicago. These partnerships’ abroad and others’ like it will carve out new hope and direction of the movement domestically. As a result, The Darfur 23 and other “new blood” and forward thinking groups from the progressive Revolutionary wing of the movement are calling for the “transition of leadership”. The new leadership will not look like a mass movement circled around a few individuals. It will more resemble a group of strategist designing solutions from a Think Tank model and rapidly implementing them. We cannot afford any longer to allow our leadership to be played out of position by “so-called Black Bourgeoisie politics” that have dominated the scene over the past few years. The “transition of leadership” will began to thrust forth the necessary framework to secure the independence and wherewithal of the current and next generations. Imagine, we now live in a world were there is total global synergy and anytime-anywhere connectivity. We can be sitting (virtually) at the kitchen table of a like minded group 10,000 miles away plotting and planning “next steps” from our home front. Malcolm X did not live in this space. Therefore, our tactics must change. Marcus Garvey called out to the Black World “Where are your men and women of big affairs”. We must transfer leadership immediately. Black people of America are lagging far behind the rest of the world in the struggle for self determination. This alone has made it necessary.
Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, Darfur 23
http://www.darfur23.org/
Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, Darfur 23
http://www.darfur23.org/
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The F.B.I. and Muslims' in America
The F.B.I. and Muslims in America
Historically, the Federal Bureau of Investigation relationship with Muslims’ in America has been synonymous with its relationship with organizations and individuals in the larger society whom dared to challenge the American status quo. J. Edgar Hoover’s (founder of the F.B.I.) career was launched in the 1920’s with its formation and subsequent destruction of the largest mass protest organization in Black American history…Marcus Garvey and the U.N.I.A. We can also point to 1940’s and their harassment of other social activist such as Paul Roberson and Dr. W.E.B. Dubois. Taking the form of “predator” vis-à-vis the Black liberation struggle in the 1960-70’s, the F.B.I. launched a successful taxpayer financed offensive primarily on its Black population called the “Counter Intelligence Program” (a.k.a. C.O.I.N.T.E.L.P.R.O.), as Black Americans’ tried to navigate their way socio-politically thru the stench of Jim Crow and neo-colonialism.
Here are some facts; Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam (the F.B.I. placed an agent in the hierarchy of the group as an arch enemy to Malcolm X, see John Ali…its’ National Secretary, Dr. Martin Luther King (extensively wiretapped by the Kennedy admin), The Black Panther Party (Bobby Seal, Huey Newton, Dhuroba bin Wahad… also see the assassination of Fred Hampton in Chicago, and others were stalked by the United States government. In addition, other government agencies such as the “House Un-American Activities Committee” and the “Subversive Activities Control Act” participated in this harassment. What’s perplexing about America is that (like a parasite) it has a needs’ for a domestic and international enemies (fictional or not)…this seems to serve its agenda of hypocrisy and double-speak.
According to John Stockwell, (the highest ranking C.I.A. officer to ever go public), on the eve of the fall of the Soviet Union in the late 1980’s, C.I.A. agents all over the globe rushed home from their imperialist missions only to infiltrate over 80 different Black social and political organizations. By 1990-91 with the Soviet Union off the map, America launched its international war on Islam. The Chicago Tribune newspaper reported this very fact in mid-year 1990 on a Sunday addition. Domestically, the F.B.I. manned a special task force of 100 persons’ to harass Minister Louis Farrakhan and his organization. The key aim of this ongoing initiative is based in the same ole “dirty tricks squads” antics of past decades.
Further, the F.B.I. has re-launched C.O.I.N.T.E.L.P.R.O. with its’ Patriot Act counterpart into key Masajid in every tier 1 and tier 2 city in this country.
Due to the lack of synergy between Muslims whom have migrated to America from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa and indigenous Black American Muslims, the F.B.I. seems to have a free reign inside the Masjid thru highly placed undercover agents “setting up” young immigrants for sting operations and traps that otherwise would be “snuffed” out if they tried it with their Black American brethren. The past harassment in the 1960-70’s makes them to keen to that “old game”. The oft-times separate duality that exist between the two groups allow for different perspectives in this matter. The immigrant Muslims’ goals and objectives of complete assimilation in American society puts’ them at ideological odds with indigenous Muslims. For Black American Muslims: 1) you will find more political and community activism 2) the very fact that Black Americans’ threw off the “yoke” of Christianity and converted to Islam in the first place speaks directly to the most significant step they will take in their lifetime against assimilation vis-à-vis the “slave mentality”. We find the immigrant Muslims’ view of the F.B.I. as a “social services agency” differs from the relationship this government “goon squad” of crooks, liars’ and assassins (see Malcolm X and its interference in…and the death of Chairman Fred Hampton of the BPP in Illinois) has historically with the Black community. For the Black brethren of Muslims’ would run for cover as oppose to the hospitality of immigrant Muslims of offering the F.B.I. tea, exotic food and a comfortable seat each time they come snooping for “snitches for green cards” at the Masjid.
What is clear in this landscape, is that The U.S. government currently is involved in infiltration, divide and conquer campaigns, trump up charges, and the surveillance and wiretapping of its’ Muslim citizens. The obvious goal is to continue its domestic and international campaign to attack, destabilize and control from within and without the growth of Islam in America and throughout the world. What is un- clear is how the Muslim body as a whole in this country will prepare to deal with it.
(Al-Hajj) Abdul-Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, Darfur 23
http://www.darfur23.org/
Historically, the Federal Bureau of Investigation relationship with Muslims’ in America has been synonymous with its relationship with organizations and individuals in the larger society whom dared to challenge the American status quo. J. Edgar Hoover’s (founder of the F.B.I.) career was launched in the 1920’s with its formation and subsequent destruction of the largest mass protest organization in Black American history…Marcus Garvey and the U.N.I.A. We can also point to 1940’s and their harassment of other social activist such as Paul Roberson and Dr. W.E.B. Dubois. Taking the form of “predator” vis-à-vis the Black liberation struggle in the 1960-70’s, the F.B.I. launched a successful taxpayer financed offensive primarily on its Black population called the “Counter Intelligence Program” (a.k.a. C.O.I.N.T.E.L.P.R.O.), as Black Americans’ tried to navigate their way socio-politically thru the stench of Jim Crow and neo-colonialism.
Here are some facts; Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam (the F.B.I. placed an agent in the hierarchy of the group as an arch enemy to Malcolm X, see John Ali…its’ National Secretary, Dr. Martin Luther King (extensively wiretapped by the Kennedy admin), The Black Panther Party (Bobby Seal, Huey Newton, Dhuroba bin Wahad… also see the assassination of Fred Hampton in Chicago, and others were stalked by the United States government. In addition, other government agencies such as the “House Un-American Activities Committee” and the “Subversive Activities Control Act” participated in this harassment. What’s perplexing about America is that (like a parasite) it has a needs’ for a domestic and international enemies (fictional or not)…this seems to serve its agenda of hypocrisy and double-speak.
According to John Stockwell, (the highest ranking C.I.A. officer to ever go public), on the eve of the fall of the Soviet Union in the late 1980’s, C.I.A. agents all over the globe rushed home from their imperialist missions only to infiltrate over 80 different Black social and political organizations. By 1990-91 with the Soviet Union off the map, America launched its international war on Islam. The Chicago Tribune newspaper reported this very fact in mid-year 1990 on a Sunday addition. Domestically, the F.B.I. manned a special task force of 100 persons’ to harass Minister Louis Farrakhan and his organization. The key aim of this ongoing initiative is based in the same ole “dirty tricks squads” antics of past decades.
Further, the F.B.I. has re-launched C.O.I.N.T.E.L.P.R.O. with its’ Patriot Act counterpart into key Masajid in every tier 1 and tier 2 city in this country.
Due to the lack of synergy between Muslims whom have migrated to America from the Middle East, Asia, and Africa and indigenous Black American Muslims, the F.B.I. seems to have a free reign inside the Masjid thru highly placed undercover agents “setting up” young immigrants for sting operations and traps that otherwise would be “snuffed” out if they tried it with their Black American brethren. The past harassment in the 1960-70’s makes them to keen to that “old game”. The oft-times separate duality that exist between the two groups allow for different perspectives in this matter. The immigrant Muslims’ goals and objectives of complete assimilation in American society puts’ them at ideological odds with indigenous Muslims. For Black American Muslims: 1) you will find more political and community activism 2) the very fact that Black Americans’ threw off the “yoke” of Christianity and converted to Islam in the first place speaks directly to the most significant step they will take in their lifetime against assimilation vis-à-vis the “slave mentality”. We find the immigrant Muslims’ view of the F.B.I. as a “social services agency” differs from the relationship this government “goon squad” of crooks, liars’ and assassins (see Malcolm X and its interference in…and the death of Chairman Fred Hampton of the BPP in Illinois) has historically with the Black community. For the Black brethren of Muslims’ would run for cover as oppose to the hospitality of immigrant Muslims of offering the F.B.I. tea, exotic food and a comfortable seat each time they come snooping for “snitches for green cards” at the Masjid.
What is clear in this landscape, is that The U.S. government currently is involved in infiltration, divide and conquer campaigns, trump up charges, and the surveillance and wiretapping of its’ Muslim citizens. The obvious goal is to continue its domestic and international campaign to attack, destabilize and control from within and without the growth of Islam in America and throughout the world. What is un- clear is how the Muslim body as a whole in this country will prepare to deal with it.
(Al-Hajj) Abdul-Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, Darfur 23
http://www.darfur23.org/
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
What's On The Horizon For Black American Muslims?
What's On The Horizon For Black American Muslims?
(Note: This is a reprint from 10/22/08)
Time and circumstances have created an opportunity that now resides squarely at the door of the Black American Muslim…“THE TRANSITION OF LEADERSHIP.” The same holds true in the larger Black community in America as we scuffle to redefine ourselves in the wake of leadership that has 1) aged not only in years, but ideals 2) will be forced to capitulate to the new “non-racial” politics of a President Barack Obama which are the politics of non-aggression and 3) has bought into the illusion of socio-economic assimilation, though history and statistical data spells’ out a significant failure of this schism as an attainable goal and objective for Black people on a mass scale. This same narrative will play itself in the Muslim community amongst its’ Black so-called (for lack of a better phrase) “indigenous population”.
The nepotism and cronyism of past and present Black American Muslim groups, that has dominated the concentration of leadership within the context of a few “chosen ones”, has stymied us. As a result of this, no real room for the natural process of homegrown leadership that embodies fresh ideals and approaches which will enable us to prosper. The key crisis that the Black American Muslim community will face will be “redefinition”. “THE TRANSITION OF LEADERSHIP must openly engage itself as a new body-politic in the key crisis in Black Muslim America …the crisis of direction. This new bank of leadership must rapidly organize itself as a broad-based cadre around linear issues that seek to define ourselves as a serious player within the Americana Muslim construct. A entity that now includes immigrant Muslim populations from various points of the globe that have very different socio-political goals and objectives than Black American Muslims and the mass ability to attain them very quickly in the context of a racist White America. In addition, we must construct a base coupled with a critical think-tank for African Muslim affairs abroad (as the U.S. Government launches its offensive toward Somalia, Sudan and other Muslim countries on the African continent). This point brings to me a very significant point in this brief writing.
The legacy of Black American Muslims is the legacy of slavery and the struggle to free ourselves from every element of its’ perpetual existence. The spiritual conscientiousness’ of converting to Islam from the yoke of the American Slave experience of Christianity represents the’ plateau in the victory over oppression. While there are other levels’ of oppressions, the exorcising of the yoke of Christianity is primary. Thus, the legacy of struggle remains a foundation in the life of the relatively new Muslim. I think it is farsighted that as a religious-conscience group (bound by our history) to think that we can negotiate those principles and it’s’ far reaching implications to immigrant Muslim communities that by their own circumstance have very different agendas’. Nor should it be important. Well, what do you mean? Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz (Malcolm X) argued on his return from Makkah and his Hajj that we should establish two separate entities’. He established one entity for political purposes only and another for Din. As a model, Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz (Malcolm X) established the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) for mere purposes of protest, nation building and a vehicle to fight domestic and international oppression. On the other hand, he established the Muslim Mosque Inc. for those who wanted to study the Din of Islam and provide effective Dawah to the broader community. As we look forward to …“The transition of leadership” the model of Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz (Malcolm X) is superior. This model will allow successes and victories on many fronts that are hampering the growth and significance of the Black American Muslim. Case in point: The full and complete integration of the Islamic community in America is vital and must take place. Understanding the aforementioned socio-political goals of the various immigrant Muslim communities allows us to conclude that they are just that...Social and economic upward mobilization. We cannot confuse this with our ultimate aim to become a whole and synergetic part of the Ummah of Sayindina Muhammad (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallim). Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz’ (Malcolm X) wisdom of establishing two fronts gives us the latitude to begin to understand ourselves effectively. 1) Those whom are the politically conscience activist Muslims’ and seek to engage in struggle against oppression domestically and internationally will meet inside of that corridor 2) A separate and sacred entity (for Din only) will allow for the harmony and synergy of both immigrant and indigenous Muslim communities.
Understanding and accepting that the immigrant Muslim community by nature has a very different agenda than those whom are historically homegrown is significant. First, we must come to grips with our own history in this country to fully embrace this. Please understand that slavery is an economic condition, first...and in the case of America had sever racist implications. The legacy of slavery still chases Black America as whole to this date. The very fact that we are so far behind the beneficiaries of slavery (our White counterparts) cannot be swept under the American Flag. As a result, politically, we must be engaged in struggle. The issues that confront us are not necessarily the issues that affect other Muslim groups in this country, but we cannot let these different struggles become a dividing point. So we must meet at a common place…the Masjid and the AHL AS-SUNNAH WA'L JAMA'AH.
For the immigrant Muslims, they seek full assimilation into American society…some have given way to the idealism of a broad-spectrum bourgeoisie with big time aspirations. Take a cursor glance around the Information Technology and Pre-Med departments on any tier 1 college campus in America to understand this. It is dominated by immigrant Muslims that shortly after graduation will be high salaried Doctors and corporate I.T. department heads. Remember…slavery is first (before anything else) an economic condition. History has showed us that prior to 2001 the immigrant Muslim community voted overwhelmingly Republican. With the onslaught of oppressive legal statutes as a consequence of George W. Bush’s “war on Islam”, the immigrants Muslims have changed their voting patterns 180 degrees…they are now Democrats. The different goals and objectives of these two groups…one whom have has found itself living the continuum legacy of slavery with no Reparations to think of, the other whom has firmly planted their feet in the American middle and upper middle class- through hard work and a cultural value system from the old country intact…must only be negotiated within a process that Allah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala) gives us in the Quran –As-Shura.
The new leadership (among Black American Muslims’) on the other hand cannot make the mistakes of the old vanguard in seeking pure assimilation for assimilation sake. This was a socio-political gaff that in the past context took religious overtones. The justification of Din into a goal of assimilation with largely Christian America is a mistake and carries with it transparency and more of the same hard-luck.
The deep resentment displayed in the Black American Muslim community towards immigrants Muslims serves the enemies goals of divide and conquer. Have we forgotten what the American Government sponsored Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) accomplished in dissimilating Black organizational struggle in the recent past? Have we forgotten the successful campaigns of Western Imperialism and its’ effective dividing of Africa with the end game of pitting brother against brother and rendering Africa helpless? Rasoullah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallim) sought a single Ummah. Don’t lose sight of this.
I served as founder and chairman of the Florida Branch of The National Black United Front. Recently, I parted ways (the entire Florida branch concurred) with the national body over the issue of the Sudan, Darfur, and the so-called Arabs of that region. After spending nearly a month in the Sudan and Darfur last year on a fact finding mission, I was appalled to find upon my return the Anti- Muslim behavior of the Pan African-Nationalist community in this country. I debated the national body on the issues of my vast research on the ground in the Sudan only to be rebuffed toe to toe with the likes of Rev. Herbert Daughtry (the founder The National Black United Front), current national chairman Dr. Conrad Worrill, and academics in the movement such as Dr. Oba T’Shaka and Dr. Leonard Jefferies all whom are blinded by their ultra- hatred for Muslims’ in general and Arabs in particular. (Writers’ note…the Arabs of Darfur and primarily the Sudan are darker in skin color than most Black Americans and very proud of their African heritage and history. I asked Arab Muslimah what is the meaning of the word “Sudan”. She forcefully threw up a Black Power fist reminiscent of the 1960’s and shouted…’The land of the Blacks’…please see our latest project on Darfur…an eyewitness report at: www.darfur23.org)
My point here is that the Pan African/Nationalist community is aiding and abetting an eventual overthrow and American occupation of the Sudan in order that they may steal the vast resources of the Sudan, Oil and Uranium... (See Joe Biden). On a domestic level, we cannot fall for this trap within this Ummah. The Muslims’ of the Darfur must settle all differences in the context of Mashura.
In summation, because of external consequences of Globalization we (all of us) now live in a completely different but intersting environment. In our worlds…there is no more “here”, but only “there-there”. In a click of the mouse on your computer you can interacting with a Muslim at his kitchen table ten thousand miles away. No longer can we live in separate conclaves and expect to truly understand ourselves and how we are to relate to the rest of the world. Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) says in Al-Quran… “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has al-taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware”.
(Al-Hajj) Abdul-Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, Darfur 23
http://www.darfur23.org/
(Note: This is a reprint from 10/22/08)
Time and circumstances have created an opportunity that now resides squarely at the door of the Black American Muslim…“THE TRANSITION OF LEADERSHIP.” The same holds true in the larger Black community in America as we scuffle to redefine ourselves in the wake of leadership that has 1) aged not only in years, but ideals 2) will be forced to capitulate to the new “non-racial” politics of a President Barack Obama which are the politics of non-aggression and 3) has bought into the illusion of socio-economic assimilation, though history and statistical data spells’ out a significant failure of this schism as an attainable goal and objective for Black people on a mass scale. This same narrative will play itself in the Muslim community amongst its’ Black so-called (for lack of a better phrase) “indigenous population”.
The nepotism and cronyism of past and present Black American Muslim groups, that has dominated the concentration of leadership within the context of a few “chosen ones”, has stymied us. As a result of this, no real room for the natural process of homegrown leadership that embodies fresh ideals and approaches which will enable us to prosper. The key crisis that the Black American Muslim community will face will be “redefinition”. “THE TRANSITION OF LEADERSHIP must openly engage itself as a new body-politic in the key crisis in Black Muslim America …the crisis of direction. This new bank of leadership must rapidly organize itself as a broad-based cadre around linear issues that seek to define ourselves as a serious player within the Americana Muslim construct. A entity that now includes immigrant Muslim populations from various points of the globe that have very different socio-political goals and objectives than Black American Muslims and the mass ability to attain them very quickly in the context of a racist White America. In addition, we must construct a base coupled with a critical think-tank for African Muslim affairs abroad (as the U.S. Government launches its offensive toward Somalia, Sudan and other Muslim countries on the African continent). This point brings to me a very significant point in this brief writing.
The legacy of Black American Muslims is the legacy of slavery and the struggle to free ourselves from every element of its’ perpetual existence. The spiritual conscientiousness’ of converting to Islam from the yoke of the American Slave experience of Christianity represents the’ plateau in the victory over oppression. While there are other levels’ of oppressions, the exorcising of the yoke of Christianity is primary. Thus, the legacy of struggle remains a foundation in the life of the relatively new Muslim. I think it is farsighted that as a religious-conscience group (bound by our history) to think that we can negotiate those principles and it’s’ far reaching implications to immigrant Muslim communities that by their own circumstance have very different agendas’. Nor should it be important. Well, what do you mean? Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz (Malcolm X) argued on his return from Makkah and his Hajj that we should establish two separate entities’. He established one entity for political purposes only and another for Din. As a model, Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz (Malcolm X) established the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU) for mere purposes of protest, nation building and a vehicle to fight domestic and international oppression. On the other hand, he established the Muslim Mosque Inc. for those who wanted to study the Din of Islam and provide effective Dawah to the broader community. As we look forward to …“The transition of leadership” the model of Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz (Malcolm X) is superior. This model will allow successes and victories on many fronts that are hampering the growth and significance of the Black American Muslim. Case in point: The full and complete integration of the Islamic community in America is vital and must take place. Understanding the aforementioned socio-political goals of the various immigrant Muslim communities allows us to conclude that they are just that...Social and economic upward mobilization. We cannot confuse this with our ultimate aim to become a whole and synergetic part of the Ummah of Sayindina Muhammad (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallim). Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shabazz’ (Malcolm X) wisdom of establishing two fronts gives us the latitude to begin to understand ourselves effectively. 1) Those whom are the politically conscience activist Muslims’ and seek to engage in struggle against oppression domestically and internationally will meet inside of that corridor 2) A separate and sacred entity (for Din only) will allow for the harmony and synergy of both immigrant and indigenous Muslim communities.
Understanding and accepting that the immigrant Muslim community by nature has a very different agenda than those whom are historically homegrown is significant. First, we must come to grips with our own history in this country to fully embrace this. Please understand that slavery is an economic condition, first...and in the case of America had sever racist implications. The legacy of slavery still chases Black America as whole to this date. The very fact that we are so far behind the beneficiaries of slavery (our White counterparts) cannot be swept under the American Flag. As a result, politically, we must be engaged in struggle. The issues that confront us are not necessarily the issues that affect other Muslim groups in this country, but we cannot let these different struggles become a dividing point. So we must meet at a common place…the Masjid and the AHL AS-SUNNAH WA'L JAMA'AH.
For the immigrant Muslims, they seek full assimilation into American society…some have given way to the idealism of a broad-spectrum bourgeoisie with big time aspirations. Take a cursor glance around the Information Technology and Pre-Med departments on any tier 1 college campus in America to understand this. It is dominated by immigrant Muslims that shortly after graduation will be high salaried Doctors and corporate I.T. department heads. Remember…slavery is first (before anything else) an economic condition. History has showed us that prior to 2001 the immigrant Muslim community voted overwhelmingly Republican. With the onslaught of oppressive legal statutes as a consequence of George W. Bush’s “war on Islam”, the immigrants Muslims have changed their voting patterns 180 degrees…they are now Democrats. The different goals and objectives of these two groups…one whom have has found itself living the continuum legacy of slavery with no Reparations to think of, the other whom has firmly planted their feet in the American middle and upper middle class- through hard work and a cultural value system from the old country intact…must only be negotiated within a process that Allah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala) gives us in the Quran –As-Shura.
The new leadership (among Black American Muslims’) on the other hand cannot make the mistakes of the old vanguard in seeking pure assimilation for assimilation sake. This was a socio-political gaff that in the past context took religious overtones. The justification of Din into a goal of assimilation with largely Christian America is a mistake and carries with it transparency and more of the same hard-luck.
The deep resentment displayed in the Black American Muslim community towards immigrants Muslims serves the enemies goals of divide and conquer. Have we forgotten what the American Government sponsored Counter Intelligence Program (COINTELPRO) accomplished in dissimilating Black organizational struggle in the recent past? Have we forgotten the successful campaigns of Western Imperialism and its’ effective dividing of Africa with the end game of pitting brother against brother and rendering Africa helpless? Rasoullah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Sallim) sought a single Ummah. Don’t lose sight of this.
I served as founder and chairman of the Florida Branch of The National Black United Front. Recently, I parted ways (the entire Florida branch concurred) with the national body over the issue of the Sudan, Darfur, and the so-called Arabs of that region. After spending nearly a month in the Sudan and Darfur last year on a fact finding mission, I was appalled to find upon my return the Anti- Muslim behavior of the Pan African-Nationalist community in this country. I debated the national body on the issues of my vast research on the ground in the Sudan only to be rebuffed toe to toe with the likes of Rev. Herbert Daughtry (the founder The National Black United Front), current national chairman Dr. Conrad Worrill, and academics in the movement such as Dr. Oba T’Shaka and Dr. Leonard Jefferies all whom are blinded by their ultra- hatred for Muslims’ in general and Arabs in particular. (Writers’ note…the Arabs of Darfur and primarily the Sudan are darker in skin color than most Black Americans and very proud of their African heritage and history. I asked Arab Muslimah what is the meaning of the word “Sudan”. She forcefully threw up a Black Power fist reminiscent of the 1960’s and shouted…’The land of the Blacks’…please see our latest project on Darfur…an eyewitness report at: www.darfur23.org)
My point here is that the Pan African/Nationalist community is aiding and abetting an eventual overthrow and American occupation of the Sudan in order that they may steal the vast resources of the Sudan, Oil and Uranium... (See Joe Biden). On a domestic level, we cannot fall for this trap within this Ummah. The Muslims’ of the Darfur must settle all differences in the context of Mashura.
In summation, because of external consequences of Globalization we (all of us) now live in a completely different but intersting environment. In our worlds…there is no more “here”, but only “there-there”. In a click of the mouse on your computer you can interacting with a Muslim at his kitchen table ten thousand miles away. No longer can we live in separate conclaves and expect to truly understand ourselves and how we are to relate to the rest of the world. Allah (Subhana Wa Ta’ala) says in Al-Quran… “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who has al-taqwa. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware”.
(Al-Hajj) Abdul-Malik Aziz
Co-Convener, Darfur 23
http://www.darfur23.org/
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