Thursday, December 18, 2008

KWANZAA: A CULTURE CELEBRATION INSPIRED BY A POLITICAL ERA

KWANZAA: A CULTURE CELEBRATION INSPIRED BY A POLITICAL ERA

By Fahim A. Knight-EL

Kwanzaa is an African American culture based celebration and it is not considered a religious holiday or as an alternative to Christmas nor is it a Black Muslim celebration. These are often the misnomers that are associated with the celebration of Kwanzaa. This article will somewhat delve into the historical and social variables in order to give the readers some understanding of the culture void of African Americans that was created by Chattel Slavery (1555-1865), the greatest criminal act in the history of humanity. We will never overlook this crime and the devastating affect it had on the psychological, social, political and economic lives of over one (100) million Africans that were killed and displaced during Middle Passage and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The impetus and motivation of Kwanzaa and its celebration has to be viewed and understood within the said historical context and the necessity of its establishment then becomes justifiable within the scheme of an African cultural linkage for the prodigal sons and daughters that were displaced 450 years ago. (Reference: Carl N. Degler; “Out of Our Past: The Forces That Shaped Modern America”).

It was founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 in Los Angles, California. The word Kwanzaa comes from the Ki- Swahili language of East Africa, which means First Fruit. Karenga would perhaps be considered a Pan-Africanist, Cultural Nationalist and perhaps one of the foremost Black Nationalist intellectuals in the United States. This writer visited the Los Angles, California Crenshaw District in 1990 and 1991 and got a chance to visited Dr. Karenga’s Us Organization Study Group. Thus, Dr. Karenga struck me to be highly intelligent and very insightful on the liberation struggles of black people in America, Africa and the Diaspora, along with having a keen knowledge of Kemet (Egypt) as an Egyptologist, anthropologist, historian, and archeologist.

Karenga rose to national prominence in the 1960s as an aspiring black nationalist and as one of the premier spokesperson and leaders in 1967 the Black Power Conference held in Newark, New Jersey on October 20, 1967, which also included Imamu Amiri Baraka, Floyd McKissick, Nathan Wright Jr. (the conference chairman and workshop coordinators) in included Ossie Davis, James Farmer, Hoyt Fuller, Nathan Hare, H. Rap Brown (Jamil El-Amin) Cleveland Sellers, Chuck Stone and host of other black activist during that time.

The United States was in an unjust war in Vietnam in South East Asia and antiwar demonstrations were taking place on white and black college campuses; protesting U.S. Foreign Policy. Thus, this also was at the height of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement being led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was protesting segregation and racism in the Jim Crow South and North inside the United States; demanding public accommodation and equal rights under the law. King advocated non-violent social change, but organizations like the Deacons for Defense in Monroe, North Carolina headed Robert Williams (NAACP president in Monroe, NC), and Stokley Carmichael (Kwame Ture) Lowndes County, Alabama had already began to formulate the early stages of “Black Power” and actually the symbol of the Black Panther came out of Lowndes, County Alabama before Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale officially established the Black Panther Party in 1966 in Los Angles. (Reference: Elaine Brown: “A Taste of Power: A Black Woman’s Story”).

The United States in the 1960s was a social tender box in which segregation, political, economic, and social disparities created an atmosphere of unrest and black grassroots people began to call for freedom, justice and equality by any means necessary. The Vietnam War was steadily heighten the contradictions and although, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on August 28, 1963 led one of the largest mass protest demonstration in the history of the United States on the Capitol grounds for equality, jobs, public accommodation and inclusion, which his strategy was based on Civil Disobedience modeled after the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi. The political mood was beginning to change and the social politics being led by the political left were becoming more radicalized and challenging to the traditional Civil Rights leaders philosophy. The racist Jim Crow philosophy was tearing the United States apart as a nation and although the Brown versus Board of Education decision was rendered by the United States Supreme Court in 1954. It was not until African Americans had fought for the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Bill and 1965 Voting Rights Act which these two groundbreaking pieces of legislation signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson that began the gradual process of fostering public accommodation access and desegregation. (Reference: Martin Luther King and James M. Washington; “A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches of Martin Luther King, Jr.”).

Thus, Kwame Ture (Stokley Carmichael) was beginning to advocate the philosophy of “Black Power” and young African Americans were starting to be influenced by militant black radical spokesmen like Minister Malcolm X who taught a form of Black Nationalism and called for a renewal in black cultural identity. The Diasporas Africans in America and their movement for social, economic and political justice led to the influencing of the liberation struggles of African Nations in the 1960s who were also seeking freedom, liberation and independence from under European colonial rule. Ghana in 1958 became one of the first African nations to throw off the shackles of British colonialism and became a sovereign state. (Reference: Stokely Carmichael & Ekwueme Michael Thelwell; “Ready For Revolution: The Life and Struggles of Stokely Carmichael [Kwame Ture}”).

African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Julius Nyerere, Ahmed Ben Bella, Amilcar Cabral, Jomo Kenyatta, Ahmed Seku Toure, Haile Selassie, Patrice Lumumba, Ide Amin, etc. These African leaders in return provided African Americans with a model of African Nationalism and their philosophies of Pan-Africanism gave the Black movement in America a necessary connection to their motherland, in particular the ability to reclaim a distant culture and history that were stolen from them 400 years ago. (Reference: John Henrik Clarke:Africans at the Crossroads) & (Reference: Kwame Ture and Charles V. Hamilton; “Black Power: The Politics of Liberation”).

The political analysis in the 1960s ranged from black activist adopting the class struggle, race struggle and cultural struggle—Marxism and economic determinist theories and black theoreticians declared scientific socialism as an alternative to Capitalism and there were others more partial towards cultural nationalism, which Franz Fanon work titled, “The Wretched of the Earth” typified the African intellectual struggle and its opposition to European colonialism in Africa and there was other works such as the one written by Walter Rodney titled, “How Europe Underdeveloped Africa typified these struggles.”

Dubois called his first Pan-African Congress 1900 and would call four more Pan-African Congress 1919, 1921, 1923 and 1927 which to dramatize the necessity of blacks in America and throughout the Diaspora linking up with Africa to resolve the issues of colonialism, racism, oppression, imperialism, etc., as well as enhance cultural unity. There was also the Pan-Africanist George Padmore who was deeply involved in issues of a Pan African worldview and in his latter years in the 1940s stood as an elder Statesman in the last Pan African Congress session. However, there were probably none more passionate about reconnecting Disaporian Africans back to Africa than Marcus Mosiah Garvey (his motto "Africa for the Africans at home and abroad"). The Garvey back to Africa movement was perhaps both physical and psychological—more psychological than physical, it provided Disaporian Africans with a symbolic reaffirmation of a long lost home from whence their ancestors were kidnapped from over four hundred (400) years ago and robbed of the knowledge of self and culture, as well as land and valuable resources. (Reference: Amy Jacques Garvey; “Philosophy & Opinions of Marcus Garvey”).

The 1960s rebellions (what the United States Government and the popular media referred to this form of resistance as riots) in cities such as Newark, Washington D.C., Gary, Detroit, Los Angles, etc. The rebellions represented a philosophical and strategic departure from the political views of Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. who consistently advocated non-violent social resistance. For example, the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) philosophy changed and evolved and became radicalized under the leadership of Stokley Carmichael (Kwame Ture) and later under H. Rap Brown (Jamil Abdullah El Amin). Their philosophical tactics and strategies were based a lot more on direct confrontation with the Power Apparatus and became the greatest challenge and threat to the passive politics of the traditional Civil Rights movement—not to mention the revolutionary politics of the Black Panther Party led by its Chairman Huey P. Newton. (Reference: H. Rap Brown; “Die Nigger Die!”).

These new radical and militant leaders were inspired by the voice of Minister Malcolm X, in particular after his defection from the Nation of Islam in 1964. The rebellions of the 1960s left many urban cities under U.S. Military seize because the violence and the destruction of personal property crippled the so-called orderly running of local governments and many black communities were in social and economic despair. This was the social, political and economic climate that led to Dr. Mualana Karenga formerly known as Ron Everett originally from Baltimore, Maryland to establish the cultural celebration we come to know as Kwanzaa.

Dr. Karenga was head of a Black Cultural Nationalist organization called Us Organization he is professor and chair of the Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Karenga is also chair of the President's Task Force on Multicultural Education and Campus Diversity at California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Karenga holds two Ph.D.'s; his first in political science with focus on the theory and practice of nationalism (United States International University) and his second in social ethics with a focus on the classical African ethics of ancient Egypt (University of Southern California). (Reference: Maulana Karenga & Haki R. Madhubuti; “Million Man March/Day of Absence: A Commemorative Anthology”).

Dr. Karenga for over forty (40) years has advocated synthesize theories of Pan Africanism and Black Nationalism and although the Black Panther Party started out with similar theories, but in the late 1960s began to transition more towards the socialist theories of Marxist-Leninist and some of the early emphasis on Pan Africanism and Black Nationalism were debunked. The Black Panther Party replaced their hardcore black nationalist views upon embracing of the revolutionary philosophy of Che Guevara and the Chairman Mao Tse Tung’s “Red Book” in which the these economic determinist theorist viewed the class contradictions as the foremost antagonistic contradiction throughout human history that has led to the political, economic and social destabilization and division of humanity.But proponents of Black Nationalism and Cultural Nationalism in the 1960s and 1970s viewed race as the social contradiction that was leading the cause of social and political conflict in American and was driving the international conflicts that was rooted in European imperialism and colonial domination of Developing Nations in Africa, Caribbean, Asia, Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand and other nations of color.

These analysis and political evaluations led to theoretical conflicts in the Black Nationalist Community; many argued including Dr. Maulana Karenga that African Americans were engaged in a cultural struggle for self-identity and reclaiming of a glorious history and past that needed to be reaffirmed by revisiting a history that declared Africa as the “Dark Continent” and offering a more correct view of history that was shaped by western civilization and was steeped in a Eurocentric ideology that had justified the stealing of the indigenous peoples lands. (Reference: Chip Smith; “The Cost of Privilege: Taking on the System of White Supremacy and Racism).

This writer in the early 1990s as stated above flew out to Los Angles to visited Dr. Maulana Karenga’s Kawaida Institute of Pan-African Studies and his Us Organization and in certain aspects of the black community within Los Angles, in particular and in the entire black community in general, there exist a level of suspicion and skepticism relative to Dr. Maulana Karenga. This rift seems to have its origin in the 1960s between Karenga’s Us (United Slaves) Organization and the Black Panther Party had a historical rife that was never mended and there is a lot of bad blood in Black Nationalist and Pan-African circles even in 2008 relative to a four (4) decade old dispute. Some black nationalist have accused Dr. Karenga of allegedly being a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent provocateur who was complicit in a shootout that landed two popular Black Panthers Party members dead—Alprentice “Bunchy” Carter and John Huggins of the Southern California Chapter were murdered on the Campus of University of California at Los Angles (UCLA), in which their deaths have haunted the image and legacy of Dr. Karenga since 1969.

Thus, in Los Angles during the 1990s a cultural nationalist and African Centered theoretician named Ashra Kwesi led a huge African Centered Study group and it was taboo to mention Dr. Karenga’s name. There were other renowned scholars and activist who were critical of Dr. Karenga such as the late Professor Emeritus Dr. John Henrik Clarke, the dean of the Afrocentric thought in America and there was Steve Cokley who I heard make some real critical statements against Dr. Karenga and his allege government complicity against the Black Panther Party. This writer has heard both sides of this argument and in all fairness; it has left him inconclusive about the allegations and counter allegations, but the burden of proof in my opinion lies with Dr. Maulana Karenga. We also must understand the United States Government and its Cointelpro (Federal Bureau of Investigation Counter Intelligence program) was in full affect under FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover aimed at militant and not so militant leaders and personalities in the 1960s and 1970s.

Minister Louis Farrakhan leader of the Nation of Islam and Dr. Benjamin Chavis Muhammad reached out to Dr. Karenga during the campaign to organize the Million Man March in 1995, naming him to the Million Man March Executive Committee; this appointment helped reestablish Dr. Karenga’s credibility amongst some Black Nationalist leaders and progressive leaders who for almost four decades wouldn’t be caught on the same stage with Dr. Karenga. But Minister Farrakhan is a smart leader and organizer he recognized that Dr. Karenga still possess a black cultural nationalism following and this was a vital segment of the black community, which brought a militant and radical legitimacy to the Million Man March—this alliance was perhaps more political than Minister Farrakhan overlooking Dr. Karenga’s controversial history.

Karenga advocated building institutions and teaching and training African people to be self-sufficient; he was academician by training who has taught in the California state University systems for now over four (4) decades and has led to the establishment of Black Studies programs, as well as being engulfed in the Afro Centric movement and using his wealth of intellectual knowledge and pen to write one of the foremost black history college text books titled, “Introduction to Black Studies.” Thus, using African models, conventional data, research methodology and more of an empirical and scientific approach to document African contributions to American history and to all of western civilization. He has been one of the few Black Nationalist leaders from the 1960s that has delved into analyzing African contribution to humanity from a scholarly perspective.

Karenga was unique because as a social activist he was able to tie the liberation struggles of Black people in America to a higher intellectual pursuit taking place on the campuses of colleges and universities and he struck me as being equally committed to the intellectual and academic struggle as he was about his social activism. (Reference: Maulana Karenga: “Introductions to Black Studies”).In 1966 the Watts section of Los Angles and the black community after the 1965 rebellions was in dire need of positive rehabilitation. Dr. Maulana Karenga developed a theory known as Kawaida which gave life to Kwanzaa; he defined Kawaida as “Kawaida Theory stood out as the most structured and influential theory of the Black Cultural Revolution. Kawaida (Karenga. 1980, 1978b) contends that the key crisis in Black life is the cultural crisis, i.e., a crisis in views and values. This crisis was caused by several factors, among which are enslavement and deculturalization, the ideological hegemony (dominance in the realm of ideas and values of the ruling race/class) and the growth of popular culture at the expense of national culture.

Dr. Karaenga continues “Culture revolution, according to Kawaida, can be defined as the ideological and practical struggle to: 1) transform the cultural context in which people live; 2) transform them in the process, making them self-conscious agents of their own libera­tion; and 3) build the institutional base to sustain and constantly expand that transformation. It implies and necessitates revitaliz­ing, creating and recreating culture (Karenga, 1967). Kawaida defines culture as the totality of a people's thought and practice by which a people creates itself, celebrates, sustains and develops itself and introduces itself to history and humanity. This occurs in seven basic areas: religion, history, social organization, economic organization, political organization, creative production (art, music and literature), and ethos (collective self-definition and consciousness). It is on these seven levels, Kawaida contends, that Black people must rebuild themselves by rebuilding their culture; so that each area is in both their image and interests. This in turn necessitates a struggle against oppression to define, defend and develop that distinct culture. For it is a political fact that the greater the difference between the culture of the oppressed and the oppressor, the greater the difficulty of dominance and the capacity for resistance (Cabral, 1973).” (Reference: Maulana Karenga: “Introductions to Black Studies”).

Kwanzaa means first fruit or first harvests, which borrowed many of its concepts and precepts from more ancient rites. For example, in ancient Kemet (Egypt) Africans built systems of religions, sacrament rites, myths, etc., based on the winter and summer solstice, in which agricultural rites evolved around the sacredness of planting and harvesting—this translated into elaborate myths such as Auras, Aset, and Heru that dealt with lessons in birth, death, resurrection and ascension. The Black community after the devastating affect of the 1960s rebellions which had destroyed many urban infrastructures and the political, economic, and social lives of African Americans that were effected; they were in need of a cultural resurrection and a rebirth.

The glorious 1960s created a movement of resistance and mood to re-identify and fulfill a vacuum that had been created by four hundred years of oppression and cultural alienation from Africa by a system rooted in white supremacy ideology. Karenga instituted what was called the Nguzo Saba, which is the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa—these principles were formulated to reconstruct a community that was divided and to correct a sense of despondency that was pervasive after the 1960s rebellions.

Many of these cities in 2008 have yet to recover from the 1960s and Newark, New Jersey somewhat under Mayor Cory Booker after forty (40) years is just starting to revitalize the infrastructure and the people. The rebellions had long term social, political and economic ramifications on black urban America; however, the neglect of these cities were a systematic effort to punish those who had violently opposed the status quo—they were left to become depilated, decadent, and languished in social and economic obscurity in which this seemed to be a pattern for the majority of the urban cities that rebelled during the 1960s. Kwanzaa was a solution to that despondency. Kwanzaa is celebrated from December 25 –January 1 (Reference: Maulana Karenga; “The Husia: Sacred Wisdom of Ancient Egypt) and (Reference Karenga: "Kwanzaa: A Celebration of Family, Community and Culture”).

Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles of Kwanzaa)

1). Umoja (Unity) to strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation and race.

2). Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)-To define ourselves, name ourselves, and speak for ourselves instead of being defined and spoken for by others.

3). Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility)-To build and maintain our community together and to make our brothers and sisters problems our problems and to solve them together.

4). Ujamma (Co-Operative Economics)-To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses, and to profit together from them.

5). Nia (Purpose)-To make as our collective vocation the building and developing of our communities in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

6). Kuumba (Creativity)-To do always as much as we can, in the way that we can, in order to make our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

7). Imani (Faith)-To believe with all our hearts in our parents, our teachers, our legitimate leaders, our people, and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

The dates for Kwanzaa are December 26 – January 1.
On each day of Kwanzaa one of the principles of the NGUZO SABA is highlighted and celebrated:

December 26- Umoja December 27- Kujichagulia
December 28- Ujima December 29-Ujamma December 30-Nia ­ December 31- Kuumba

January 1- Imani

On each day members of the community greet each other with the phrase "Habari gani?" which means "What is the News?" The response to the greeting is the NGUZO SABA principle for the particular day. For example, if a brother or sister asks "Habari gani?" on the fifth day of Kwanzaa, the response would be "Nia", the fifth principle.

THE SEVEN BASIC SYMBOLS

1. Mazoa (crops, fruits and vegetables) These represent the fruits of our collective labor.

2. Mkeka (straw mat) Symbolic of tradition and history. The ground of which we stand and on which we build.

3. Kinara (seven lamp candleholder) Symbolic of theparent stalk-continental Africans. Represents our ancestors as a collective whole.

4. Mishumaa Saba (seven candles: 3 red, 3 green 1 black) These represent the seven principles of NGUZO SABA. They are placed in the Kinara with the black candle representing Umoja placed in the center.

5. Muhindi (ears of corn) These represent the children (watato). Each ear represents a child in the family and the potential of the offspring to become stalks themselves, reproducing and insuring the immortality of the people.

6. Zawadi (gifts) Rewards given in love and appreciationto children and adults for acts of commitment to the "family, community, nation and race. Gifts are given for merit and should enhance personal growth and "connection to the community.

7. Kikombe Cha Umoja (unity cup) It is used to pour Tambiko (libation) in remembrance of those who have gone before us, our ancestors.

ARRANGEMENT OF SYMBOLS

A low table should be used to place the symbols. Spread out the Mkeka and place the Kinara in the center. The Muhindi should be placed around the sides of the Kinara. As they become available the Zawadi should be placed on the Mkeka in an artistic arrangement. The Mishumaa should all be placed at the far right of the Mkeka so that they are available for lighting each day. The Kikombe Cha Umoja and the Mazoa should be creatively and conveniently placed.

THE KWANZAA RITUAL

Each day the celebration of Kwanzaa should include but not necessarily be limited to the following:

1. An explanation of Kwanzaa: The African roots and contemporary meaning and significance of the celebration should be made clear to all who have gathered together.

2. An explanation of the NGUZO SABA: A presentation of the importance of a Black value system and a brief review of all the seven principles.

3. Lighting of the candles: The black candle is lit for the first day representing Umoja. Each day after the first day the black candle is 1 it first and then the candle is lit for that particular day and the days preceding it. For example, on the third day, Ujima, the first candle lit will be the black Umoja candle. Then alternating from left to right the first red candle would be lit for Ujima. On the seventh and last day of Kwanzaa six candles would be lit before "lighting the last (green) candle symbolizing Imani:

4. Description of symbols: A presentation describing the meaning and importance of the seven basic symbols of Kwanzaa.

5. Libation to ancestors (Tambiko): In traditional African societies expressions of homage were paid to ancestors through the pouring of libation. We pour libation during Kwanzaa in remembrance of those who have made sacrifices and prepared a way for us. Through libation rituals we are bonded to those who have' gone before us and to those who will come after. Our commitment to the liberation of African people is strengthened.As the libation is poured a tamshi la tambiko (libation statement) should be made as pouring gestures are made in the direction of the four winds: north, south, east, and west. Unfermented wine (grape juice)' should be used for the libation.

6. Elucidation of the Principle for the day: The principle for the day should be made fully clear. Participants in the ceremony should be led to have a full (spirit/mind/body) experience of the principle. Use of such things as arts and crafts, poetry readings, music, plays, chanting, singing, dancing, drumming, dialogue, etc. can be used to heighten the participants' experience.

7. The Call: A person should be designated to lead the gathered participants in seven spirited shouts of "Harambee" which means "We are pulling together." The seventh "Harambee" should be held for an extended length of time to symbolize unity and harmony among our people.

The Kwanzaa Karamu: The evening of December 31 has been designated as the time for the Karamu which means feast. Celebrants participate in an evening of eating, drinking, dancing and gaiety in an atmosphere of communal fellowship and oneness.

Exchanging of gifts: On January 1, the day of Kwanzaa, gifts in the spirit of the meaning of Zawadi may be enchanted. Gift giving MUST NOT become commercialized and the purchase of gifts should not place excessive economic strain on the giver. Gifts should educate and inspire the receiver.

SUGGESTED READING

Kwanzaa: The Origin. Concepts. Practice by R. Maulana Karenga, Kawaida Publications, San Diego, California.

KWANZAA: EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO ASK by Cedric McClester, Gumbs & Thomas Publishers, New York, N.Y.

Fahim A. Knight-EL Chief Researcher for KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK located in Durham, NC; our mission is to inform African Americans and all people of goodwill, of the pending dangers that lie ahead; as well as decode the symbolisms and reinterpreted the hidden meanings behind those who operate as invisible forces, but covertly rules the world. We are of the belief that an enlightened world will be better prepared to throw off the shackles of ignorance and not be willing participants for the slaughter. Our MOTTO is speaking truth to power. Fahim A. Knight-EL can be reached at fahimknight@yahoo.com.

STAY AWAKE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
Fahim A. Knight-EL

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

BARACK OBAMA: HOUSE NEGRO OR FIELD NEGRO; WHO IS HIS MASTER?

BARACK OBAMA: HOUSE NEGRO OR FIELD NEGRO; WHO IS HIS MASTER?

By: Fahim A. Knight-EL

President-Elect Barack Obama has been left with a decaying corpse and a petrified carcass better known as the United States Government, which has declined and reached an unbearable political, economic and social stench and is in dire need of fumigation because postmortem has left our government with some intolerable fumes. President-Elect Obama will be assuming one of the worst U.S. Government’s in the history of the American republic to ever be turned over to a president-elect.

This just could be mere coincidental that the first U.S. elected African American president in the history of United States will inherited nothing to work with or was this possibly done by designed. Many have gotten caught up in the so-called historical moment that a black man is sitting in the "Big Chair" and failed to take a serious look at the economic mess (recession or depression) that President George Bush has left President-Elect Obama, in particular and the American people in general.

President-Elect Obama will be inheriting a ten (10) trillion dollar U.S. Deficit and there is not enough tax dollars to service the interest and repay the principle. But just stop for one damn moment and just do a little thinking, something that most people are not accustom to doing; and ask yourself a logical question, who is behind this enormous and in surmountable national debt that is choking the American people to death?

When President Bush took office the national debt was approximately five (5) trillion dollars and upon him leaving office that national debt has almost doubled. Bush is no doubt a low level operative who dealt the Invisible Rulers a perfect hand. For example, where I am from, the boys on the street would say they are stealing money hand over fist, as it relates to the $750 billion dollar bailout—the ignorant United States tax payers have agreed to one of the biggest scams in the history of the United States. The talk about reforming Wall Street and imposing Congressional oversight, which to so-called ensure the American people that this recent economic meltdown will not ever occur again, is a laughable joke. These ploys were mere votes of acquiring public confidence designed to further luring the ignorant masses to sleep. Wall Street doesn’t factor into determining how the money is moving; these public world markets are powerless and are at the dictates of those who have stolen the world’s gold and silver, as well as the world’s resources. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and President George Bush both should be charged with treason and sedition. This so-called bailout is a criminal act against the American people.

The United States Government is, and has been treating the symptoms since 1913 and the problem (disease) the Central Banks and the International Bankers have been intentionally ignored and allowed to function without boundaries and parameters. They have been inspired by greed and motivated only by the accumulation of wealth. (Reference: Eustace Mullins; “The Secrets of the Federal Reserve”).

The Honorable Elijah Muhammad told us in the 1970s with his book titled, "Fall of America" that there were two industries that one should always keep their eyes on—automobile industry and the steel industry because if they began to depreciate the fall of America is inevitable. The automobile industry is now seeking an economic bailout; the automobile industry is life bloodline of United States economy. This writer can remember how the scholars and social scientist dismissed Mr. Muhammad and now almost forty years later his words have been proving to be prophetic. (Reference: Elijah Muhammad: "The Fall of America").

None of the politicians, United States Congress or President-Elect Barack Obama have uttered one word about reforming the United States Federal Reserve System. This writer wonders, why? Surely they must know that the root of the United States and the world's economic crises are tied to this non-governmental and private entity called the United States Federal Reserve. Just imagine having the ability to create money out of thin air, now that is a serious magician trick and be able to perform the same magical trick for almost one hundred (100) years and only a hand full of people are able to see and detect that someone is pulling the purse strings and is altering reality and has turned the unbelievable into the believable. These money magicians are good, I mean really good. The crimes, pain, suffering, injustices, tyrannical acts, oppression, etc., they have heaped upon humanity, it's enough to make a brass monkey cry. Reference: William Greider; “Secrets of the Temple: How the Federal Reserve Runs the Country”).

This writer grew up in a Christian Baptist Church (perhaps was more liken to a fundamentalist Pentecostal church) and I can not recall the exact name of the hymn, but it went something like this, He has the world in his hand, He has the whole wide world in his hand" (I am not referring to Jesus or even God). These vipers literally have the entire world in their hand and at their disposal. The Invisible Rulers functions as Sovereign Gods and they direct the affairs of men and determine the political, economic, and social failures or prosperity of all nations. They have the ability to create human catastrophes by inducing all manner of artificial crises. (Reference: David Icke: “The Biggest Secret”).

They constantly manipulate the world's money and resources and then hide behind front organizations (here are two good ones—the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund) and then use their most lethal weapon—the media to constantly dumb down America and the world. The average person doesn't have a mere clue of what the hell is going on and they think this economic meltdown was just some bad decisions that were being made by top executives of these wealthy Fortune 500 companies which put us in this economic predicament. Many of them are beyond convincing because the corporate media is molding and shaping public opinion and is doing a nice job at it based on our level of ignorance. Who has the ability to call for the debt? (Reference: Gary Allen and Larry Abraham: “None Dare Call it Conspiracy”).

This is the sixty-four thousand dollar question. Surely not the executives and CEOs of Lehman Brothers, Fannie Mac, Freddie Mac, Citi Bank, AIG, Bear-Sterns, GM, etc., these are low-level operatives; they do not have that type of power and authority to determine the flow of the world's money; granted these are some powerful entities in their own right, but there are some much more powerful and sovereign entities than meet the naked-eye. They are truly invisible and are untouchable. (Reference: William Cooper: “Behold A Pale Horse.”)

Yes, the so-called economic meltdown and bailout is being orchestrated behind the curtain by those forces that possess the ability to make and print money (that is not backed by real currency or tangible collateral—gold and silver) and determine interest rates and determines the day too day value of America and the world's economy.

Also, President-Elect Obama will be inheriting two international wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and it just so happens to be two Islamic Nations. This translates to mean that the United States Foreign Policy relative to Islam and Middle East will continue to be strained because Obama has surrounded himself with the likes of his Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel who is without doubt a Zionist and will perhaps be instrumental in shaping the direction of United States Foreign Policy for the next eight (8) years. Who will be running the United States Government and have these forces already decided upon waging war against Iran? (Reference: Richard A. Clarke “Against All Enemies: Inside America’s War on Terror”).

President-Elect Obama just appointed Hillary Clinton as his Secretary of State, the New York Senator who in 2003 signed on to George Bush’s going to war against Iraq; although there was not any substantial evidence or intelligence that Saddam Hussein posed a threat to the region and/or there was no proof that he had acquired Weapons of Mass Destruction. Who interest or bidding Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be lobbying for in the Middle East? (Reference: Scott McClellan; “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception”).

This writer knows for sure it will not be on behalf of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Afghanistan, etc. These appointees that Obama is making will not go into the Middle East with an objective perspective and the U.S. Foreign Policy will perhaps continue to be backwards and driven by the money changers and the war mongers. This writer and millions of others would like to see some balance in the Middle Eastern equation and, in particular in the Israeli-Palestinian issue—not some one sided debate. (Reference: Obadiah Shoher; “Sampson Blinded: A Machiavellian Perspective on the Middle East Conflict”).

This is not the solution to resolving this conflict; it will only heighten the contradictions and create more political and social tension in this war torn region. However, someone has to be bold enough to demand and mandate an equal conversation where both parties Israelis and Arabs are giving the integrity and respect to be heard. If not it clearly becomes the breeding ground for what is deemed in the eyes of the beholder as “terrorism” or “freedom fighters.” The ultimate cards rest in the hands of the United States. (Reference: Jimmy Carter: “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid”).

However, this writer clearly understands that these two wars will not end until the Invisible Rulers decide and it will not be swayed by public opinion or by an act of the Executive branch or by United States Congress. The Rockefellers and Rothschilds are the two money masters who have a noose around the necks of the entire globe; they are fighting in Afghanistan over how the heroin trade is going to flow and the Taliban had fought the former USSR in a ten year war for the same commodity and now they are fighting the United States Government for this vast dope demand. (Reference: John Coleman; “Conspirators’ Hierarchy: The story of the Committee of 300”).

This conflict was never about combating so-called terrorism, it has always been about dope, the heroin trade. Pakistan has been a double agent for years—they have been on the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) payroll for many years and on Osama bin Laden payroll allowing dope to flow across its borders unabated and uninterrupted, the arrangement is called Dope Incorporated. Also, these den thieves are quick to say they have so-called joined the fight on terrorism—really! (Reference: George Tenet; “At the Center of the Storm: My Years at the CIA”).

Obama has kept U.S. Defense Secretary and war monger Robert Gates on the job and his reactionary war strategies in the Middle East will perhaps resemble the same old ideas, which he advised under President George Bush. There are really only three forms of real money gold and silver, oil and drugs—the majority of international conflicts are centered on this reality. But has anyone noticed that the candidate who ran on a platform of change has filled his cabinet positions with the same old reactionary politicians of prior administrations, is this the change he so eloquently articulated throughout his campaign that captivated the imagination and vision of America and the world.

It was deemed change you can believe in or was this just a meaningless campaign slogan that had no substance and now the proof is in the pudding. The Native Americans use to say the white man spoke with a fork tongue because he trampled and violated all the treaties he had signed with the Native Americans. They said he could not be trusted because he was a liar and thief. This is this writer’s view of politicians; all of them talk with a fork tongue and most of them are silver tongue lying lawyers. President-Elect Obama has already forgotten who brought him to the big dance and the big chair; this statement is only to imply that the electorate is mere cannon fodder and our vote do not mean damn thing; this man was hand picked and he has no loyalty to his visible constituents; his loyalty is strictly to the Invisible Rulers and American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). (Reference: John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt “The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy).

Perhaps from another angle President-Elect Barack Obama did not pick his cabinet, but these appointments are being directed by the Bilderberger group, Council on Foreign Relations and the Trilateral Commission. The true forces that run the entire world; in fact Obama’s ascension to "power" and to the highest office in the world was made at the recommendation of these three entities; they set him on the throne and possess the power and authority to dethrone him, if he doesn't carryout their whims and wishes. (Reference: Daniel Estulin: “The True Story of the Bilderberg Group”).

Many of President-Elect Obama's cabinet choices are long standing members of the Bilderbergers, Council on Foreign Relations, and Trilateral Commission members, which gives America and the global community some indication of who will be running the United States Government. The same old faces and the same old agenda and politics as usual, perhaps will be the order of the day. This does not represent change to me because once again, low level operatives will be doing the bidding for the Invisible Rulers to further enslave humanity. If a man almost denies his ethnic and religious up bringing, thus crossing (betraying) the electorate wouldn't even be a thought. He did everything humanly possible to disassociate himself from his early Islamic roots and when the Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahir allegedly called President-Elect Barack Obama a "House Negro”, it caught some people off guard. It was a dictum seldom used by other races to describe a certain aspect of African American behavior and it appeared a bit awkward coming from another oppressed ethnic people. Who are in dire need of allies. (Reference Carroll Quigley: "Tragedy and Hope”).

Zawahir stated:” You were born to a Muslim father, but you chose to stand in the ranks of the enemies of the Muslims, and pray the prayer of the Jews, although you claim to be Christian in order to climb the rungs of leadership in America. And in you and in Colin Powell, Rice and your likes, the words of Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy on him) concerning 'House Negroes' are confirmed."

Ayman al-Zawahir quoting from the words of the late Nation of Islam leader Minister Malcolm X has drawn some criticism relative to using the "House Negro" statement. Minister Malcolm X was critical of black apologist "Negro" leaders during the turbulent 1960s Civil Rights Era, which he said there are "two types of Negroes "Field Negroes" and "House Negroes" and Minister Malcolm X drew this analogy directly from what Historian Kenneth Stampp called the "Peculiar Institution" referring to Chattel Slavery, which created varying personality types according to the Historian Dr. John Blassingame who authored a sociological study titled, "Slave Community". Chattel Slavery (1555-1865) was an evil institution that affected the political, economic and social landscape of America. (Reference: John W. Blassingame; “The Slave Community”).

This is how Minister Malcolm X describes the "House Negro" and "Field Negro." Minister Malcolm X stated in a book written by Archie Epps titled, “Malcolm X and the American Negro Revolution: The Speeches of Malcolm X stated, “There were two kinds of slaves, the house Negro and the field Negro. The house Negroes—they lived in the house with the master, they dresses pretty good, they ate good. . .They loved the master more than the master loved himself. . . If the master’s house got caught on fire, the house Negro would harder to put the blaze out than the master would. If the master got sick, the house Negro would say, ‘What’s matter, boss, we sick? And if you came to the house Negro and said, “Let’s run away, let’s escape, let’s separate,’ the house Negro would look at you and say, ‘Man, you crazy. What you mean, separate? Where is there a better house than this?’

Minister Malcolm X further stated, “On that same plantation, there was the field Negro. The Field Negroes—those were the masses. The Negro in the field caught hell. He ate leftovers. In the house they ate high on the hog. The field Negro was beaten from morning to night; he lived in a shack, in a hut. . .He hated his master. He was intelligent. When the house caught on fire, he didn’t try to put it out; that field Negro prayed for a wind, for a breeze. When the master got sick, the field Negro prayed that he’d die. If someone came to the field Negro and said, ‘Let’s separate, let’s run’ he didn’t say, ‘where are we going?’ He’d say, ‘Any place is better than here!’ You’ve got field Negroes in America today. I’m a field Negro. The masses are the field Negroes.”

The Al Qaeda leader perhaps understood the social history of America, in particular and the African American in general, and the dynamics of power. We do know this much, they would not have put any man in the "Big Chair" to rock the chair, if he was not safe to be placed there; meaning based on Minister Malcolm X analogy they would not have put a "Field Negro" in charge of "Massa" plantation. They always have found the "right type of Negroes" and allowed them to make history or become history makers. So I totally understood the Al Qaeda leader’s statement and I must say I agreed with him, but they got some serious house cleaning to do relative to Arab Islam and the historical and modern African slavery dilemma.

Thus, whether you want to accept it or not President-Obama has signed on to the Invisible Rulers agenda; he is a political tool who will be loyal to doing their bidding. We have been duped into believing that the United States has made a huge step toward the continuing path of social progress based on a black token appointment. Obama's appointment is supposed to ease and quite racial tension, but we view this as token success, and this writer can say, it is a "House Negro" appointment. May be the Rockefellers, Rothschilds, DeBeers, Oppenheimers or perhaps the legendary Henry Kissinger is his master, but these names are not only the masters of Obama but are the masters over humanity. The Al Qaeda leader perhaps has forgotten that the Arabs are not in a moral position to critique the social history of African people’s experience under Chattel Slavery giving their own Arab brutal history of slavery in Africa under Islam and Arabism, which from the 8th Century to the 21st Century has been and are still involved in buying and selling black human cargo in Africa. So knowing the Arabs oppressive history in Africa, this writer took offense to the Al-Qaeda leader's less ingenious remarks. Whether not the Al-Qaeda leader made these allege remarks we will never know because it sound like something right out of the CIA play book. (Reference: Edward W. Blyden; "Christianity, Islam and the Negro Race")

Ralph Nader a former presidential candidate even he made a statement referring to President-Elect Obama as an "Uncle Tom" and even this characterization has historical inferences relating back to U.S. Chattel Slavery. Ralph Nader stated:” To put it very simply, he is our first African American president; or he will be. And we wish him well. But his choice, basically, is whether he’s going to be Uncle Sam for the people of this country, or Uncle Tom for the giant corporations.”

The black “Uncle Tom” personality was cunning, two-faced, and shiftless and was a traitor and a Judas who would consistently sell his own people out in order to be in the good grace of their Caucasian slave masters. This is what Minister Malcolm X had to say about the slave character "Uncle Tom." (Reference: Harriet Beecher Stowe; “Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly”).

Malcolm X stated: Just as the slave master of that day used Tom, the house Negro, to keep the field Negroes in check, the same old slave master today has Negroes who are nothing but modern Uncle Toms, 20th century Uncle Toms, to keep you and me in check, keep us under control, keep us passive and peaceful and nonviolent. That's Tom making you nonviolent. It's like when you go to the dentist, and the man's going to take your tooth. You're going to fight him when he starts pulling. So he squirts some stuff in your jaw called Novocain, to make you think they're not doing anything to you. So you sit there and 'cause you've got all of that Novocain in your jaw, you suffer peacefully. Blood running all down your jaw and you don't know what's happening. 'Cause someone has taught you to suffer – peacefully. (Reference: Malcolm X Speech titled, “Message To The Grass Roots—Detroit; November 10, 1963).

This writer wonders why these slave analogies keep cropping up and may be it is out of political ignorance or may be it is subtle racism. But these insignificant matters are being created as distractions from the real issues. The Invisible Rulers are not concerned about race and gender of their servants; they use these variables as sidebars when necessary in order to create social division, disharmony and chaos, while they continue to fill their coffers at the expense of the suffering masses. Thus, believe me President-Elect Obama is no more of a "House Negro" than the other past forty-three (43) United States Presidents. All of them took their marching orders from a clandestine and hidden powerful Cabal. Yes, the U.S. President and all world presidents are slaves to the Invisible Rulers and perhaps Nader and Ayman al-Zawahir are in denial of this reality. (Reference: Naim Akbar; “Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery”).

Fahim A. Knight-EL Chief Researcher for KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK located in Durham, NC; our mission is to inform African Americans and all people of goodwill, of the pending dangers that lie ahead; as well as decode the symbolisms and reinterpreted the hidden meanings behind those who operate as invisible forces, but covertly rules the world. We are of the belief that an enlightened world will be better prepared to throw off the shackles of ignorance and not be willing participants for the slaughter. Our MOTTO is speaking truth to power. Fahim A. Knight-EL can be reached at fahimknight@yahoo.com.

STAY AWAKE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
Fahim A. Knight-EL

Friday, November 28, 2008

FREEMASONRY: E PLURIBUS UNUM (Out of Many, One); DECODING THE SYMBOLISM

FREEMASONRY: E PLURIBUS UNUM (Out of Many, One); DECODING THE SYMBOLISM

by Fahim A. Knight-EL

There has been a lot of discussion on one of the African American Prince Hall Masonic web sites relating to the U.S. Dollar bill and the United States Seal, as far as, decoding the meaning and interpreting of the symbolism, and for many of us in the broader community; we would have considered the discussion they were having as an old discussion. However, what is considered old information to some, might be considered new to those who have yet to come in contact with certain information, which leads us to accept that what is considered "old" or "new" information should be viewed as relative terms.

A brother named Octavius S. Davis-El who is a 33rd Degree Mason from the PHAmily website wrote this message: “To my sisters and brothers, the words were said last night (Referring to President-Elect Barack Obama’s victory speech after defeating Senator John McCain for the office of president),"Out of many one." Let us think on these words. Annuit Coeptis meaning Out of many one, it's on back of your dollar bill. "It is time to build and reinforce our society". Davis had suggested that the Latin terminology Annuit Coeptis meant "Out of Many One" but actually E-Pluribus Unum (which translate from Latin to English is interpreted to mean "Out of Many One.” But upon being corrected, he humbly accepted that he had erred and made a mistake and quite graciously accepted being corrected.

There was another brother on the web site who identified himself as Dr. Michael Murphy who I am assuming holds a Doctorate of Philosophy (Ph. D) in some discipline, but this was his response and correction to Davis-EL; "Hi again Brother Davis, When one earns two Bachelors Degrees at a Catholic University, one has to take Latin. I double checked what I thought was the correct translation, and confirmed it.""The Latin words "Annuit Conceptis" literally translated means announcing the birth or in the case of the dollar bill; "Announcing the Birth of the New World Order". The Latin words "E Pluribus Unum" means "Out of many; one" Forgive me brother-man. I hate raining on your oratory parade, but consider it a helpful instruction in the Latin Language."

Dr. Murphy was correct in his language translation and since Brother Davis-EL had made this error on a public forum, then I saw no reason why he should not have been corrected in a public way. But I did feel that he laid down to easy and this is what led me to do this research and bring forth this knowledge, but many of the responses after Dr. Murphy's correction of Davis-EL comment were in agreement with Dr. Murphy because we thought that an authoritative voice had spoken. However, perhaps none of them were willing to put in the research to verify or go after the historical evidence to further explain this Latin concept E-Pluribus Unum and why it was incorporated in the symbolism on the United States Currency and how did this relate to Freemasonry. This subject needed a little more scholarly attention than a bunch of yes men agreeing with Dr. Murphy, but what about offering an empirical investigation. This writer did not respond on day that these comments were being made relative to the U.S. Seal and U.S. Currency, it wasn’t that if he lacked the knowledge to have responded. But these were surface comments being offered and I desired to wait until after doing the research and then only would I offer Dr. Murphy and Davis-EL a legitimate response that would be well thought-out and well researched. Here is my response.

But many of the questions that people were posting had been thoroughly dealt with by the likes of Manly P. Hall and other Masonic scholars, as well as by those who research and study esoteric and occult topics have produced a wealth of information relative to interpreting the meaning of the symbolism and the story behind the United States Currency; in particular, the symbolism on and behind the United States Dollar Bill and the United Seal. (Reference: Mustafa El-Amin; Freemasonry: Ancient Egypt and the Islamic Destiny”).

The author Paul Foster Case in his book titled, "The Great Seal of the United States" analyzed and decoded the inner meanings of the numerology and interpreted the Masonic symbolism that is not readily accessible to the naked eye and he gives us the esoteric duality There is little doubt that the majority of the so-called Founding Fathers—Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington were Freemasons and the majority of the signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 were Masons and those 40 or so original signers of the United States Constitution, which fourteen (14) were Masons. These so-called enlightened men formulated the Rule and Guide of our legal and Jurisprudence structure. Many of these early Freemasons had been raised and initiated under the Grand Lodge of England. These “American” Masons who were ordinarily Caucasian and of an Elitist aristocratic society were given open Charters and Dispensation to set-up and organized duly chartered Masonic Lodges within the Continental America, which automatically received full recognition and approval from the Mother Lodge of England. (Reference: David Ovason; “The Secret Architecture of Our Nation's Capital: The Masons and the Building of Washington”)

These enlightened men based on the symbolism of the United States currency seemed to be infatuated with occult and esoteric knowledge, the historians have not produced any evidence that the Founding Fathers had ever made any pilgrimages to Kemet (Egypt), but their knowledge seemed outside the ordinary and represented a "higher science."

It was rooted in the ancient wisdom of books written by authors of the likes of Manly P. Hall such as "The Secret Teachings of All Ages;" Hall stated, "European mysticism was not dead at the time the United States of America was founded. The hand of the Mysteries controlled in the establishment of the new government, for the signature of the Mysteries may still be seen on the Great Seal of the United States of America. Carefully analysis of the seal discloses a mass of occult and Masonic symbols, chief among them the so-called American eagle—a bird which Benjamin Franklin declared unworthy to be chosen as the emblem of a great, powerful, and progressive people. Here again only the student of symbolism can see through the subterfuge and realize that American eagle upon the Great Seal is but a conventialized phoenix, a fact plainly discernable from an examination of the original seal. In his sketch of the "History of the Seal of the United States," Gaillard Hunt unwittingly brings forward much material to substantiate the belief that the original seal carried the phoenix bird on its obverse surface. . .” (Reference: Manly P. Hall; "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" pg xc and xci)

Hall continues: “Not only were many of the founders of the United States Government Masons, but they received aid from a secret and august body existing in Europe, which helped them to establish this country for a peculiar and particular purpose known only to the initiated and for the most part unknown--and the unfinished pyramid upon its reverse side is a trestleboard setting forth symbolically the task to the accomplishments of which the United States Government was dedicated from the day of its inception." (Reference: Manly P. Hall; "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" pg xc and xci).”

This writer wonders who were these individuals that Hall referred to as, "they received aid from a secret and august body existing in Europe;" were these the money changers who had financed both sides of the American Revolution—the international bankers who have always had a vested interest in the various Orders because of their ability to function as closed societies and the old penalties assured that what took place in the lodge stayed in the lodge based on the solemn oaths. This relationship between Freemasonry and the Power Elite have been mutual in a lot of regards.

Although, the Money Changers hoodwinked those of the Order because their involvement was never based on the three basic principles that under girds Freemasonry—Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth (Prince Hall Masons is based on similar principles Brotherly Love, Morality and Friendship), but money hoarding and controlling banking and finance were their true intent and objectives. Freemasonry became a convenient institution which to shield the inner-workings of some sinister individuals who had established blood descendent dynastic Orders and had become intertwined with visible Freemasonry. (Reference: David Icke: “The Biggest Secret”).

Some historians maintained that the "Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" was evidence of such covert organization and individuals that had systematically devised a high tech manipulation and deception plan of a group of wickedly wise, secret society, and sophisticated money changers that have duped humanity. However, their are others who say such a contention is mere nonsense and there is no reliable evidence that such a sophisticated plan ever existed and the "Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" was a fraud and a undocumented conspiracy theory hoax; just as the Priory of Sion. (Reference: William Guy Carr; "Pawns In The Game").

But nevertheless, what is undeniable is evident that their are some unseen forces, cloaked behind many different fronts and layers of deception and in deed they have the entire planet in a stranglehold. Thus, the so-called recent economic meltdown is not a meltdown at all; this economic crisis is one of their ploys to strangulate the ignorant masses by cutting off the life blood of society, which is its money flow in order to create confusion and human chaos while these profiteers are laughing at us Goyims and are continuing to rake in untold wealth at the expense of our misery. (Reference: Dr. John Coleman: “Conspirators Hierarchy: The Story of the Committee of the 300”).

Freemasonry as a Order might be innocent of such charges but is perhaps more guilty by historical association and as a passive entity in which in many cases have allowed the Invisible Rulers to use their Lodges not as a resting place, but as untouchable shelters who could communicate in a different language of symbolism—a word, sign and token, but their power and will transcended even the authority given under the 33rd Degree; offered under the United Supreme Council (this writer is not referring to African American 33RD Degree Masons because they will never be invited into attaining even an understanding of such POWER). They (Invisible Rulers) functions with unthinkable power and wealth and with complete sovereignty; these Invisible Rulers literally run circles around Freemasonry.

Thus, even Theosophical wisdom that consumed the life of Helen Petrovna Blavatsky displayed in her monumental works "The Secret Doctrines: The Synthesis, Religion and Philosophy" and "Isis Unveiled." or George Fraser "The Golden Bough." in which these scholars of renown also pointed to Kemet (Egypt) as being the cradle of civilization; all the known disciplines and sciences have their origin.

The American Founding Fathers used the language of Latin to communicate, because Latin was the language that had high intellectual significance and it was an expression of philosophical academia which was very popular even up until perhaps the 1950s. A lot of preparatory and parochial schools and colleges and university required the language of Latin as an intricate part of the curriculum. But Latin is a young language in comparison to languages found in the East such Hebrew and Arabic which derived from the much older language of Amharic that was originally spoken in the Middle Eastern region including Mesopotamia. Perhaps the Hebrew language that Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus, the son of Joseph) or in Islam and the Arabic language Isa bin Yusuf (Jesus the son of Joseph) spoke over 2,000 years ago were clear indications that the letter “J” was introduced only about five hundred year ago. Jesus did not speak English nor Latin.

The “out of many, one” was rooted in the teachings of Kemet (Egypt) where the microcosm universe was viewed in the context of the macrocosm universe and although the latter was huge and expansive, but the human anatomy—and physiology was only a miniature reflection of the heavenly bodies that were reflected and in direct correlation to the universal laws of motion and order. The Kemites understood the Universal laws of Maat—harmony, balance, justice, equilibrium, and reciprocity. So these ancient principles that were being symbolically used to shield and admonish a superior culture spoke to a higher language and as far as the language of Latin being used to describe these ancient principles and symbolism; it was only considered an exemplar language in the West and it does little justice as far as interpreting and decoding what was being spoken and written in Kemet (Egypt). (Reference: Josef A.A. Ben Jochannon; “The Black man of the Nile and his Family”).

Some believe that the Founding Fathers were influenced by the Rosicrucian mystic teachings that were brought to America in 1693 by one Sir Francis Bacon who understood esoteric and occult lessons that were rooted in science of alchemy and the universal balance of Eastern philosophy versus Western philosophy. It was no more evident than under the teachings of Akhenaton (the father of monotheism) which the Rosicrucian followers embraced and had a keen understanding of what Kemet (Egypt) meant in the realm of philosophical thought and its cultural contribution to humanity . There is no doubt that the Rosicrucians had come in contact with Kemet (Egypt) and had copied their Rose Croix theories directly from the Egyptian Mystery Schools who were doing degree work long before Rosicrucians, the Scottish Rite and York Rite Orders were even a thought. (Reference: Nesta H. Webster; “Secret Societies and Subversive Movements”).

William H. Gross in article titled, "Rosicrucianism' A Religion or Not" {Christian} Rosenkruez traveled to Damascus where he remained for three years, devoting himself to the study of the occult sciences. He then sailed to Egypt where he continued his studies and proceeded to Africa where he acquired further information from philosophers. Christian Rosenkruez's travels also took him to Spain and finally to Germany to where he decided to share his studies and research with his own countrymen. He also decided to establish a society for cultivation of the sciences which he had acquired during his travels. (Reference: William H. Gross; "Rosicrucianism' A Religion or Not").

Some scholars even maintain that the teachings of the Kabala was the biggest influence on the Founding Fathers, but all of these philosophies had what became known as a Masonic theme. For example, phallic symbolism, fertility rites, agriculture rites, and Sun God Rites that evolved around the winter and summer solstice—birth, death, resurrection, and ascension. The story of Osiris, Isis and Heru was a story of antiquity which had been told thousands of years before the Christian version of Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus, the so-called Christ); in fact the Christians forged this ancient pagan myth and repackaged it as a divine phenomena that gave them irrefutable religious credence over other faith traditions. (Reference: Kersey Graves; “The World’s Sixteen Crucified Saviors”). .

Moreover, based on the so-called story of Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus) and the Christian religious worldview; Yeshua Ben Yosef (Jesus) was supposed to have been the first world savior born of immaculate conception on December 25, suffered a brutal slaying, resurrected as an act of defying death and ascended (all this mythology was more related to birth and decline of the physical Sun). In Kemet all the structures of the pyramids were built around preserving the soul and is spoke to the higher lessons of the immorality of the soul. Wallis Budge in his book titled, "The Egyptian Book of Dead" (also known as 'Coming Forth by Day') provides us with these lessons. But Krishna, Mithra, Addonis, Buddha Apollo, Osiris, Quetzalcoatl and others shared this so-called divine phenomena long before Jesus the Christ (Yeshua ben Yosef). (Reference: John G. Jackson; “Introduction to African Civilization”).

The unfinished pyramid on the back of the dollar was this symbolic of the unfinished work of the Master Builder Hiram Abiff who was slain and left his unfinished work on the trestleboard? Perhaps the Founding Fathers saw themselves as a continuation of the majestic work that Grand Master Hiram Abiff started, which became interrupted by those who plotted its destructive end. These initiated men understood that nature and human life are but a cycle based on death and resurrection. They were inspired to take a so-called new nation and resurrected it from the ashes of war and conflict with its mother nation Great Britain. They borrowed the bird Eagle and/or Phoenix Bird from Kemet (Egypt) which was actually called the Benu bird. This majestic bird had many versions of its origin and the significance of its symbolism varied. (Ralph Epperson; “The New World Order”)

R.T. Rundle Clarke in his book titled, " Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt," stated: "In a sense when the Phoenix gave out the primeval call it initiated all these cycles, so it is the patron of all division of time, and its temple at Heliopolis became the centre of calendrical regulation. As the herald of each new dispensation, it becomes, optimistically, the harbinger of good tidings. During the Middle Kingdom the Benu Bird became the 'soul' of Osiris and the symbol for the planet Venus-the morning star Which precedes the sun out of the Underworld and is the herald of a new day. In spite of these minor roles, however, the Benu Bird continues to be 'he who created himself'-a form of the High God. In fact, Atum,Re, Shu and Osiris meet in the bird as the symbol of the godhead in time."(Reference: R.T. Rundle Clarke " Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt," pg 246).

Some historians have maintained that this mythological bird called by the Kemetic people as the Benu Bird (Phoenix) originated in Arabia and there were tales and myths that this bird had the ability to self create itself from death and even some have told that it was destroyed by fire and out of the ashes it resurrected itself to live five hundred (500) years. The Benu bird (Phoenix) bird is part of the symbolic degree of 33rd degree of Freemasonry, but is also tied to the Solar Deities based on the concept of birth, death, resurrection and ascension. The Founding Fathers were steeped in Masonic symbolism and made it the language of their new republic. They understood that these so-called New World settlers were some of the ones who were disallowed, despised and rejected (and if they hadn’t disavowed the Supreme Being their ultimate destiny would have been different), but one day would become the chief cornerstone of a new society and eventually a New World Order. Thus, they too represented Hiram Abiff and they understood that they were the Master Builders who were ordained to create a new civilization. This is why in our Capitol, the architecture layout from its roads to its monuments are reflections and a replica of aspects of Kemet (Egypt) from the Mall layout of the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, it is all laid out based on Masonic architecture in which a black man named Benjamin Banneker helped designed the United States Capitol. (Reference: “The Debt: What America Owes to Blacks”).

Anthony Browder in his book titled, "Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization stated, " The pyramid and the eye above it (which represents the eye of Heru-the son of God) clearly establishes an Egyptian link with the reverse of the Great Seal. The obverse of this seal is strikingly similar to the Nile Valley image of Heru, and the differences represent the cultural nuances which were unique to the United States. Above the eagle's head are 13 stars which arranged in the form of the Magen David, which is also called the Seal of Solomon. This is an ancient symbol that predates Judaism and represents two pyramids. The two pyramids symbolize the two pillars of Solomon, which play significant role in ritualistic masonry. They have been described by one Masonic historian, Dr. John A. Weisse in hi publication The Obelisk and Freemasonry, as "an imitation ­of two obelisks at the entrance of Egyptian Temples (as) the two towers on Gothic cathedrals and two steeples on churches.” (Reference: Anthony T. Browder: “Nile Valley Contribution to Civilization” pg. 203).

High Finance and Freemasonry have been interlocked because those that controlled world finance has used Freemasonry and the ruling classes found ways to shield their objectives by entering and setting up various ORDERS. The likes of Paul Warburg and Amschel Rothschild are just examples of Invisible Rulers and Money Changers who hid in various Illuminati fronts and of course the House of Rothschild; money and finance have always been their top priorities because like Amshel Rothschild stated over 200 years ago, “if I can control a nations money, I care not who writes its laws” (Reference: George Armstrong; “Rothschild Money Trust”)

The so-called first European Freemasonic Lodge was established in 1717 under the guise of Speculative Masonry, which some historians believe these philosophical lodges evolved out of Operative Masons who had established powerful Trades Guilds relative to protecting and setting guidelines to governing the training rights and privileges of their Craftsmen; this afforded these skilled artisan to have control over their labor and wages, which was tied to their learned building skills—knowledge, that was divided into three separate and distinct labor categories or designations—Apprentice, Fellow, and Master. Thus, each learned skill level was to be the determination of what kind of wages that a Craftsman could ascertain and warrant for his labor.(Reference: W.L. Wilmshurst; “The Meaning of Masonry”).

These Operative Masons developed a language of communication and actually was functioning as high powered tradesman labor union, over three Hundred years ago. The Guildsman established this tight knit brotherhood, a fraternity of sought of skilled Craftsman. Speculative Masonry (philosophical Masonry) copied and emulated the social structure of these laborers who did not admit or allow unskilled labors to capitalize off their system of networking. They established signs, tokens, and words which to determine one of their own. (Robert Lomas; “Turning the Hiram Key”).

However, in Kemet (Ancient Egypt) perhaps 3500 to 4000 B.C. Africans where teaching Geometry; the neophytes that were being taught in Egyptian Mystery Schools understood the meaning of the letter "G".Yes, Pythagoras studied and acquired his knowledge of geometry in Kemet (Ancient Egypt). These Africans had constructed magnificent edifices such as the Pyramids at Luxor, Gizeh, Cheop, etc., based on almost perfect mathematical equations observing the laws of physics and astrology, the Great Pyramid was constructed almost directly in the center of the earth. George G.M. James in his book titled, “Stolen Legacy” admonishes that the Greeks and other civilizations borrowed heavily from Kemet (Egypt).

The Founding Fathers perhaps came in contact with this ancient wisdom from their involvement in Freemasonry and they too borrowed its mythological and majestic symbolism as a language and model in which in 1787 to establish a new nation that had risen from the ashes of oppression and tyranny; no different than the dispute between Seth (darkness) and Heru (light) his twin brother. They even gave the city of Philadelphia where the Constitution Convention was being held a Masonic theme; Philadelphia is called the City of Brotherly Love. Yes, “out of many, one,” but unless you understand the Masonic Symbolism that has been so eloquently written about by Manly P. Hall then our level of understanding will continue to be surface knowledge in matters such as these.

Fahim A. Knight-EL Chief Researcher for KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK located in Durham, NC; our mission is to inform African Americans and all people of good will of the pending dangers that lie ahead; as well as decode the symbolisms and reinterpret the hidden meanings behind those who operate as invisible forces, but covertly rules the world. We are of the belief that an enlighten world will be better prepared to throw off the shackles of ignorance and not be willing participants for the slaughter. Our MOTTO is speaking truth to power. Fahim A. Knight-EL can be reached at fahimknight@yahoo.com.

STAY AWAKE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
Fahim A. Knight-EL

Sunday, November 23, 2008

BLACK GREEK LETTER FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES: A TRADITION OF MIS-EDUCATION

BLACK GREEK LETTER FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES: A TRADITION OF MIS-EDUCATION

By Fahim A. Knight-EL

Should African people join “Black Greek” Lettered Fraternities and Sororities? This question has always been raised by the conscious community when it comes to the relevance of “Black Greek” Letter Fraternities and Sororities on college life and outside of black college life. This article originated with a Prince Hall Masonic brother named Robert McClendon, Jr., from the PHAmily website who asked me to write an article on “Black Greek” Lettered Fraternities and Sororities. This writer must admit that this topic was not high on my visible radar screen and I personally did not have much interest in doing such a subject, but from time to time, I do take leads from others, relative to doing research topics. Although, I may have not chosen this one as a topic, but nevertheless, it is a legitimate conversation within the African American community. Brother McClendon stated: “when you get a chance, we need you to break down this "Greek fraternity and sorority stuff" for our people. I read your take on Masonry not having the courage, but please elaborate on this whole idea of black people wearing Greek Letters and stepping and whole concept of assimilation. Appreciate it. I don't feel like taking these folks back to school. It's draining. Not that white folks won't tell the truth, but black folks just don't want to get it.”

Thus, during the early 1900s African Americans who were considered bourgeoisie and had bought into this equation of class and status—viewed in terms of caste significance and of upward socio-economic mobility ranking, as it was being espoused and set by standards of the dominant culture; and more specifically by the Caucasian Elite and aristocratic societies who were part of a privileged world of academia. George G.M. James in his monumental book titled, “Stolen Legacy” explored the historical and cultural exchanges between ancient Egypt (Kemet) and ancient Greece, in which James dismantled the myths and misconceptions that Africa gave nothing to world civilization and intellectually challenged the Eurocentric worldview that had falsely proclaimed that Europe had culturally enlightened the entire world to the detriment of other civilizations. (Reference: George G.M. James; “Stolen Legacy”).

James research placed Kemet (Egypt) in Africa, as opposed to being suspended into outer-space and somehow landed within the Middle East, but his work redefined Egypt and Africa as the mother of civilization where philosophy, medicine, astronomy, engineering, mathematics, art, music, architecture, religion, etc., originated and Greek philosophy was stolen from Kemet (Egypt) and reclaimed by the Europeans as their own. This writer could have ended this discussion by simple stating that biologically and ethnically Blacks are not Greeks and to call themselves “Black Greeks” is an insult and a dishonor to their own African heritage and culture and it is culturally inexcusable. (Reference: Cheik Anta Diop; “The African Origin of Civilization: Myth or Reality”).

The establishment of the so-called “Black Greek Lettered” Fraternities and Sororities were imitations that modeled after Elitist Caucasian Greek Lettered societies in philosophical scope and organizational intent including adopting the cultural models of their counterparts. The majority of the “Black Greek” Lettered Societies were established after the 1896 infamous United States Supreme Court Decision of Plessy versus Ferguson, which ushered in Jim Crow Laws of segregation and institutionalize racism. These laws advocated the “separate but equal” doctrine and it allowed the practice of racial segregation and legal discrimination against African Americans in the United States. Blacks were prohibited and denied membership into white fraternities and sororities and this led to them establishing their own so-called “Black Greek” Lettered Societies such as: Alpha Phi Alpha (1906), Kappa Alpha Psi (1911), Omega Psi Phi (1911), Phi Beta Sigma (1914), Iota Phi Theta (1963), Alpha Kappa Alpha (1908), Delta Sigma Theta (1913), , Zeta Phi Beta(1920), Sigma Gamma Rho (1922)—better known as the “Divine Nine.” (Reference: Lawrence Ross, Jr.; “The Devine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities”).

This is how Lawrence C. Ross who authored the book titled, "The Devine Nine” and who is an authority on “Black Greek” Lettered fraternities and sororities describes these societies in this manner: “America's black fraternities and sororities are a unique and vital part of 20th century African American history. Since the creation of the first fraternity in 1906 at Cornell University, they have provided young black achievers with opportunities to support each other, while serving their communities and the nation. From pioneering work in the suffragette movement to extraordinary strides during the Civil Rights era to life-changing inner-city mentoring programs in the 1990s, members of these organizations share a proud and vital history of brotherhood, sisterhood, and service.” (Reference: Lawrence Ross, Jr.; “The Devine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities” inside cover flap).

Ross continues: “Today, America's nine black fraternities and sororities are two-and-one-half million members strong and among the most powerful and influential groups in African American society-with chapters at major universities and colleges across the country, including Stanford University, Howard University, and University of Chicago. Many of America's most prominent business leaders, scientists, politicians, entertainers, and athletes took their first steps toward making a difference in the world in a fraternity or sorority.” (Reference: Lawrence Ross, Jr.; “The Devine Nine: The History of African American Fraternities and Sororities” inside cover flap).

George G.M. James advocated that the study of history and humanities needed to be intellectually revamped and there is perhaps no other source (Stolen Legacy) written by an African American scholar which has led to such a critical evaluation and assessment of Greek and Roman culture than this book. Thus, most critics and pundits of “Black Greek” Lettered Societies, almost always uses James’ research as a legitimate point of argument to show forth the greatness in African Kemetic people who taught all the Greek philosophers directly or either indirectly in the Egyptian Mystery Schools. African people have no justification in the 21st Century to still be calling themselves “Black Greeks” when it was the Nubian- Egyptians who enlightened humanity and not the other way around. Yes, there comes a time in history that we must demonstrate courage and the moral intestinal fortitude to depart and breakaway from tradition; in particular if new information has arisen, which renders past information and ideas as being obsolete, outdated and irreverent in spite of how painful the process may be, it becomes necessary to make the transitions—correct the wrong and allow these organizations to move forward within the proper cultural context. (Reference: Asa G. Hilliard, III; “The Reawakening of the African Mind).

Black Greek Lettered Fraternities and Sororities in 2008 must debunk the cultural and historical worldview of their founding fathers and mothers of these organizations that were established over one hundred (100) years ago, which reflected the political, economic, and social reality of white superiority and black inferiority based on that time in history and space. Many apologist of these “Black Greek” Lettered societies are always quick to point out the positive history and legacy of the good that has been made by these organizations in the areas of community outreach, academic pursuit, public service, mentoring programs, donated scholarships to underprivileged children, soup kitchens, etc., their philanthropy efforts are undeniable and the good that they do, is commendable and must be applauded by us all. Most of these so-called “Black Greek” Societies were founded on pristine principles of academic excellence and service to humanity.(Reference: Gregory S. Parks; “Black Greek-Letter Organizations in the 21st Century: Our Fight Has Just Begun”).

This writer was very proud of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc, in 1995 during the organizing of the Million Man March, which was headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Sigmas stood front and center by lending their resources to Dr. Benjamin Chavis-Muhammad and the Nation of Islam in organizing the march. I believe Chavis-Muhammad is an honorary member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, but nevertheless they played a huge role in logistics and organizing this event on a national level. Their efforts were commendable. Also, this writer can not forget the Omega Psi Phi Urban Radio Talk Show Host, Tom Joyner and the Tom Joyner Morning Show who has done yeomen’s work in the area of using his forum to give African American students that attend a Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) scholarship money; indeed often Joyner challenges his Omega Psi Fraternity brothers to give back and to put your money where your mouth is.

We will never discard the good work that they have done and continue to do, in the area of service; there is no doubt that the founders had good intentions and perhaps based on that time period saw fit to extract from the dominant culture, a model of excellence, thus emulating the names and practices of white Greek societies—Black Greek Lettered Fraternities and Sororities arrived as that beacon of light for the uninitiated black race. These early “Black Greek” Lettered Societies were very selective in its membership, they initially only recruited what whites referred to as “uppity Negroes” who oftentimes came from very light skinned miscegenation relationships and for many years it was difficult for very dark skinned blacks to gain membership into these black societies (there were exceptions, if your were dark skinned but came from a prominent named black family who was economically prosperous). Blacks were practicing a form of intra-racism within African American race based on the spectrum of pigmentation and the system of racial hierarchical that was created by white America. (E. Franklin Frazier; “Black Bourgeoisie”).

We must continue to always honor the original founders of these societies because in one sense they were visionaries who desired to elevate African American people politically, economically and socially, but the present, mandates that we take the next step in our cultural and historical development, which is to rename our “Black Greek” Lettered Fraternities and Sororities in order to incorporate the language and symbolism of the Metu Neter (Hieroglyphics) that which was written and spoken in Kemet (Egypt) 10,000 years ago. Africans will no longer be referred to as “Black Greeks”—there was a wise saying that was inscribed on the walls of Temples (pyramids) in Kemet, it read “MAN KNOW THY SELF” this was perhaps the greatest knowledge that were being taught in the lower chambers and upper chambers in the Mystery School curriculum. Kemet (Egypt) should be the new focus in re-establishing our “Black Greek” lettered Societies based on African values and African principles. (Reference: Ra Un Nefer Amen; “Metu Neter: The Great Oracle of Tehuti and the Egyptian System of Spiritual Cultivation”).

The term “Black Greek” should immediately become a term of yesterday because we must understand that change is constant and anything that becomes static, it dies. Tradition dies hard, but this writer believes that the time has come to end a century of cultural and historical mis-education and pursue social progress with the highest level of political correctness. All of humanity has an obligation to respect the fact that we live in a cultural melting pot and cultures have infused in all respect—but Marcus Garvey said it best “Africa for the Africans at home and abroad" and he said, One God, One Aim, One Destiny."

James wrote: “a system of re-education, in order to stimulate and encourage a change in the attitude of races toward each other In combining their efforts, both , races must not only preach and teach the truth that the Mystery system of the African Continent gave the world philosophy and religion, and the arts and sciences, but they must see to it that all false praise of the Greeks be removed from the textbooks of our schools and colleges; for this is the practice that has blind-folded the world, and has laid the foundations for the deplorable race relations of the modern world. (a) The name of Pythagoras, for instance, should be deleted from our mathematical textbooks: in Geometry, where the theorem of the square on the hypotenuse of a right angled triangle is called the Pythagorean Theorem, because this is not true. (b) we must point out to the world the deception in attach­ing the authorship of Socrates to the precept 'man know thy­self'; and in attaching the authorship of Plato to the four car­dinal virtues; since Socrates obtained the self-knowledge pre­cept from the Egyptian temples where it was used as an in­scription; and Plato reduced the ten virtues of the North African Mystery system to four (c) we must also prove to the world that the doctrines of the so-called Greek philosophers originated from the ancient Mystery System of North Africa. (Reference: George G.M. James; “Stolen Legacy” pg. 156).

This writer can re-call a very recent experience he had at one of the Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) with an African American college student who he had just witnessed was a part of a “Black Greek” Probate ceremony (this is a public ceremonial and festive tradition where the neophytes who had endured the pledging process and had so-called crossed over the hot burning sands, is presented to the general public as a newly made fraternal brother or sorority sister, and has earned the right, as a recognized member of these various “Black Greek” Societies where these new pledges may put on step shows and other activities, upon completion of the probate they are ordinarily showered with gifts and congratulatory wishes) and this brother who had just pledged one of the Black Greek Lettered Fraternities and I said to him, “peace African”. He became upset and angry that I had called him African as opposed to calling him Greek, but I saw this same student moments later and someone said, “ what's up newly pledge Greek” and this young man responded more favorably. The movie “Stomp the Yard” gave us somewhat a look into Black Greek Fraternity and Sorority life and culture. For example, stepping may not resonate with white Greek Fraternities but it is big with Black Greek Fraternities and Sororities, it is an intricate part of character of these societies.

This writer loves Black College Basketball and there is a huge black basketball tournament called the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) tournament, a NCAA Division II tournament that is perhaps one of the largest basketball tournaments in the United States, which is more of a large black college family reunion that includes a lot of festivities including “Black Greek” Fraternity and Sorority step shows. It is indeed a sight to see, as far as the social bonding and the impact these societies have on “old heads” and “new heads.” Here is a YouTube link from “Stomping the Yard” http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GGLR,GGLR:2006-39,GGLR:en&q=stomp+the+yard&um=1&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title. But this writer has always enjoyed the CIAA Tournament and the festivities, and it is difficult to explain this to outsiders who have not experienced black college life; however, the fact remains African Americans are not “Black Greeks” and this alone makes these organizations unacceptable and fundamentally wrong. This writer will not succumb to the continued mis-education of young impressionable black minds out of an emotional appreciation for these festivities; they can continue this, but the philosophy and names of these Black Greek Societies must be rooted in African values and principles. Sam Cooke the legendary soul singer said it best “A Change Is Gonna Come.”

This African American student response to me was a microcosm and an indication that he lacked the knowledge of self and kind, but the problem was systemic and far beyond that young man’s reaction towards me. He perhaps had no idea that Herodotus, Hippocrates, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle and all the great Greek philosophers and free thinkers had learnt their world altering knowledge and wisdom from his Nubian Kemetic (Egyptian) ancestors. Some who read this article may not know that Black Greek Lettered Fraternities brand their neophytes (new members who have crossed over in the fraternity) with fraternity symbol on some part of the body (a practice of self mutilation). They brand their members with permanent fraternal symbolism as to say you are the property of this organization and you belong to us. This writer abhors such a practice because it takes me back to Chattel Slavery (1555-1865) where the vicious white slave masters would brand his black slaves as if they were livestock and that his chattel belonged to his plantation and no one else could claim his slave property, but him because the markings identified certain Africans as belonging to a certain slave master and plantation. This practice of branding was inhumane yesterday and it is inhumane today. This writer looked up the definition of Brand and one of the definitions stated: “Mark on criminal or enslaved person: history formerly, a mark made on the skin of a criminal or a slave, especially to identify the owner”

Dr. Naim Akbar who is a psychologist on the staff at Florida State University and author of the book titled, "Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery" he stated: "Slavery was 'legally' ended in excess of 100 years ago, but the over 300 years experienced in its brutality and unnaturalness constituted a severe psychological and social shock to the minds of African-Americans. This shock was so destructive to natural life processes that the current generation of African-Americans, though we are 5-6 generations removed from the actual experience in both our social and mental lives. Psychologists and sociologists have failed to attend to the persistence of problems in our mental and social lives, which clearly have their roots in slavery. Only the historians have given proper attention to the shattering realties of slavery, and have dealt with it only as descriptive of past events." (Reference: Naim Akbar; “Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery”).

The crossing of the hot burning sands—this is symbolic and geographically talking about the rugged and difficulty of those who we forced to walk 2,200 miles across the hot Arabian Desert (years ago before hazing was outlawed it was mentally and physically challenging for a Neophyte to cross the hot burning sands into a “Black Greek” Lettered Fraternities and Sororities , but today they are just certificate card carrying members who paid money to join and was required to remember the history of the organization; when I came along years ago that paddle made pledging a very difficult task) and this no more evident than in the ritual of the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) which they acquire the knowledge of this process and then play these silly games with the Islamic religion. But it was taught more fully and given a complete explanation by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. The “Black Greek” Lettered Fraternities and Sororities have failed to understand just as the Freemasons, which is their parent organization of the “Black Greek” Lettered Fraternities and Sororities; which they both failed to understand that all this history and culture belongs to the original man. The five schools of architecture style that is relished in the Fellowcraft degree of Freemasonry (Second degree Middle Chamber lecture)—Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan and Composite did not originate in Greece and Roman. But in Kemet who gave enlightenment to the entire world.

Yes, the Seven Liberal Arts—Grammar, Rhetoric, logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy and Music had its origin’s also in Kemet (Egypt); European scholars such as Albert Churchward in his monumental book titled, "Signs and Symbols of Primordial Man" verify and substantiate that Kemet (Egypt) had fed the entire world civilization. Also, Gerald Massey in his book titled, "Ancient Egypt The Light of the World" he to took the cradle of knowledge and civilization back to Kemet (Egypt), Manly P. Hall who authored the book titled, "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" and he also pointed the ancient wisdom back to Kemet (Egypt) and lastly, Sir Godfrey Higgins in his book titled, “Anacalypsis: An Attempt to Draw Aside the Veil of the Saitic or an Inquiry into the Origin of Languages.” Therefore this is nothing that we made up, but from Kemet (Egypt) sprung world civilization and most of these scholars of antiquity have written treatise that documents the complexity and majesty of a society that is unduplicated in their contribution towards humanity. All knowledge and wisdom originated in the East and to the East lies the answers to solving our cultural dilemmas and stagnation. (John G. Jackson; “Introduction to African Civilization’).

Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Phi Alpha and other “Black Greek” Lettered Fraternities and Sororities do have Egyptian symbols and language in their ritual, which they reference Kemet (Egypt). Shahid M. Allah stated: “The Greek letter of Delta, with the sorority’s symbols, resembles a triangle. This is the same shape that this organization’s members use as a sign, which is formed by making a pyramid (triangle) with the pointers and thumbs of both hands. We need to take a second look at the sign made by the Deltas because there is much significance below the surface value of it. . . Some of the Supreme Wisdom of the Great Pyramid has been incorporated into the esoteric orders like the Order of the Eastern Star (O.E.S.). The Eastern Stars are the female auxiliary to the Masons. This women recognize the above mentioned hand gesture of the Delta's as the "Sister's Sign," or "The Sign of Martha." It is done by raising the triangular shape (made with the fingertips) to a parallel position with your eyes. This sign represents Martha's appealing to Jesus Christ, after the death of her brother Lazarus. "Believest thou this?" is the question asked when an Eastern Star sees a woman holding up this sign. Hence, there is a resurrective value in the pyramid sign that the sorors of Delta Sigma Theta hold up.” (Reference: Shahid M. Allah; “Take A Second Look”) and also reference Paula Giddings book titled, “ In Search of Sisterhood: Delta Sigma Theta and the Challenge of the Black Sorority Movement”.

Sherrod N. Gresham in his book titled, “Prominent Prince Hall Masons on the Philatelic Materials: Stamps, First Day Covers, and Post Cards” stated, “On March 2, 1784, African Lodge #1 petitioned the Grand Lodge of England, the Premier or Mother Grand Lodge of the world, for a warrant (ort character), to organize a regular Masonic lodge, with all the rights and privileges thereunto prescribed. The Grand Lodge of England issued a character on September 29, 1784, to African Lodge # 459, the first lodge of blacks in America.” (Reference: Joseph A. Walkes; “Black Square and Compass: 200 years of Prince Hall Freemasonry).

Prince Hall, a free black man of Boston, Massachusetts was initiated and raised as a master mason by a traveling British Military lodge in 1775 along with fifteen other free black men. In addition, Prince Hall received an official and legitimate Masonic Charter from the Grand lodge of England on September 29, 1784, which led to the establishing of African lodge Number 459. This was perhaps the first black fraternity in America and all the Black Greek Lettered Societies owe their ritual (Reference: Walter M. Kimbrough’ “Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities”).

Dr. Carter G. Woodson (a Omega Psi Phi member) the father of Black History Month, which was originally Black History week, wrote a profound little book in 1933 titled the “Mis-education of the Negro” and Woodson wrote about how African Americans were mis-educated and taught to admire and appreciate all other people’s culture and history but themselves. This of course was systematically done to instill self-hatred and foster a disconnection to one of the oldest and luscious histories to be found any place in the world. Thus, black people during the Transatlantic slave trade and the Middle Passage Africans were systematically stripped of their religion, names, values, folkways, mores, etc., and most of all denied the right to their own culture and heritage for 310 years (1555-1865). Some Africans resisted this forcible enculturation process, but out of survival many became inculcated within a system of white supremacy. (Reference: Carter G. Woodson the “Mis-Education of the Negro”).

Molefi Kete Asante in his book titled, “Afrocentricity” stated: “Some of us have been asleep so long and so deeply that we were not able to heed the words of Cheikh Anta Diop and Chancellor Williams (Diop, 1974, 1978; Williams, 1974). But when the New York Times came out with the story that Nubia had an older civilization than Egypt it validated the Afrocentric histories of Diop, Ben-Jochannan, and Williams in the minds of even the most stubborn Eurocentric Africans (Ben·Jochannan, 1972). Numerous writers have challenged the basic premises of Afrocentricity by expounding a Eurocentric viewpoint of everything from culture to the origin or civilization. The African writers who have mimicked such Eurocentric formulas are unable to think in an Afrocentric frame of mind. As result, they relinquish their thoughts and research to Eurocentric purposes, and consequently deny their own humanity. Enslavement of the mind is the most pernicious kind of enslavement because the person so enslaved will never be able to see clearly for himself. Breaking the mental chains only occurs when a person learns to take two sets of notes on almost everything encountered in the Western world. (Reference: Molefi Kete Asante; “Afrocentricity” pg. 40).

The BOULE (Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity) is perhaps one of the first black Greek letter fraternities that was founded in 1904, but most of its founders were Prince Hall Masons and/or had strong Masonic affiliations. The term BOULE means “advisor to the king”. Steve Cokley is considered the authority on the BOULE, he has a video series titled, “Boule Buster: The Plot To Destroy Black Education”. Frontline Magazine did an article titled, “Boule” stated, “We know the Illuminati (Rhodes/Rothschild secret society) also goes by the name, the ROUND TABLE GROUP the Boule, which created the 8 black fraternities and sororities (now known as the Divine Nine). Rockefeller is a subdivision of the Rhodes/Rothschild or New World Order regime.” Charles H. Wesley who was a prominent Prince Hall Mason wrote the definitive history of the Boule (Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity) titled, Reference: Charles H. Wesley; “History of Sigma Pi Phi, first of the Negro-American Greek-letter fraternities”).

This African-American secret society is a “powerful” fraternity and sorority known as the BOULE which is a Freemasonic type organization that attracts some of the top black politicians, intellectuals, business persons, etc, and those who are considered influential and part of the black bourgeoisie.

W.E.B. Dubois preached and advocated that blacks should pursue a classical and/or Liberal Arts education, as opposed to Booker T. Washington espousing technical training. Dubois model was geared towards sending 10% of the black population to the universities and colleges of higher learning with an objective of attaining liberal arts education and coming back to the black community and help to elevate the race. Dubois and historians called this theory the “Talented Tenth” theory (Reference: W.E.B. Dubois “The Souls of Black Folk”). Also, there is an interesting book written by Charles H. Wesley, titled, “The History of Alpha Phi Alpha: A Development in College Life” that deals African American race, class and the pursuit of education.

The Boule has been known for attracting the African American Talented Tenth for now over a century; it was described this way “the quintessential brotherhood for African-American men." The incoming Grand Sire Archon, New Orleans banker and financier Charles Teamer, says the Boule "is unique because no other organization brings together so many talented leaders--sometimes you have in the same room the mayor and the biggest educational and economic leaders in town--and no other organization provides such an unparalleled opportunity to mentor, change structures, and build bridges." He says his administration will concentrate on mentoring, creating new international connections and moving networking to another level.

The BOULE was originally styled after the Skull Bones Fraternity conceived as an organization that would contain the "best of Skull and Bones of Yale and of Phi Beta Kappa," In the keynote address, Archon Vernon Jordan Jr. (former aid to Bill Clinton and Civil Right leader) presented a 12-point program for personal and collective renewal, saying, among other things, that "we must create a new sense of community among our own ... bridge the growing economic gap within the Black community [and] re-Brown Brown to counter the long slide back into de facto segregation." We must also, he said, "constantly remind the new entrants into the Talented Tenth that their exciting jobs in corporate America and investment banking and in law firms are not the result of their grades and their ability and their school all by themselves. They did not get there by themselves ... and they have to know it."

The Skull and Bones of Yale University, the author John Lawrence Reynolds book titled, “Secret Societies: Inside The World’s Most Notorious Organizations” he assess this secret society by stating, “One, however, exerts day-to-day influence over the lives of virtually everyone on the planet, and it achieved this not with a tightly structured organization but via an association of privileged young men attending a prestigious university. Its existence is verifiable, its history is linked to MASONIC traditions and the ILLUMINATI objectives, its practices remain shadowy, and its activities are replete with suspicious behavior. It is Skull & Bones, a hatchery of American leadership whose members has not only achieved POWER and Prominence on a scale far in excess of their numbers, but retains their close bond throughout their careers, creating at least the semblance of a cabal and perhaps something much more than that.”

Now! The above assessment is real high degree Freemasonry because these OATH TAKERS of an Elite sector of our society have sworn to use their DYNASTIC influence (High Finance) that is tied too prominent banking families and have placed their Devotes in every decision making endeavor which to influence the political, economic and social reality of world society. The 33rd Degree in Freemasonry under Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is styled the Sovereign Grand Inspector General. This degree is an honorary and conferred degree and it is not up for petition; thus entry into this final and terminal degree is only at the recommendation of another 33rd Degree Mason.

The ceremonies and rituals of this conferment ordinarily include some of the most powerful men in the United States in particular and the world in general. We learn in the ritual a set of questions and answers that reads like this: QUESTIONS: Are you a Sovereign Grand Inspector General? ANSWER: By giving you the past word. QUESTION: Begin. ANSWER: Jacques de Molay. QUESTION: Hiram Abif. ANSWER: Frederick of Prussia. QUESTION: What are the meanings of the skeletons skulls, bones and torches in our Council? ANSWER: They serve to remind of the massacre of our ancestors by Philippe the Fair who delivered them to the most cruel tortures. QUESTION: Why do you appear in mourning armed with a sword? Answer: To mourn their loss and be ready to avenge them. QUESTION: Who established this degree? ANSWER: Our Illustrious Brother of Brunswick, Frederick, King of Prussia.
This writer wonder does the Skull and Bones and Black BOULE’ have a loose philosophical connection to The United Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree in Freemasonry. This writer resides in Durham, which the Mayor of the city William V. “Bill” Bell is a BOULE’ member and in a recent citywide mayoral race, Obama came to Durham and endorsed the black BOULE member and it left this writer inquisitive whether his relationship with BOULE’ Mayor Bell was based on them both being perhaps OATH TAKERS. A writer in Ebony Magazine who authored and article titled,“1904-2004: the Boule at 100: Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity Holds Centennial Celebration” stated, “What makes the Boule's success all the more interesting is that it was founded as a secret or quasi-secret organization and did not seek public notice until the 1960s and 1970s”

On most of the white college campus throughout America; they had white only Greek lettered societies and organizations, in which their existed a long tradition of social and academic prosperity and social networking that ventured far beyond college life into the social, political, and economic lives of its members, as far as politically maneuvering and stationing its members in key positions through out society. The undergraduate mission statement for most Greek Letter Fraternities on the white college campus was getting drunk and partying and having a good social time, but many of these students were third and fourth generation Greek Letter Oath Takers and their parents were getting them prepared for the task of leading humanity (once they sobered up). The Skull and Bones was founded on the campus of Yale University in the year of 1832 and is perhaps the most powerful and influential college fraternity in America. Black Greek Lettered Fraternities and Sororities are miniature Skull and Bones organizations, but lack the real Elite networking, which is reserved for those individuals who will eventually be initiated in the REAL ORDERS (many are call, few chosen) such as the Bilderberger, Council on Foreign Relations, and the Trilateral Commission this is the real brotherhood and sisterhood that rule over humanity and their membership is not based on race or ethnicity, but on an ideology that is rooted in the principles of GLOBALIZATION AND A ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT. (Reference: Gary Allen and Larry Abraham; “None Dare Call it Conspiracy”)

Fahim A. Knight-EL Chief Researcher for KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK located in Durham, NC; our mission is to inform African Americans and all people of good will of the pending dangers that lie ahead; as well as decode the symbolisms and reinterpret the hidden meanings behind those who operate as invisible forces, but covertly rules the world. We are of the belief that an enlighten world will be better prepared to throw off the shackles of ignorance and not be willing participants for the slaughter. Our MOTTO is speaking truth to power. Fahim A. Knight-EL can be reached at fahimknight@yahoo.com.

STAY AWAKE UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN,
Fahim A. Knight-EL