"Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: Myth or Reality?"
By Fahim A. Knight-EL
This writer was reflecting on some chain of events that has recently occurred relative to various conversation he has had with African Americans that represented a differential of political perspectives and after these conversations he began to reflect even further on his own personal experiences and the collective experiences as Africans and/or as African Americans (a term that I am not so fond of). Thus, after receiving a very inflammatory and mean-spirited email from an African American; it cause me to reflect even deeper because certain conduct and behavior that we as African Americans demonstrate is often not created in a vacuum, but it is often tied to our collective experience as a people in the United States. (Reference: Haki R. Madhubuti; “Claiming Earth: Race, Rage, Rape, Redemption: Blacks Seeking A Culture of Enlightened Empowerment).
We have never had a serious and honest conversation in the United States of America about Race and how race affected the development of our social, political, and economic institutions in America and the attitudes that have been formed by this reality. Moreover, this dishonesty is at the root of the many racial discords—ranging from suspiciousness, stereotypes, lack of ethnic trust, disharmony, etc. This writer lives in Durham, North Carolina and we are fortunate to have in our city Duke University, one of the foremost academic institutions in the United States. (Reference: Tim Wise; "White Like Me: Reflections on Race From a Privileged Son").
This writer has had the opportunity over the many years to talk with one of the premier African-American historians in the United States named Dr. John Hope Franklin who is a professor emeritus and author of perhaps one of the most widely published and read black history books in the history of the United States titled, "From Slavery to Freedom". Also, was appointed to President Bill Clinton's Race Commission. This writer was first introduced to Dr. Franklin in the early 1980s by one of my mentors, the late Dr. Earlie Thorpe at North Carolina Central University another academic jewel in the city of Durham, North Carolina. Dr. Franklin has to be over ninety (90) years of age and although he is perhaps one of the most celebrated historians in America; I believe his personal experience of being born during the height of the turbulent Jim Crow Era has always compromised his ability to confront the issues of Race and Racism aggressively in his writings as opposed to assessing and evaluating this pandemic with tempered fear. Yet, within the United States we are perhaps prepared to elect an African American to the highest office in the world—president of the United States and some will use this symbolic token as the epitome of social progress for African Americans and once again relegate this 450 year old needed debate to the level of being an insignificant and unnecessary discussion. (Reference: Sultan Abdul Latif and Naimah Latif; "Slavery: The African American Psychic Trauma").
However, this writer does think that the entire question and equation of race in the superficial realm, is often instigated and is given a premise to exist by the dominant society, in particular the powers-that-be, which to divert attention from what is really going on and is design to consume humanity in useless battles of artificial barriers and divisive conflicts (of divide and conquer schemes). Thus, this writer, is fully aware of this plot and is very clear about the enemies perspective and motive; then it might appear as a contradiction to many readers around the world who read the KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK articles and the number of blogs that I have posted relative to assessing and evaluating the question of race and politics; in particular in the United States. (Reference: Cornel West; "Race Matters).
The psyche of black humanity in the U.S. was partially shaped by a history of oppression, tyranny and racism; these variables had a deep and everlasting affect on the psychological and collective conscious of these people who were deemed Chattel Slaves (1555-1865) and their descendants. Thus, right after slavery, the United States Supreme Court in 1896 passed Plessy Versus Ferguson (Separate, But Equal legislation and laws), which ushered in Jim Crow laws and segregation. This period lasted until 1954 (Brown V. The Board of Education) in which the High Court legally struck down Plessy v. Ferguson and declared Separate but Equal as being unconstitutional. This social and political history created a political and social dichotomy in America—blacks were never accepted as "full Americans". (Reference: C. Vann Woodard; The Strange Career of Jim Crow”).
So, when you see and hear a Minister Louis Farrakhan, Ben Ammi, Dick Gregory, Malik Zulu Shabazz, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, etc, you must understand that a Black Liberation Theology evolved out of a need for diaspora blacks to reaffirm their cultural and religious identity in the same way there was a need to re-affirm their "Americanism" by forcing America to live up to his creed as it was written within the language given in the United States Constitution. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. socially agitated and this led to the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and 1965 Voting Rights Act. These were necessary steps to ensure that the question of race did not enter into the legality of this democracy and the jurisprudence system needed to reflect these measures. But it does not matter how much you legislate, you can not dictate or control people and individuals—group norms, folkways, mores, values, etc. The culture of racism had become entrenched even in the Christian and religious doctrines of America. The religious teachings, images, symbolism, etc., reflected the dominant culture and Black Liberation Theology articulated by James Cone, Cecil Cone, Albert Cleage and others sought to balance this equation. There is a good book written by a former Georgia State University psychologist named Dr. Asa G. Hilliard titled, "The Reawakening of the African Mind."
This writer was given a CD speech titled, "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" by my cousin George Knight from New Jersey last year and it took me a year to listen to the speech because I believe that the Creator decided upon the time I should have this life changing experience. This sister who authored this work is named Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary; she is a sociologist and psychologist by profession. Dr Leary also is the author a book titled, "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing She maintained in her scholarship that African Americans as a collective race of people, although, 450 years later are still suffering from 'Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome". The 310 years of physical and psychological abuse has rendered us as a damaged people both psychologically and emotionally.
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”).
But what was interesting about this study or should I say, the focus of the scholarship dealt with HEALING and we as a collective ethnic group after the trauma of slavery were never given the proper therapy (mental health treatment like other post traumatic stress disorder victims); and the pathology of slavery scarred us deeply. Therefore, in our present day lives as African Americans we still demonstrate behavior and conduct that is consistent with "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome"; all 30-40 million blacks in this country were passed by-way of DNA and genetic coding the symptoms of trauma. So, when I see an African (African American) demonstrating violent behavior, self-hatred, using abusive language, and acting out anti-social behavior against another black person or against another human being, I know that their behavior is a direct result of lacking HEALING and their own victimization has turned inwardly towards another African. (Claud Anderson: “PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America).
Prior to listening to this CD titled, "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" I must say I did not totally understand some of our negative behavior, as far as the root cause and effect. If I can, I am going to make an attempt to get every family member a copy of that message, so you all can identify and benefit from this awesome information (we live in an information age). This study provided me with a greater insight as it relates to determining and identifying certain negative conduct and behavior demonstrated by African Americans, which should be placed in its proper context of "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" and not only is the purveyors of the anti-social behavior a victim of this illness and pathology, but we all are victims because a system of white supremacy never allowed us the proper channels to HEAL. The next reflection I had, was when I was a freshmen in college. This writer was given perhaps one of the most important books that I have ever read titled, "The Mis-Education of the Negro" authored in 1933 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson.. Woodson maintained that western education had failed us as individuals and as a collective race of people. Western Education supported the idea that Africans were inferior and gave nothing to civilization and Africa was considered the "Dark Continent", but whites and Europeans so-called enlightened world society by given the world science, architecture, art, religion, math, etc., through our western education and training, we internalized deep rooted self-hatred for our selves and each other. (Carter G. Woodson; “The Mis-Education of the Negro”).
Our Mis-Education was systemic and we were taught to hate ourselves and anything black (African) and our present day negative behavior towards each other is a direct result of our Mis-Education. We were taught to adopt their mores, folkways and values, which lacks harmony with the universe and our spirit of MAAT (balance and equilibrium) with heavy emphasis on negating our culture and heritage. Thus, certain conduct we demonstrate is coming from a history of Mis-Education and the email I received must be received as an act of Mis-Education, but we all are victims of Mis-Education, which takes us back to the HEALING process and the devastating effects Chattel Slavery had on Africans who survived the dehumanization of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade and the Middle Passage. (Reference: Claud Anderson: Black Labor, White Wealth: The Search for Power and Economic Justice”).
Many of us do not know that we are Mis-Educated and are suffering from "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" I know that I am, but after being in the counseling profession for many years, the first step to curing any illness is admittance. Dr. Leary stated: "The root of this denial for the dominant culture is fear, and fear mutates into all kinds of things: psychological projection, distorted and sensationalized representations in the media, and the manipulation of science to justify the legal rights and treatment of people. That’s why it’s become so hard to unravel”.
“Unfortunately, many European Americans have a very hard time even hearing a person of color express their experiences. The prevailing psychological mechanism is the idea, “I’ve not experienced it, so it cannot be happening for you.”
“Truly, how can anyone tell me what I have and have not experienced? This is a very paternalistic manifestation of white supremacy, the idea that African Americans and other people of color can be told, with great authority, what their ancestor’s lives were like and even what their own, present-day lives are like. The result for those on the receiving end of this kind of distortion is an aspect of PTSS. People begin to doubt themselves, their experiences, and their worth in society because they have been so invalidated their whole lives, in so many ways”. (Reference Silja J.A. Talvi; On-Line Web Magazine “In These Times” Article titled, “Post 'Traumatic Slave Syndrome; Dr. Joy DeGruy Leary talks About Her Provocative New Book”)
I have been mentoring perhaps ten (10) young African American male college students for over the past two years as part of the outreach wing of the KEEPING IT REAL THINK TANK and we have learned to talk openly as a method of HEALING—we delve into the African experience on many different levels, the topic varies from week to week. I would like to think these young men have benefited from my knowledge base and experience. We talked about the state of their HIP-HOP culture and the responsibility they have to lead their peers in a positive direction. A few of these young men have recently graduated from North Carolina Central University; they have since come back to thank me for assisting them in their educational plights.
There is a great African Centered psychiatrist in the Washington D.C. area named Dr. Frances Cress Welsing; she is more than qualified to give us the HEALING we need. She authored the book titled the "Isis Papers". Also, there is Dr. Naim Akbar (author of "Chains and Images of Psychological Slavery) and there is Dr. Kobi Kambon author of "AFRICAN/BLACK PSYCHOLOGY IN THE AMERICAN CONTEXT: AN AFRICAN-CENTERED APPROACH”. Now! Those who live in the Raleigh-Durham area there is Dr. Baba Kamou Kambon (author of “The Last Black man Standing”, we all must pursue HEALING. The sender of that vitriol and divisive email may not even know that he is sick, but I am taking my time to write this and to bring some understanding of why, we do what we do. I AM NOT ANGRY AT MY BROTHER HE IS A VICTIM JUST LIKE ME AND ALL OF US WHO ARE AFRICANS.
Finally, I attended the Million Man March back on October 16, 1995 and Minister Louis Farrakhan gave the Black men present that day a pledge and I had just recently quoted this pledge, but I see the necessity to re-state this timely pledge again in this writing . I do not know, if the sender of that email attended the Million Man March; but this is what Minister Farrakhan asked us as black men to pledge and honor:
I pledge that from this day forward, I will strive to love my Brother as I love myself.
I pledge from this day forward, I will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, socially, politically and economically for the benefit myself, my family and my people.
I pledge that I will strive to build businesses, build houses, build hospitals, build factories, and enter into international trade, for the good of myself, and my people.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to beat, hurt, or shoot any member of my family, or any human being, except in self-defense.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never abuse my wife by striking her or disrespecting her, for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never engage in the abuse of children--little boys or little girls--for sexual gratification. But I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.
I will never again use the 'B' word to describe any female, but particular my own black sister.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will not poison my body with drugs or that which is destructive to my health and well being.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, and black television. I will support Black artists who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their people, and respect for the ears of the human family. (Reference: Kim Martin Sadler; “Atonement, The Million Man March”).
Although this article has more to do with "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" and Healing I would be remissed in my duty, if I did not briefly touch on the slave trade, but the article did not sought this angle as its focus. There is a book titled "The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews" authored by the Nation of Islam's Historical Research Department back in 1991; which published perhaps one of the most controversial books to be written in the late 20th Century. The research looked at credible and authentic Jewish sources and historical records to assess and evaluate what the Jewish involvement was in Transatlantic Slave Trade and the Middle Passage (1440s --1807). The Nation of Islam researchers found that there were overwhelmingly Jewish involvement on every level—buying and selling of slaves—to owning disproportional numbers of slave plantations. They discovered that some of the Jewish Slave Merchants used Gentile and European names and played a much larger role in the African Slave Trade than what was previously known. They were large on the financier end, slave brokers, owners, plantation owners, etc. Moreover, some Jews equated the Nation of Islam book the ”The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews" as equivalent to "The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion" and tried to dismissed it as anti-Semitic material. (Reference: Nation of Islam Historical Research Department; The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews).
The Simon Wiesenthal Center hired Jewish Scholar Harold Brackman who wrote the anti-thesis to the Nation of Islam research titled, " Ministry of Lies: The Truth Behind "The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews" Brackman tried to refute and discredit the Nation of Islam scholars as using shoddy research methods and less than ingenious Jewish scholars as their verification sources. But the Nation of Islam researchers opened up a new research arena and as much as the European Nations played huge roles in the African Slave Trade, but they found something more sinister relative to the "secret" Jewish involvement who even used Gentile Front men to disguise the level of their involvement. Many scholars black and white are fearful of Zionist reprisals and even more fearful of being labeled anti-Semitic, which might cost them their academic careers, if they were to touch the subject of Jewish involvement in the African Slave Trade. Therefore, this subject has not received the needed scholarly attention to either confirm or discredit "The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews". But they will not even allow a sensible debate to occur on the topic and subject without yelling "anti-Semitism". The powerful Jewish Lobby groups went after the Afrocentric scholars for daring to suggest and expose Jewish involvement in the African Slave Trade. They went after Dr. Tony Martin, Dr. Leonard Jefferies, Dr. Khallid Abdul Muhammad, Dr. John Henrik Clarke, etc. They also accused Minister Louis Farrakhan of being the sole author of the book and the Nation of Islam was attacked from every direction by Zionist forces. I am still objective and personally would like to see a greater debate on this issue. (Reference: Tony Martin; The Jewish Onslaught).
We must also understand that it was an inhumane process that the Europeans and American slave masters used to take an African and turn them into a "Negro" and it is nowhere better described, analyzed, and revealed than written in the Willie Lynch letter delivered by William Lynch on the bank of the James River in 1712. This letter reflects the depth of the crime and the inhumanness of the perpetrators and in all of my research this writer has not read anything so descriptive relative to the making of the African slave. This letter in my opinion gives intellectual and scholarly credence to Dr. Leary hypothesis of present day African-Americans could be suffering from "Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome" There is little doubt that the European nations of France, United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, etc., and yes the Arabs are guilty of one of the greatest crimes ever perpetrated against humanity--Chattel Slavery. (Reference: JC deGraft-Johnson; “African Glory: Story of Vanished Negro Civilization”).
"THE WILLIE LYNCH LETTER AND THE MAKING OF THE SLAVE"
“Gentlemen. I greet you here on the bank of the James River in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twelve. First, I shall thank you, the gentlemen of the Colony of Virginia, for bringing me here. I am here to help you solve some of your problems with slaves. Your invitation reached me on my modest plantation in the West Indies , where I have experimented with some of the newest and still the oldest methods for control of slaves. Ancient Rome 's would envy us if my program is implemented. As our boat sailed south on the James River, named for our illustrious King, whose version of the Bible we Cherish, I saw enough to know that your problem is not unique. While Rome used cords of wood as crosses for standing human bodies along its highways in great numbers, you are here using the tree and the rope on occasions. “
“I caught the whiff of a dead slave hanging from a tree, a couple miles back. You are not only losing valuable stock by hangings, you are having uprisings, slaves are running away, your crops are sometimes left in the fields too long for maximum profit, You suffer occasional fires, your animals are killed. Gentlemen, you know what your problems are; I do not need to elaborate. I am not here to enumerate your problems, I am here to introduce you to a method of solving them”.
“In my bag here, I HAVE A FULL PROOF METHOD FOR CONTROLLING YOUR BLACK SLAVES. I guarantee every one of you that if installed correctly IT WILL CONTROL THE SLAVES FOR AT LEAST 300 HUNDREDS YEARS. My method is simple. Any member of your family or your overseer can use it”.
“I HAVE OUTLINED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENCES AMONG THE SLAVES; AND I TAKE THESE DIFFERENCES AND MAKE THEM BIGGER. I USE FEAR, DISTRUST AND ENVY FOR CONTROL PURPOSES. These methods have worked on my modest plantation in the West Indies and it will work throughout the South. Take this simple little list of differences and think about them. On top of my list is "AGE" but it's there only because it starts with an "A." The second is "COLOR" or shade, there is INTELLIGENCE, SIZE, SEX, SIZES OF PLANTATIONS, STATUS on plantations, ATTITUDE of owners, whether the slaves live in the valley, on a hill, East, West, North, South, have fine hair, course hair, or is tall or short. Now that you have a list of differences, I shall give you a outline of action, but before that, I shall assure you that DISTRUST IS STRONGER THAN TRUST AND ENVY STRONGER THAN ADULATION, RESPECT OR ADMIRATION”.
“The Black slaves after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self refueling and self generating for HUNDREDS of years, maybe THOUSANDS. Don't forget you must pitch the OLD black Male vs. the YOUNG black Male, and the YOUNG black Male against the OLD black male. You must use the DARK skin slaves vs. the LIGHT skin slaves, and the LIGHT skin slaves vs. the DARK skin slaves. You must use the FEMALE vs. the MALE. And the MALE vs. the FEMALE. You must also have you white servants and over- seers distrust all Blacks. But it is NECESSARY THAT YOUR SLAVES TRUST AND DEPEND ON US. THEY MUST LOVE, RESPECT AND TRUST ONLY US”.
“Gentlemen, these kits are your keys to control. Use them. Have your wives and children use them, never miss an opportunity. IF USED INTENSELY FOR ONE YEAR, THE SLAVES THEMSELVES WILL REMAIN PERPETUALLY DISTRUSTFUL. Thank you gentlemen."
Fahim A. Knight 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 can be reached at fahimknight@yahoo.com.
Stay Awake Until We Meet Again,
Fahim A. Knight
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
The Knights Templar: Freemasonry—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam; the Modern Problem
The True Meaning of the 33rd Degree
By Fahim A. Knight-EL
Who are the rightful owners and landlords of the Holy City of Jerusalem in which centuries of blood shed has been spilled? Does this land belong to the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and/or the Freemasons? These are the most essential questions to be solved—the rightful owners and their heir apparent is at the root of the so-called Jew (Israeli) and Muslim (Arab) conflict in the Middle East today in 2008. Both of these ethnic groups are imposters (Khazars/Ashkenazi and Semites) and are fighting over land and territory that belongs to neither.
This article in part came about due to many conversations this writer had with a gentleman named Nick Galanti who is a historian and curator out of South Carolina and the owner of the website http://templedc.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2 in which most Freemasons and non-Masons may find intriguing. This writer was hired by Galanti (a feisty Italian), to do some research but found his knowledge base to be extensive in an area he passionately calls the “ORDER”. I will not reveal the extent and depth of our intellectual interactions, but I will say Galanti was on to something with far reaching philosophical implications. This writer invites those who are in search of knowledge and alternative philosophical viewpoints to visit http://templedc.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2
The original man was robbed of his land and the knowledge of self and even he does not know what his rightful place is in the scheme of human history. There is really no such place called the Middle East—the so-called nation of Palestine/Israel was originally part of North East Africa. Ben Ammi of the Original Hebrew Israelite nation stated, "Prior to the excavation of the Suez Canal (1859-69) the entire Arabian Peninsula and what has become known today as the 'Middle East' were connected with the African continent. African people lived and moved freely throughout this region of the world. After the invasions of the Romans in 70 C.E. remnants of the Hebrew Israelites were driven from Jerusalem. For more than 1,000 years many of them migrated across the continent eventually reaching West Africa."
The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, one of my teachers, was a master teacher he taught serious lessons on the origin of Freemasonry and gave clear evidence of the reality of God and the Devil. This writer wrote an over 11,000 word research treatise titled, "Freemasonry (Moslem Sons) and Islam: What do They Share?" And he used the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad to shed light along with other authorities on this little known connection of high degree Masonry (Shrine Masonry) and its so-called relationship to the religion of Islam. This research by far still remains as one of the most popular pieces that this writer has ever written.
The Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the ‘Supreme Wisdom’ lessons asked the Question: "Why did we take Jerusalem from the devil? How long ago? Answer: Because one of our righteous brothers who were a prophet by the name of Jesus was buried there. He uses his name to shield his dirty religion which is called Christianity, also to deceive the people so they will believe in him. Jesus teachings was not Christianity, it was Freedom, Justice and Equality. Jerusalem is a name given by the Jews, which means founded in peace and it was called Jebus, also Salem and Ariel. We took the city from the devils about seven hundred fifty years ago."
Muhammad was given 104 books to read by his teacher Master Fard Muhammad and one of the books was titled, "The Story of Mankind" by Hendrik Willem van Loon who gives a controversial account of the history of the the Knights Templar. Can we logically and historically make the definitive announcement that the present day Middle East conflict (the so-called West versus East) is a continuation of the Crusades—Islam and Christianity is at war but the real war is between Illuminati Jew (he hides behind the ignorant Christian) and Islam, which these bloody wars never ended? Do the Palestinians (Arab Muslim) and the so-called Israeli (Jew) are somehow representative of the warrior class known as the Knights Templar.
Why under the York Rite Degrees—Royal Arch Masonic degrees is so coveted and the "real word" of Freemasonry is shrouded and disguised until a Master Mason is elevated in the "red house" properly defined as the Royal Arch degrees of Mark Master, Past Master Most Excellent Master, and eventually elevated to the degree of Knight's Templar Commandery on the York Rite side? Then only is he given the so-called "real word" which to temporary replaces the substitute word he received during his Master Mason raising.
In the 33rd degree ritual there is a set of questions and answers given in the Sovereign Grand Inspector General ritual work. Question: Are you a Sovereign Grand Inspector General? Answer: Very Prussiant Sovereign, my virtue, courage and zeal have procured this distinguish rank. Question: How can I know you to be a Sovereign Grand Inspector General? Answer: By my giving you the pass Word. Question: Begin. Answer: Jacques de Molay. Question: Hiram Abiff. Answer: 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. Question: For what purpose? Answer: To regulate our hatred and our campaigns against the knights of Malta, to guide our zeal and our efforts in proper channels and direct our undertakings.
Question: What is the cause of the hatred and enmity that you have sworn against the Knight of Malta. Answer: After the destruction of the majority of Knights Templar by Philippe the Fair, in cooperation with Pope Clement V, their rich possessions were assigned to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, now Knights of Malta, of Island of Malta, which is one of our possessions, in addition to several other places in the Mediterranean which they have refused to make restitution of that which was wrested from us by injustice and cruelty. In consequence we determine to regain them by force, when our Order has sufficient numerical strength to undertake the enterprise or nobly perish in the attempt. Question: Is this the only reason for which the king of Prussia established this degree?
Answer: There is another. The King foreseeing that his death was not too far distant determined to establish a Supreme Council of Grand Inspectors General to which he could commit the supreme power over the Masonic Order with which it has been reinvested, which after his death might govern the Grand Body, agreeable to certain statues he established for the purpose and to lead it to battle should it become strong enough. Each nation is independent, one over the other, in civil government he believed they should possess a high Masonic Court from which there could be no appeal. This political set being agreeable to each government, no jealously could exist in the Order. This Grand body should increase rapidly and the great aim of the Order accomplished. Question: What else did you see on entering the Council? Answer: I saw in the East a five branched candlestick, in the West one of three branches, in the North one of one branch and in the South one of two branches. Question: What does it mean? Answer: In arranging this number of lights, the make up 5321, the Masonic year in which the order was
destroyed…” (Reference: Kessinger Publishing Company; “Secret Ritual of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree—Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry pgs.17-18).
York Rite Masonry has a Christian warrior theme, as far as its philosophy and ritual. Van Loon describes it this way: "Therefore, at the Council of Clermont in France in the year of 1095 the pope arose, described the horrors which the infidel Muslims had inflicted upon the Holy Land, gave a glowing description of this country which even the days of Moses had been overflowing with milk and honey, and exhorted the Knights of France and people of Europe in general to leave wife and child and deliver Palestine from the Turks (Muslims). A wave of religious hysteria swept across the continent. All reason stopped. Men would drop their hammers and saws and walk out of their shops and take the nearest road to the East to go and kill Turks. Children would leave their homes to go to Palestine and bring the terrible Turks to their knees by mere appeal of their youthful zeal and piety" (Reference: Hendrik van Loon: "The Story of Mankind"; pg 101).
The Royal Arch degrees (York Rite) in Freemasonry borrowed some the history, philosophy, folklore, etc., from the historical Knights Templar which was eventually adopted and formulated in Gnostics and esoterically Masonic rituals; which was design to teach certain moral lessons under the Masonic philosophical school of thought known as Speculative Masonry. Although, Freemasonry is considered a secular organization there is a intertwined of biblical and Christian theology, which under girds the foundation of Royal Arch Masonry. This in one sense poses a contradiction because of the Christian overtone associated with these degrees styled as defenders of the Cross. Many Christian Masons of course do not see or view the Royal Arch degrees as perhaps somewhat infringing upon the non-religious charter that is suppose to be the benchmark of Masonry. One writer stated, "York Rite Masonry is the Christian Route of Masonry following the teaching of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who said,’ Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdon of Heaven" (Reference Rev. G. Oliver; “A Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry, Including the Royal Arch Degrees).
But what is interesting, the Freemasonic Knights Templar degree is equivalent to the Scottish Rite Thirty Second (32nd) degree Mason—styled as Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, which both the Knights Templar (York Rite) and Master of the Royal Secret/Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret (degree names varies from northern and southern Masonic jurisdictions) leads to the Mystic Shrine. This body of Masons are officially named the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (this is the African-American Mystic Shrine founded in 1893; the Caucasian shriners call themselves the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine founded in 1876). But what is interesting about the degree structure is that the Knights Templar more so than not voluntarily petitions the Mystic Shrine (Islamic theoretical Masonry) initiated and introduced into the Mystic Shrine (pseudo Islam), which unequivocally has an Islamic ritualistic theme. What are the Freemasons telling and revealing in its ritual, as far as perhaps given us a glimpse into the historical pact (crossing of the sword and cross) that took place between the Muslims and the Christian Knights Templar over 1,000 years ago at Jerusalem allowing Muslims and Christians safe passages to the Holy Land? (Reference: John Robinson; “Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry).
This writer in his article titled, "King Solomon's Temple: The Basis of Freemasonry" explores that intellectual angle, here is an exert from that research which answers in part the inquisitiveness that the three faith traditions, as well as the Freemasons have relative to the Holy City of Jerusalem: " The Honorable Elijah Muhammad teaches that in the House of Omar is where the true body and tomb of Yeshua Bin Yosef (Jesus—7-127 A.D.) is housed. Muhammad also maintained that the Vatican, the Pope of Roman, and the High Imams in Jerusalem have an agreed pact with Freemasonry (this writer is not referring to your average rank and file Scottish Rite, York Rite members or my brothers of Prince Hall Order of Free and Accepted Masons). But a monetary fee is paid to the Pope and the Pope issues the Masonic Brother a traveling pass that is honored by the Imams of Al-Aqsa Mosque who in turn allow the Freemasons to physically see the well preserved body of Isa bin Yusuf (Jesus, the son of Joseph). (Reference: Nasir Makr Hakim: “The True History of Master Fard Muhammad” pg. 71-93).Elijah Muhammad stated, "His body lies in a tomb in such manner that it reflects in four directions. This was done to keep the enemies from knowing just what direction the real body is laying. No Christian is allowed to see the body, unless they pay a price of $6,000 and must get a certificate from the Pope of Rome. The Tomb is guarded by Muslims. When Christians are allowed to see Jesus' body, they stripped of weapons, handcuffed behind their backs, and well-armed Muslims guards take them into the tomb. But, they leave the House of Omar without a doubt that the images portrayed of Isa Bin Yusuf (Jesus) are false and many learn for the first time that Isa Ben Yusuf (Jesus) was an original man. Muslims, the brothers of Jesus can go to see his body at anytime without charge." (Reference: Malachi Z. York; pg 289)
Muhammad taught and wrote that "When Joseph heard of his son Jesus' death he came and got the body from the authorities. He secured some Egyptian embalmers to embalm the body to last 10,000 years. Joseph wanted the body to last as long as the earth (petrified) but was not able to pay for such embalmment. The Egyptian embalmers put the body into a glass tube filled with a certain chemical (known only to Egyptian embalmers) that will keep one's body looking the same as when it died, that is if they get the body at a certain time, for many thousands of years--as long as no air is allowed to enter the tube that the body is in. They buried the body in the old city, Jerusalem." (Reference: Malachi Z. York; "The Problem Book", which York compiled scattered Nation of Islam lessons given to Elijah Muhammad by W.F. Muhammad. This book contributes to the Original Five Percent Nation of Gods and Earth; pg. 288).
Ironic the Knights Templar had the responsibility of guarding and protecting pilgrims travel routes from the ancient port of Jaffa off the coast of Palestine to Jerusalem. Thus, according to the legend of Hiram Abiff this was also one of the principle escape routes attempted to be used by the would-be three conspirators (Ruffians) who conspired and committed murder of the Grand Master Hiram Abiff. But was denied exit because they lacked the proper passwords, tokens and signs (no different than today trying to enter a sovereign nation, as far as crossing borders without a passport or visa) the necessary traveling documents required by international governments is often prohibited.
The author Malcolm Duncan in his Masonic monitor (this Masonic monitor is used more by clandestine Masons and is not approved by duly chartered Grand Lodges) titled, "Duncan Ritual of Freemasonry" stated, "Most Worshipful King Solomon, I, being one of those who pursued a westerly, coming down near the port of Joppa, met a seafaring man, of whom I inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way; he informed me that he had--three--who from their appearance were workman from the Temple, seeking passage to Ethiopia, but not having King Solomon's pass, were not able to obtain one, and returned back into the country."
Even during the time of Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (570 AD-632 AD) may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him in 615 AD when his own Tribesmen the Quraish and others posed serious opposition to his new teachings of Islam in Saudi Arabia; he sent his followers to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) for safety and away from persecution. Islam perhaps survived as a religion due to the compassion, power and justice being exercised by these black Nubian Coptic Christians toward other oppressed humanity. (Reference: Muhammad Husayn Haykak, “The Life of Muhammad”)
The York Rite (Christian Masonic Rite) styled as the Knight's Templar degree is obligated and mandated upon petition to enter into the Mystic Shrine and is required to take an Islamic obligation that is based partially on the Muslim Holy Qur'an and poor remnants of Islamic history. The majority of Mystic Shrine Potentates and Royal Arch High Priest do not have the knowledge or the historical understanding of the rituals they practice and teach. Send them to me, so I can give them the life giving teachings. We have written on various angles as it pertains to this controversial and complex topic and it remains a non-exhaustive topic called Freemasonry. This writer on June 11, 2008 just completed an article titled, "King Solomon's Temple: The Basis of Freemasonry" in which ties into the Knights Templar. Thus, my contention was that without the legend and mythology associated with King Solomon's Temple and Mount Moriah in Jerusalem the philosophical (Speculative) foundation Freemasonry would struggle to exist as a fraternity and Rite. (Reference: Alan Butler and Stephen Dafoe; “The Knights Templar Revealed’).
Both sides of Masonry—Scottish Rite and York Rite Masonry are heavily interdependent upon the mysteries, legend and mythology associated with King Solomon's Temple that was built on the Holy Land of Jerusalem at Mount Moriah, which is where Christians and some Jews believe, is the site were God's Ark of Covenant took place and where Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments from Yahweh (God). Dr. Yosef Ben A. A. Jochannan who authored the book titled, "Black man of the Nile and his Family," teaches us that these so-called Ten Commandments were taking from a much larger scroll in Kemet (Egypt) called Forty-Two (42) Negative Confessions; Moses borrowed ten of them from the Egyptian Mystery Schools. The Kemites (Egyptians) were practicing the principles of Maat (justice, harmony, balance, equilibrium, etc) long before the biblical prophets; the concept of Monotheism was first developed in ancient Kemet (Egypt) and then given to the world. (Reference: Yosef Ben A. A. Jochannan; "The Black man of the Nile and his Family).
In Islam Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Upon Him) ascended to heaven from Mount Moriah in Jerusalem and within the religion of Islam, Jerusalem is considered the third holiest city in Islam. The first question that is posed to an Entered Apprentice (first degree) Mason is; whence came you? answer: From the lodge of the Holy Saints John of Jerusalem. This Celestial and terrestrial lodge is represented by the teachings and historical representation of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. All Masons take time out to honor St. Johns Day (the two biblical personalities).
E.R. Johnston on the Mosque or House of Omar ... the Noble Sanctuary. He stated: "This splendid edifice on MountMariah covers a portion of the space once occupied by the more brilliant Temple. It is believed to have commenced by the Caliph Omar the first of that name and father-in-law of Mohammed, between the years 638 and 664, and very much enlarged, beautified and enriched, in fact, quite rebuilt by the Caliph Abd-el Melek, in 686. It was seven years in building: the Muslims believe it to stand over the rock on which Jacob was sleeping when he saw the vision of the heavenly ladder, but it is still more sacred to them (Muslims), as to us (Christian and Jews) from having been the sacred rock beneath the alter of Solomon's Temple, whereon the daily sacrifice was offered." (Reference: E.R. Johnston; "Masonry Defined" pg. 364).
This also is the site where God commanded and instructed Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son, as this writer stated in the article titled, "King Solomon's Temple: The Basis of Freemasonry" the Judeo-Christian theological version tells us that Abraham's son Isaac was chosen by God for sacrifice, but in Islam, the faith of the Muslims, they believe that it was Abraham's son Ishmael that was up for sacrifice (the lineage from the slave woman Hagar—Arabs). Abraham is known as the Father of many nations. This theological difference between Judeo-Christian and Islam leads to the root of all the discrepancies that exist in the Middle East today between the Palestinian Arabs and the Israeli-Jew. (Reference: Jose V. Malcioln; “The African Origins of Modern Judaism: From Hebrews to Jews”).
In the Bible as this writer just previously stated Abraham is called the father of nations. Thus, Abraham had two sons, Isaac and Ishmael according to both the Bible (Judeo-Christian) and the Holy Qur’an (Islam/Muslim). What people fail to understand about this present day conflict in Palestine is that it’s a theological conflict shrouded in political terms. Who are the rightful owners of this land deemed sacred by all three faith traditions? Historically the Muslims and Christians have fought at least ten (10) Crusades (eight is a more accepted number by historians) all over the Holy Land.
In the Masonic Bible, which is the standard King James Version, but has been uniquely prepared and heavily referenced with Freemasonic history, philosophy and Masonic theological explanation; the section is titled, "Progressive Steps in Masonry." It appears that a sizable amount of this information was extracted from Albert Pike's monumental work titled,” Morals and Dogma" and the greatest secret in Masonry, is that there is no secret; thus, this information is open to all who desire to pursue this knowledge. Malcolm Duncan quoting a Masonic writer named Stone stated, "The essentials secrets of Masonry consist of nothing more than the signs, grips, pass-words, and tokens, essential to the preservation of the society from the inroads of imposters; together with certain symbolical emblems, the technical terms appertaining to which served as a sort of universal language, by which the members of the fraternity could distinguish each other, in all places and countries where Lodges were instituted.
It further stated, "One reason why you are urged to become affiliated with the York Rite is that the world is today in greater need of the Order of Knights Templar than were the heroic crusades of the twelfth century. There is more at stake, more to save. You will find in the precepts of this institution a renewed conviction that right must prevail, that oppression, by any class whatsoever, is wrong and incompatible with Christian thought. Is still combines a RELIGIOUS and MILITANT SPIRIT, and is pledged to defend those principles and ideals upon which civilization is based."
We know that King Solomon's Temple was destroyed and perhaps rebuilt at least three different times throughout human history. Mount Moriah in Jerusalem today is the site of Al-Asqa Mosque, which was the original site where the once legendary King Solomon's Temple stood. The Knights Templar were a military order and some believed their primary mission was to protect the traveling Jewish and Christian pilgrims who made pilgrimages to the Holy City of Jerusalem, the great religious Temple (Dome of the Rock). Also, the their was a legend that buried beneath the destroyed King Solomon’s Temple was untold treasures that was acquired by King David and passed on to his son King Solomon. Moreover, the Catholic Church and the Christians were quite aware of this allege wealth—this was the fuel that ignited the fire between the Muslims and the Christians.
There is no doubt during Europe's Dark Ages and the Medieval Period rose Islam. In a book authored by Willis Huggins and John G. Jackson titled, "A Guide to Studies in African History" stated, "The first light that burst in upon the long night of Europe's Dark Ages and heralded the dawn of a new day was Moorish Spain and from their Saracen comrades who had settled in Sicily and Italy. In the words of Harold Peake, the English scientific " The Moorish General Tarik Ibn Zaid in 711 AD was responsible for spreading Islam from North Africa to the borders of southern France, as well as advancing culture and civilization. The Moors took high levels of architecture science, cartography, civil engineering, maritime science, medicine, construction trades, etc. to Europe. (Reference: Marilyn Hopkins; The Enigma of the Knights Templar).
Jackson and Huggins further stated, “The Moors built magnificent cities. Cordova in the Tenth Century was much like a modern city. The streets were paved. There were raised sidewalks for pedestrians. At night ‘one could travel for ten miles by the light of lamps along the uninterrupted extent of buildings. This was several hundred years before there was a paved street in Paris or a street-lamp in London. The population of the city was over one-million (1,000, 000). There were 200, 000 homes, 800 public schools, many colleges and universities, 10,000 palaces of the wealthy besides many royal palaces, surrounded by beautiful gardens. The Palace of the Khalifs was surrounded by beautiful gardens, had 15,000 doors, a central hall supported by columns of marble and rock crystal decorated with precious stones and covered with a roof of gold and silver.” (Reference: John G. Jackson and Willis N. Huggins; “A Guide to Studies in African History” pg. 49).
Thus, contrary to belief Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) perhaps never left the Arabian Peninsula, in which western historians maintained that Muhammad conquered mass territories due to the power of the sword. This was mere Eurocentric fabrication aimed at discrediting Islam. It was Muhammad's (PBUH) cousin and son-in-law Ali Ibn Talib's two sons that took the religion of Islam beyond the Arabian peninsula. (Reference: Arkon Daraul; “Secret Societies: A History).
There is Christian minister named Reverend Jeremiah Cummings whom I consider a friend who pastor’s a church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a former Minister in the Nation of Islam under Minister Louis Farrakhan in Dallas, Texas. He left the Nation of Islam and returned to Christianity, I believe this was a personal and spiritual decision. But Reverend Cummings has done a series of lectures and sermons dealing with the seed of Abraham; in particular explaining the biblical and historical linage of Isaac and Ishmael, the so-called Arab and Jew. This writer viewed a youtube clip of a sit down discussion between Bishop Eddie Long (out of Atlanta, Georgia) and Reverend Cummings (and although Bishop Long is a well respected clergyman in the African American community, he lacks the knowledge of self). However, this writer disagrees with Reverend Cummings final conclusions, which is aimed at translating the Holy Bible into the Arabic language with an objective of converting Muslims to Christianity.
Reverend Cummings prior to his Christian conversion and religious transition had visited Dimona, Israel in 1991 as a guest of Ben Ammi and is his book titled, “From Gold to Glory” stated, “I could not wait to see the city that the Messiah of 2,000 years ago walked through, and the city that the Prophet Muhammad ascended from. I could not wait to see the beautiful Dome on the Rock. I could not wait to remove my slippers and walk barefoot in the Holy City of God. . .Later, I found out from Minister Farrakhan that Jerusalem was the original city of the pilgrimage of the Muslims. Mecca and Jerusalem will again be the original place in our time. Muslims and Hebrews of African descent will return to the Holy City of David and Abraham. Even if you go to Saudi Arabia, you are still home in Africa. All of it is Africa.” (Reference: Jeremiah Cummings; “From Gold to Glory” pg. 71).
The Masonic author E.R. Johnston in his book titled, "Masonry Defined" stated, "The theory that Masonry originated in the Holy Land during the Crusades, and was instituted by the Knights Templar, was first advanced by the Chevalier Ramsay for the purpose, it is supposed of giving an aristocratic character to the association. It was subsequently adopted by the College, and was accepted by the Baron von Hund as the basis upon which he erected his Rite of Strict Observance. The legend of the Clermont is thus detailed by M. Berage in his work entitled, Les Plus Secrets Mysteres des Hauts Grades (iii, 194). The Order of Masonry was instituted by Godfrey de Bouillion, in Palestine in 1330, after the defeat of the Christian armies, and was communicated only to a few of the French Masons, sometime afterwards, as a reward for the services which they had rendered to the English and Scottish Knights. From these latter true Masonry is derived. Their Mother Lodge is situated on the mountain of Heredom, where the first Lodge in Europe was held, which still exists in all its splendor. The Council General is always held there, and it is the seat of the Sovereign Grand Master for the time being. The mountain is situated between the west and north of Scotland, sixty miles from Edinburgh” (Reference: College of Clermont Reference: E.R. Johnston; “Masonry Defined" pgs. 823-824).
Lastly, the history of the Knights Templar and the Crusades is at the root of issues that faces humanity today, in particular in the Middle East—the conflict between the Arab Palestinians and the Israeli Jew both laying claim to the nation of Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem, which was no different than it was 1,000 years ago. The Freemasons in its High Degree rituals are acting out this history in allegorical and symbolical terms because they know and are anticipating that the Sovereign Grand Inspector Generals (The Covert Knights Templar) will be called to once again defend the Cross and honor those historical solemn obligations that their past brothers fought so gallantly to protect in their 200 year war with the Muslims of the East for the rights to occupy Jerusalem. In the 33rd Degree obligation the candidate must state: “I _______, Knight Kadosh, and Prince of the Royal Secret, solemnly pledge my sacred word of honor, swear sincerely and promise on the Holy Word of the eternal, who is very merciful, sovereign, powerful and the Supreme Architect of Heaven and Earth, in the presences of whom, as well as the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree here assembled, that I will never directly or indirectly reveal the secrets and mysteries of the sublime degree which I am about to receive, nor any of those which I have received, except to an equal Sovereign Grand Inspector General who has likewise lawfully received it.”
The United Supreme Council of 33rd Degree Masons perhaps know that the Middle East conflict today is a continuation of the Crusades and understand that they have a divine obligation to avenge the death of Grand Master Hiram Abiff who died a horrid death at the hands of three traitors. Yes, this resentment between Islam and Christianity is a cold war that is the basis of the antagonism that exists between the East and West. The Knights Templar were never disbanded but these religious soldiers took shield behind many Orders—religious, political, civic, fraternal, governmental structures, etc., but are better organized in 2008 than they were 1,000 years ago.
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
By Fahim A. Knight-EL
Who are the rightful owners and landlords of the Holy City of Jerusalem in which centuries of blood shed has been spilled? Does this land belong to the Jews, Christians, Muslims, and/or the Freemasons? These are the most essential questions to be solved—the rightful owners and their heir apparent is at the root of the so-called Jew (Israeli) and Muslim (Arab) conflict in the Middle East today in 2008. Both of these ethnic groups are imposters (Khazars/Ashkenazi and Semites) and are fighting over land and territory that belongs to neither.
This article in part came about due to many conversations this writer had with a gentleman named Nick Galanti who is a historian and curator out of South Carolina and the owner of the website http://templedc.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2 in which most Freemasons and non-Masons may find intriguing. This writer was hired by Galanti (a feisty Italian), to do some research but found his knowledge base to be extensive in an area he passionately calls the “ORDER”. I will not reveal the extent and depth of our intellectual interactions, but I will say Galanti was on to something with far reaching philosophical implications. This writer invites those who are in search of knowledge and alternative philosophical viewpoints to visit http://templedc.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=2
The original man was robbed of his land and the knowledge of self and even he does not know what his rightful place is in the scheme of human history. There is really no such place called the Middle East—the so-called nation of Palestine/Israel was originally part of North East Africa. Ben Ammi of the Original Hebrew Israelite nation stated, "Prior to the excavation of the Suez Canal (1859-69) the entire Arabian Peninsula and what has become known today as the 'Middle East' were connected with the African continent. African people lived and moved freely throughout this region of the world. After the invasions of the Romans in 70 C.E. remnants of the Hebrew Israelites were driven from Jerusalem. For more than 1,000 years many of them migrated across the continent eventually reaching West Africa."
The Honorable Elijah Muhammad, one of my teachers, was a master teacher he taught serious lessons on the origin of Freemasonry and gave clear evidence of the reality of God and the Devil. This writer wrote an over 11,000 word research treatise titled, "Freemasonry (Moslem Sons) and Islam: What do They Share?" And he used the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad to shed light along with other authorities on this little known connection of high degree Masonry (Shrine Masonry) and its so-called relationship to the religion of Islam. This research by far still remains as one of the most popular pieces that this writer has ever written.
The Honorable Elijah Muhammad in the ‘Supreme Wisdom’ lessons asked the Question: "Why did we take Jerusalem from the devil? How long ago? Answer: Because one of our righteous brothers who were a prophet by the name of Jesus was buried there. He uses his name to shield his dirty religion which is called Christianity, also to deceive the people so they will believe in him. Jesus teachings was not Christianity, it was Freedom, Justice and Equality. Jerusalem is a name given by the Jews, which means founded in peace and it was called Jebus, also Salem and Ariel. We took the city from the devils about seven hundred fifty years ago."
Muhammad was given 104 books to read by his teacher Master Fard Muhammad and one of the books was titled, "The Story of Mankind" by Hendrik Willem van Loon who gives a controversial account of the history of the the Knights Templar. Can we logically and historically make the definitive announcement that the present day Middle East conflict (the so-called West versus East) is a continuation of the Crusades—Islam and Christianity is at war but the real war is between Illuminati Jew (he hides behind the ignorant Christian) and Islam, which these bloody wars never ended? Do the Palestinians (Arab Muslim) and the so-called Israeli (Jew) are somehow representative of the warrior class known as the Knights Templar.
Why under the York Rite Degrees—Royal Arch Masonic degrees is so coveted and the "real word" of Freemasonry is shrouded and disguised until a Master Mason is elevated in the "red house" properly defined as the Royal Arch degrees of Mark Master, Past Master Most Excellent Master, and eventually elevated to the degree of Knight's Templar Commandery on the York Rite side? Then only is he given the so-called "real word" which to temporary replaces the substitute word he received during his Master Mason raising.
In the 33rd degree ritual there is a set of questions and answers given in the Sovereign Grand Inspector General ritual work. Question: Are you a Sovereign Grand Inspector General? Answer: Very Prussiant Sovereign, my virtue, courage and zeal have procured this distinguish rank. Question: How can I know you to be a Sovereign Grand Inspector General? Answer: By my giving you the pass Word. Question: Begin. Answer: Jacques de Molay. Question: Hiram Abiff. Answer: 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. Question: For what purpose? Answer: To regulate our hatred and our campaigns against the knights of Malta, to guide our zeal and our efforts in proper channels and direct our undertakings.
Question: What is the cause of the hatred and enmity that you have sworn against the Knight of Malta. Answer: After the destruction of the majority of Knights Templar by Philippe the Fair, in cooperation with Pope Clement V, their rich possessions were assigned to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, now Knights of Malta, of Island of Malta, which is one of our possessions, in addition to several other places in the Mediterranean which they have refused to make restitution of that which was wrested from us by injustice and cruelty. In consequence we determine to regain them by force, when our Order has sufficient numerical strength to undertake the enterprise or nobly perish in the attempt. Question: Is this the only reason for which the king of Prussia established this degree?
Answer: There is another. The King foreseeing that his death was not too far distant determined to establish a Supreme Council of Grand Inspectors General to which he could commit the supreme power over the Masonic Order with which it has been reinvested, which after his death might govern the Grand Body, agreeable to certain statues he established for the purpose and to lead it to battle should it become strong enough. Each nation is independent, one over the other, in civil government he believed they should possess a high Masonic Court from which there could be no appeal. This political set being agreeable to each government, no jealously could exist in the Order. This Grand body should increase rapidly and the great aim of the Order accomplished. Question: What else did you see on entering the Council? Answer: I saw in the East a five branched candlestick, in the West one of three branches, in the North one of one branch and in the South one of two branches. Question: What does it mean? Answer: In arranging this number of lights, the make up 5321, the Masonic year in which the order was
destroyed…” (Reference: Kessinger Publishing Company; “Secret Ritual of the Thirty-Third and Last Degree—Sovereign Grand Inspector General of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry pgs.17-18).
York Rite Masonry has a Christian warrior theme, as far as its philosophy and ritual. Van Loon describes it this way: "Therefore, at the Council of Clermont in France in the year of 1095 the pope arose, described the horrors which the infidel Muslims had inflicted upon the Holy Land, gave a glowing description of this country which even the days of Moses had been overflowing with milk and honey, and exhorted the Knights of France and people of Europe in general to leave wife and child and deliver Palestine from the Turks (Muslims). A wave of religious hysteria swept across the continent. All reason stopped. Men would drop their hammers and saws and walk out of their shops and take the nearest road to the East to go and kill Turks. Children would leave their homes to go to Palestine and bring the terrible Turks to their knees by mere appeal of their youthful zeal and piety" (Reference: Hendrik van Loon: "The Story of Mankind"; pg 101).
The Royal Arch degrees (York Rite) in Freemasonry borrowed some the history, philosophy, folklore, etc., from the historical Knights Templar which was eventually adopted and formulated in Gnostics and esoterically Masonic rituals; which was design to teach certain moral lessons under the Masonic philosophical school of thought known as Speculative Masonry. Although, Freemasonry is considered a secular organization there is a intertwined of biblical and Christian theology, which under girds the foundation of Royal Arch Masonry. This in one sense poses a contradiction because of the Christian overtone associated with these degrees styled as defenders of the Cross. Many Christian Masons of course do not see or view the Royal Arch degrees as perhaps somewhat infringing upon the non-religious charter that is suppose to be the benchmark of Masonry. One writer stated, "York Rite Masonry is the Christian Route of Masonry following the teaching of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who said,’ Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdon of Heaven" (Reference Rev. G. Oliver; “A Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry, Including the Royal Arch Degrees).
But what is interesting, the Freemasonic Knights Templar degree is equivalent to the Scottish Rite Thirty Second (32nd) degree Mason—styled as Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, which both the Knights Templar (York Rite) and Master of the Royal Secret/Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret (degree names varies from northern and southern Masonic jurisdictions) leads to the Mystic Shrine. This body of Masons are officially named the Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (this is the African-American Mystic Shrine founded in 1893; the Caucasian shriners call themselves the Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine founded in 1876). But what is interesting about the degree structure is that the Knights Templar more so than not voluntarily petitions the Mystic Shrine (Islamic theoretical Masonry) initiated and introduced into the Mystic Shrine (pseudo Islam), which unequivocally has an Islamic ritualistic theme. What are the Freemasons telling and revealing in its ritual, as far as perhaps given us a glimpse into the historical pact (crossing of the sword and cross) that took place between the Muslims and the Christian Knights Templar over 1,000 years ago at Jerusalem allowing Muslims and Christians safe passages to the Holy Land? (Reference: John Robinson; “Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry).
This writer in his article titled, "King Solomon's Temple: The Basis of Freemasonry" explores that intellectual angle, here is an exert from that research which answers in part the inquisitiveness that the three faith traditions, as well as the Freemasons have relative to the Holy City of Jerusalem: " The Honorable Elijah Muhammad teaches that in the House of Omar is where the true body and tomb of Yeshua Bin Yosef (Jesus—7-127 A.D.) is housed. Muhammad also maintained that the Vatican, the Pope of Roman, and the High Imams in Jerusalem have an agreed pact with Freemasonry (this writer is not referring to your average rank and file Scottish Rite, York Rite members or my brothers of Prince Hall Order of Free and Accepted Masons). But a monetary fee is paid to the Pope and the Pope issues the Masonic Brother a traveling pass that is honored by the Imams of Al-Aqsa Mosque who in turn allow the Freemasons to physically see the well preserved body of Isa bin Yusuf (Jesus, the son of Joseph). (Reference: Nasir Makr Hakim: “The True History of Master Fard Muhammad” pg. 71-93).Elijah Muhammad stated, "His body lies in a tomb in such manner that it reflects in four directions. This was done to keep the enemies from knowing just what direction the real body is laying. No Christian is allowed to see the body, unless they pay a price of $6,000 and must get a certificate from the Pope of Rome. The Tomb is guarded by Muslims. When Christians are allowed to see Jesus' body, they stripped of weapons, handcuffed behind their backs, and well-armed Muslims guards take them into the tomb. But, they leave the House of Omar without a doubt that the images portrayed of Isa Bin Yusuf (Jesus) are false and many learn for the first time that Isa Ben Yusuf (Jesus) was an original man. Muslims, the brothers of Jesus can go to see his body at anytime without charge." (Reference: Malachi Z. York; pg 289)
Muhammad taught and wrote that "When Joseph heard of his son Jesus' death he came and got the body from the authorities. He secured some Egyptian embalmers to embalm the body to last 10,000 years. Joseph wanted the body to last as long as the earth (petrified) but was not able to pay for such embalmment. The Egyptian embalmers put the body into a glass tube filled with a certain chemical (known only to Egyptian embalmers) that will keep one's body looking the same as when it died, that is if they get the body at a certain time, for many thousands of years--as long as no air is allowed to enter the tube that the body is in. They buried the body in the old city, Jerusalem." (Reference: Malachi Z. York; "The Problem Book", which York compiled scattered Nation of Islam lessons given to Elijah Muhammad by W.F. Muhammad. This book contributes to the Original Five Percent Nation of Gods and Earth; pg. 288).
Ironic the Knights Templar had the responsibility of guarding and protecting pilgrims travel routes from the ancient port of Jaffa off the coast of Palestine to Jerusalem. Thus, according to the legend of Hiram Abiff this was also one of the principle escape routes attempted to be used by the would-be three conspirators (Ruffians) who conspired and committed murder of the Grand Master Hiram Abiff. But was denied exit because they lacked the proper passwords, tokens and signs (no different than today trying to enter a sovereign nation, as far as crossing borders without a passport or visa) the necessary traveling documents required by international governments is often prohibited.
The author Malcolm Duncan in his Masonic monitor (this Masonic monitor is used more by clandestine Masons and is not approved by duly chartered Grand Lodges) titled, "Duncan Ritual of Freemasonry" stated, "Most Worshipful King Solomon, I, being one of those who pursued a westerly, coming down near the port of Joppa, met a seafaring man, of whom I inquired if he had seen any strangers pass that way; he informed me that he had--three--who from their appearance were workman from the Temple, seeking passage to Ethiopia, but not having King Solomon's pass, were not able to obtain one, and returned back into the country."
Even during the time of Prophet Muhammad Ibn Abdullah (570 AD-632 AD) may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him in 615 AD when his own Tribesmen the Quraish and others posed serious opposition to his new teachings of Islam in Saudi Arabia; he sent his followers to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) for safety and away from persecution. Islam perhaps survived as a religion due to the compassion, power and justice being exercised by these black Nubian Coptic Christians toward other oppressed humanity. (Reference: Muhammad Husayn Haykak, “The Life of Muhammad”)
The York Rite (Christian Masonic Rite) styled as the Knight's Templar degree is obligated and mandated upon petition to enter into the Mystic Shrine and is required to take an Islamic obligation that is based partially on the Muslim Holy Qur'an and poor remnants of Islamic history. The majority of Mystic Shrine Potentates and Royal Arch High Priest do not have the knowledge or the historical understanding of the rituals they practice and teach. Send them to me, so I can give them the life giving teachings. We have written on various angles as it pertains to this controversial and complex topic and it remains a non-exhaustive topic called Freemasonry. This writer on June 11, 2008 just completed an article titled, "King Solomon's Temple: The Basis of Freemasonry" in which ties into the Knights Templar. Thus, my contention was that without the legend and mythology associated with King Solomon's Temple and Mount Moriah in Jerusalem the philosophical (Speculative) foundation Freemasonry would struggle to exist as a fraternity and Rite. (Reference: Alan Butler and Stephen Dafoe; “The Knights Templar Revealed’).
Both sides of Masonry—Scottish Rite and York Rite Masonry are heavily interdependent upon the mysteries, legend and mythology associated with King Solomon's Temple that was built on the Holy Land of Jerusalem at Mount Moriah, which is where Christians and some Jews believe, is the site were God's Ark of Covenant took place and where Prophet Moses received the Ten Commandments from Yahweh (God). Dr. Yosef Ben A. A. Jochannan who authored the book titled, "Black man of the Nile and his Family," teaches us that these so-called Ten Commandments were taking from a much larger scroll in Kemet (Egypt) called Forty-Two (42) Negative Confessions; Moses borrowed ten of them from the Egyptian Mystery Schools. The Kemites (Egyptians) were practicing the principles of Maat (justice, harmony, balance, equilibrium, etc) long before the biblical prophets; the concept of Monotheism was first developed in ancient Kemet (Egypt) and then given to the world. (Reference: Yosef Ben A. A. Jochannan; "The Black man of the Nile and his Family).
In Islam Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Upon Him) ascended to heaven from Mount Moriah in Jerusalem and within the religion of Islam, Jerusalem is considered the third holiest city in Islam. The first question that is posed to an Entered Apprentice (first degree) Mason is; whence came you? answer: From the lodge of the Holy Saints John of Jerusalem. This Celestial and terrestrial lodge is represented by the teachings and historical representation of Saint John the Baptist and Saint John the Evangelist. All Masons take time out to honor St. Johns Day (the two biblical personalities).
E.R. Johnston on the Mosque or House of Omar ... the Noble Sanctuary. He stated: "This splendid edifice on MountMariah covers a portion of the space once occupied by the more brilliant Temple. It is believed to have commenced by the Caliph Omar the first of that name and father-in-law of Mohammed, between the years 638 and 664, and very much enlarged, beautified and enriched, in fact, quite rebuilt by the Caliph Abd-el Melek, in 686. It was seven years in building: the Muslims believe it to stand over the rock on which Jacob was sleeping when he saw the vision of the heavenly ladder, but it is still more sacred to them (Muslims), as to us (Christian and Jews) from having been the sacred rock beneath the alter of Solomon's Temple, whereon the daily sacrifice was offered." (Reference: E.R. Johnston; "Masonry Defined" pg. 364).
This also is the site where God commanded and instructed Prophet Abraham to sacrifice his son, as this writer stated in the article titled, "King Solomon's Temple: The Basis of Freemasonry" the Judeo-Christian theological version tells us that Abraham's son Isaac was chosen by God for sacrifice, but in Islam, the faith of the Muslims, they believe that it was Abraham's son Ishmael that was up for sacrifice (the lineage from the slave woman Hagar—Arabs). Abraham is known as the Father of many nations. This theological difference between Judeo-Christian and Islam leads to the root of all the discrepancies that exist in the Middle East today between the Palestinian Arabs and the Israeli-Jew. (Reference: Jose V. Malcioln; “The African Origins of Modern Judaism: From Hebrews to Jews”).
In the Bible as this writer just previously stated Abraham is called the father of nations. Thus, Abraham had two sons, Isaac and Ishmael according to both the Bible (Judeo-Christian) and the Holy Qur’an (Islam/Muslim). What people fail to understand about this present day conflict in Palestine is that it’s a theological conflict shrouded in political terms. Who are the rightful owners of this land deemed sacred by all three faith traditions? Historically the Muslims and Christians have fought at least ten (10) Crusades (eight is a more accepted number by historians) all over the Holy Land.
In the Masonic Bible, which is the standard King James Version, but has been uniquely prepared and heavily referenced with Freemasonic history, philosophy and Masonic theological explanation; the section is titled, "Progressive Steps in Masonry." It appears that a sizable amount of this information was extracted from Albert Pike's monumental work titled,” Morals and Dogma" and the greatest secret in Masonry, is that there is no secret; thus, this information is open to all who desire to pursue this knowledge. Malcolm Duncan quoting a Masonic writer named Stone stated, "The essentials secrets of Masonry consist of nothing more than the signs, grips, pass-words, and tokens, essential to the preservation of the society from the inroads of imposters; together with certain symbolical emblems, the technical terms appertaining to which served as a sort of universal language, by which the members of the fraternity could distinguish each other, in all places and countries where Lodges were instituted.
It further stated, "One reason why you are urged to become affiliated with the York Rite is that the world is today in greater need of the Order of Knights Templar than were the heroic crusades of the twelfth century. There is more at stake, more to save. You will find in the precepts of this institution a renewed conviction that right must prevail, that oppression, by any class whatsoever, is wrong and incompatible with Christian thought. Is still combines a RELIGIOUS and MILITANT SPIRIT, and is pledged to defend those principles and ideals upon which civilization is based."
We know that King Solomon's Temple was destroyed and perhaps rebuilt at least three different times throughout human history. Mount Moriah in Jerusalem today is the site of Al-Asqa Mosque, which was the original site where the once legendary King Solomon's Temple stood. The Knights Templar were a military order and some believed their primary mission was to protect the traveling Jewish and Christian pilgrims who made pilgrimages to the Holy City of Jerusalem, the great religious Temple (Dome of the Rock). Also, the their was a legend that buried beneath the destroyed King Solomon’s Temple was untold treasures that was acquired by King David and passed on to his son King Solomon. Moreover, the Catholic Church and the Christians were quite aware of this allege wealth—this was the fuel that ignited the fire between the Muslims and the Christians.
There is no doubt during Europe's Dark Ages and the Medieval Period rose Islam. In a book authored by Willis Huggins and John G. Jackson titled, "A Guide to Studies in African History" stated, "The first light that burst in upon the long night of Europe's Dark Ages and heralded the dawn of a new day was Moorish Spain and from their Saracen comrades who had settled in Sicily and Italy. In the words of Harold Peake, the English scientific " The Moorish General Tarik Ibn Zaid in 711 AD was responsible for spreading Islam from North Africa to the borders of southern France, as well as advancing culture and civilization. The Moors took high levels of architecture science, cartography, civil engineering, maritime science, medicine, construction trades, etc. to Europe. (Reference: Marilyn Hopkins; The Enigma of the Knights Templar).
Jackson and Huggins further stated, “The Moors built magnificent cities. Cordova in the Tenth Century was much like a modern city. The streets were paved. There were raised sidewalks for pedestrians. At night ‘one could travel for ten miles by the light of lamps along the uninterrupted extent of buildings. This was several hundred years before there was a paved street in Paris or a street-lamp in London. The population of the city was over one-million (1,000, 000). There were 200, 000 homes, 800 public schools, many colleges and universities, 10,000 palaces of the wealthy besides many royal palaces, surrounded by beautiful gardens. The Palace of the Khalifs was surrounded by beautiful gardens, had 15,000 doors, a central hall supported by columns of marble and rock crystal decorated with precious stones and covered with a roof of gold and silver.” (Reference: John G. Jackson and Willis N. Huggins; “A Guide to Studies in African History” pg. 49).
Thus, contrary to belief Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) perhaps never left the Arabian Peninsula, in which western historians maintained that Muhammad conquered mass territories due to the power of the sword. This was mere Eurocentric fabrication aimed at discrediting Islam. It was Muhammad's (PBUH) cousin and son-in-law Ali Ibn Talib's two sons that took the religion of Islam beyond the Arabian peninsula. (Reference: Arkon Daraul; “Secret Societies: A History).
There is Christian minister named Reverend Jeremiah Cummings whom I consider a friend who pastor’s a church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was a former Minister in the Nation of Islam under Minister Louis Farrakhan in Dallas, Texas. He left the Nation of Islam and returned to Christianity, I believe this was a personal and spiritual decision. But Reverend Cummings has done a series of lectures and sermons dealing with the seed of Abraham; in particular explaining the biblical and historical linage of Isaac and Ishmael, the so-called Arab and Jew. This writer viewed a youtube clip of a sit down discussion between Bishop Eddie Long (out of Atlanta, Georgia) and Reverend Cummings (and although Bishop Long is a well respected clergyman in the African American community, he lacks the knowledge of self). However, this writer disagrees with Reverend Cummings final conclusions, which is aimed at translating the Holy Bible into the Arabic language with an objective of converting Muslims to Christianity.
Reverend Cummings prior to his Christian conversion and religious transition had visited Dimona, Israel in 1991 as a guest of Ben Ammi and is his book titled, “From Gold to Glory” stated, “I could not wait to see the city that the Messiah of 2,000 years ago walked through, and the city that the Prophet Muhammad ascended from. I could not wait to see the beautiful Dome on the Rock. I could not wait to remove my slippers and walk barefoot in the Holy City of God. . .Later, I found out from Minister Farrakhan that Jerusalem was the original city of the pilgrimage of the Muslims. Mecca and Jerusalem will again be the original place in our time. Muslims and Hebrews of African descent will return to the Holy City of David and Abraham. Even if you go to Saudi Arabia, you are still home in Africa. All of it is Africa.” (Reference: Jeremiah Cummings; “From Gold to Glory” pg. 71).
The Masonic author E.R. Johnston in his book titled, "Masonry Defined" stated, "The theory that Masonry originated in the Holy Land during the Crusades, and was instituted by the Knights Templar, was first advanced by the Chevalier Ramsay for the purpose, it is supposed of giving an aristocratic character to the association. It was subsequently adopted by the College, and was accepted by the Baron von Hund as the basis upon which he erected his Rite of Strict Observance. The legend of the Clermont is thus detailed by M. Berage in his work entitled, Les Plus Secrets Mysteres des Hauts Grades (iii, 194). The Order of Masonry was instituted by Godfrey de Bouillion, in Palestine in 1330, after the defeat of the Christian armies, and was communicated only to a few of the French Masons, sometime afterwards, as a reward for the services which they had rendered to the English and Scottish Knights. From these latter true Masonry is derived. Their Mother Lodge is situated on the mountain of Heredom, where the first Lodge in Europe was held, which still exists in all its splendor. The Council General is always held there, and it is the seat of the Sovereign Grand Master for the time being. The mountain is situated between the west and north of Scotland, sixty miles from Edinburgh” (Reference: College of Clermont Reference: E.R. Johnston; “Masonry Defined" pgs. 823-824).
Lastly, the history of the Knights Templar and the Crusades is at the root of issues that faces humanity today, in particular in the Middle East—the conflict between the Arab Palestinians and the Israeli Jew both laying claim to the nation of Israel and the holy city of Jerusalem, which was no different than it was 1,000 years ago. The Freemasons in its High Degree rituals are acting out this history in allegorical and symbolical terms because they know and are anticipating that the Sovereign Grand Inspector Generals (The Covert Knights Templar) will be called to once again defend the Cross and honor those historical solemn obligations that their past brothers fought so gallantly to protect in their 200 year war with the Muslims of the East for the rights to occupy Jerusalem. In the 33rd Degree obligation the candidate must state: “I _______, Knight Kadosh, and Prince of the Royal Secret, solemnly pledge my sacred word of honor, swear sincerely and promise on the Holy Word of the eternal, who is very merciful, sovereign, powerful and the Supreme Architect of Heaven and Earth, in the presences of whom, as well as the Supreme Council of the 33rd Degree here assembled, that I will never directly or indirectly reveal the secrets and mysteries of the sublime degree which I am about to receive, nor any of those which I have received, except to an equal Sovereign Grand Inspector General who has likewise lawfully received it.”
The United Supreme Council of 33rd Degree Masons perhaps know that the Middle East conflict today is a continuation of the Crusades and understand that they have a divine obligation to avenge the death of Grand Master Hiram Abiff who died a horrid death at the hands of three traitors. Yes, this resentment between Islam and Christianity is a cold war that is the basis of the antagonism that exists between the East and West. The Knights Templar were never disbanded but these religious soldiers took shield behind many Orders—religious, political, civic, fraternal, governmental structures, etc., but are better organized in 2008 than they were 1,000 years ago.
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
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
AFRICAN AMERICANS: AND AMERICA'S HYPOCRISY
“African Americans: And America’s Hypocrisy”
By Fahim A. Knight-EL
The United States Government has spent close to three (3) trillion dollars in Iraq in an unjust war, in order to be in the best position to steal Oil and we know who is behind this. Yet, poor and oppressed people in the 1990s were charged with wrecking the United States economy—does anyone else see what’s going on? Over eighty (80) million people in America do not have health insurance and this writer wants to go on record to say, he supports socialize medicine and universal health care plans where as all Americans can have adequate health care at no cost. This writer does not mean those watered-down health care plans that have been written, sanctioned, and agreed upon by the medical conglomerates and inspired by powerful corporate lobbies of the medical associations, which Senator Barack Obama, Senator John McCain and Senator Hillary Clinton have been advocating. Why not?
The United States Government continues to spend the U.S. citizen’s tax money unlawfully and against the will of the American people by financing the Iraq War. Thus, instead of former President Bill Clinton and United States Congress in the 1990s attacking America's powerless—“have nots', the defenseless poor. But strategically did not acknowledge or take on the GREATEST WELFARE ISSUE, WHICH WAS NOT AID FOR DEPENDING CHILDREN, BUT AID TO DEPENDENT FOREIGN NATIONS. The United States tax dollars are used indiscriminately to support the nations of Israel and Egypt. These are two Welfare States that have been on the U.S. Taxpayers roll for many years. (Reference: Earl Ofari Hutchinson; "The Crisis In Black and Black").
This writer heard on NPR’s program Democracy Now on July 21, 2008 in which former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and her Vice Presidential running mate Rosa Clemente were nominated by the Green Party as their presidential and vice presidential nominee for the 2008 election. They both spoke passionately about the political, social and economic issues facing America and presented an outside the box perspective that was quite refreshing from Senator Obama and Senator John McCain political views. Presidential hopeful McKinney also talked about the struggles to overcome the restrictive laws that governs the rights of a Third Party to appear on the ballot in all fifty (50) States. This writer in the 1980s backed and supported the New Alliance Party Presidential Candidate, Dr. Lenora Fulani and understands firsthand, the difficulties and struggles associated with trying to get placed on the ballot in all fifty (50) States.
This writer canvas many neighborhoods on behalf of Dr. Lenora Fulani taking signatures of registered voters who agreed that we needed a Third Party that differed from the two corporate parties—Republican and Democrat. This writer does encourage the Keeping It Real Think Tank audience to take a look at the Green Party’s planks; if nothing else American Democracy needs a Third Party.
This is not the topic that the Keeping It Real Think Tank asked me to address and write on; they wanted me focus on some aspect of Black America. This writer has not heard or read Senator Barack Obama's speech on race giving some months ago in Philadelphia or his recent Father's Day speech to black men. Sorry, Senator Obama is not qualified to address either topic; this writer does not recall him backing and supporting the historic Million Man March back on October 16, 1995, which over two (2) million black men came to Washington D.C. seeking Atonement, Reconciliation, and Responsibility. Black men do not see Obama in the sense of traditional black leadership; although, many support his candidacy, but he has not done anything to be considered a black leader (people are trying to equate him to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Minister Malcolm X, he doesn't come near these two great icons these two black leaders paid a price) and most of all he doesn't speak for me and contrary to opinion, the black community is not a monolithic community, perhaps you can tell that relative to many of my commentaries. He is more of a Zionist Jewish leader than a black leader; they control his tongue, politics and have put huge amounts of money behind his candidacy, there lies his true allegiance. Many blacks do not see this deception; it would not surprise me, if they have not granted him dual citizenship status (Israeli and American).
This is the Pledge that black men took at the Million Man March; this was sufficient enough for me, but this writer is quite sure that Senator Obama wasn't allowed to incorporate this in his Father's Day Speech because these principles were given and spoken by Minister Louis Farrakhan and it would not be political expedient for Senator Obama to embrace this so-called controversial black leader. So, this writer decided to remind the two (2) million black men that attended the Million Man March and the millions that watched this historical event on CNN news of the Pledge they took. This writer unlike Senator Obama can quote Minister Farrakhan and do not give damn who like or not; thus, I would find more integrity and credibility in Minister Farrakhan or Reverend Jeremiah Wright delivering a Father's Day Message to black men more so than, Senator Obama because Minister Farrakhan is black and he truly understands the black experience. Minister Farrakhan at the March asked all the black men in attendance to commit to these Nine Principles.
I pledge that from this day forward, I will strive to love my Brother as I love myself.
I pledge from this day forward, I will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, socially, politically and economically for the benefit myself, my family and my people
I pledge, that I will strive to build businesses, build houses, build hospitals, build factories, and enter into international trade, for the good of myself, and my people.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to beat, hurt, or shoot any member of my family, or any human being, except in self-defense.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never abuse my wife by striking her or disrespecting her, for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never engage in the abuse of children--little boys or little girls--for sexual gratification. But I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.
I will never again use the 'B' word to describe any female, but particular my own black sister.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will not poison my body with drugs or that which is destructive to my health and well being.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, and black television. I will support Black artists who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their people, and respect for the ears of the human family. (Reference: Kim Martin Sadler; “Atonement, The Million Man March”).
Black Americans have a Gross National Product (GNP) of approximately 800 billion dollars which is equal to and surpassed many European Nations (but the black dollar does not circulate not even one time around their community) and if they were a sovereignty nation, they would rank as having the tenth (10) largest economy in the world. Thus, that sounds very impressive and definitely stands as one of the great accomplishments, in particular for a people who has risen just in one hundred fifty (150) years from perhaps one of the worst inhumane conditions ever recorded in human history—Chattel Slavery (1555-1865) to perhaps electing a black man to the office of President of the United States of America, the highest office in the world. Some would argue that to-be very impressive; what else possible they could desire? (Reference: George C. Fraser; "Race For Success").
The former President of Morehouse College Benjamin E. Mays (this was Dr. Martin Luther King's mentor) who authored the book titled, "Born to Rebel" stated," Even white contemporaries of mine can never know the humiliating conditions under which Negroes had to live because of enforced segregation in my day. The segregated system was so cruel, so inhumane, and so destructive to the development of manhood and character that white America can never really know the damage it did to the mind and spirit of millions of Negroes who lived and died under that system. It may be that this book will fill the vacuum in the thinking of young Negroes and whites as well. If certain conditions are unbearable now, they were a hundred times worse at the turn of the century and during the first fifty years of the twentieth century. This is not to say that we can afford to be complacent and satisfied with the progress recently made in Negro-white relations. No such inference must be drawn from this book. The United States is a rich country, the most prosperous nation in history. Despite this fact, there are millions who live in despair and poverty or on the brink of poverty. Millions live in slums and hundreds of thousands unemployed. Many young people drop out of school and become delinquents; they see no hope, and some take to rioting. All of these things take place in one of the most literate and enlightened countries in the world." (Reference: Benjamin Mays; “Born to Rebel”).
It is faulty thinking and reasoning to measure the success of an entire race on the token success of lets say Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods (I guess he is black based on American standards of race) Bill Cosby, Russell Simmons, Bob Johnson, Michael Jordan, Jay-Z, Irvin "Magic Johnson" and yes, even on Barack Obama’s success or any other black token and paint a broad stroke of group prosperity and success of our race based on the net worth of a few petite-bourgeoisie blacks, is not only ludicrous, but insane. African-Americans still ranks high in infant mortality, homicide, Aids, prison incarceration, poverty, high school dropout, drug and alcohol addiction, and in a lot of other negative social categories. American prisons have swelled to anywhere from two million to four million prisoners incarcerated throughout local, state, federal prisons and jails. Thus, over sixty (60) percent of the U.S. prison population consists of young black men between the ages of 16-35. We are not innately criminals nor are we a lawless people. (Reference: Harriet A. Washington; “Medical Apartheid).
Judge Bruce Wright in his monumental book titled, "Black Robes, White Justice" stated, "My persistent concern has long been the white judges who, in their large numbers, are called upon daily to preside over the trials of black defendants accused of crime. Are they really qualified for such sociological tasks, only incidentally mixed with law? If so, what are the peculiar circumstances that define their competence? Is it the survival in them of some plantation concept of social divisions in life? What do they study in college or law school that might tend to qualify them to preside over the doom or liberty of strangers to their kinds of neighborhoods, of aliens to the way of life, of foreigners and outsiders to their clubs, their churches, their folkway? What magic abolishes color in their eyes and gives them instant objectivity and a license to analyze human foibles entirely divorced from the historical truth of racism? How, indeed, does one annul one's heritage and that of one's forefathers in this land from which the family came? (Reference: Bruce Wright; "Black Robes, White Justice")
Judge Wright goes on to explain, "For those of the inner city, as our dark enclaves are so euphemistically called, the judges are the assembly-line feeders of the prison system. Those in the system--whether prisoners, jailers or judges--who dare to speak of rehabilitation are regarded as wild-eyed speculators about the human spirit. They are accused of having more concern for the criminal than for the victims of crime. This abandonment of concepts of rehabilitation leads to society's preoccupation only with custody. This results in warehousing of offenders. The mean neighborhoods from which they come are neighborhoods transferred to the prisons. Little wonder that one black survivor of the inmate rebellion at Attica could weep an unanswered, perhaps unanswerable question to world. 'How in the hell we gonna be rehabilitated,' he asked, 'when we ain't never been habilitated in the first place?' " (Reference: Bruce Wright; "Black Robes, White Justice").
This writer spent over fifteen years working with inmates on the rehabilitation side and he has read and reviewed many Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) reports, as well as spent many years talking with black inmates, lawyers, judges, probation and parole officials, case managers, unit managers, wardens, etc. The majority of the PSI reports of these inmates had similar social and psychological markers. For example, many of the black inmates came from broken homes—single parent where they were raised by mothers, absentee fathers, drug and alcohol abuse, poverty stricken, physical abuse, etc. The majority of their criminal convictions were property crimes and drug trafficking convictions or other drug related charges. Some of these black inmates had entered into a life of crime at a very early age out of economic survival in order meet the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. (Reference: William P. Benjamin; ”African Americans in the Criminal Justice System”).
Remember it was the liberal President Bill Clinton in the 1990s that advocated and eventually became legislation—the three strikes and your out (Habitual Felony Law), which sent more black men to prison than the Republican Reagan-Bush administration. Those with felony convictions are stripped of their right to vote and can not bear firearms, even after paying their debt to society. But guess what, they are still required to pay taxes and are stripped of some basic constitutional rights. Since Senator Obama is a member of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Congress, this writer wonders, why Obama hasn’t put forth a bill in Congress to restore the rights of these disenfranchised black fathers in America? This is a level of hypocrisy from which he and other politicians alludes when addressing issues of crime. Also, many of the black fathers that Senator Obama was speaking of can not become gainfully employment because of having a felony conviction on their record. But Scooter Libby and Karl Rove and the boys can commit all types of crimes and this system allows a preferential treatment to justice, which is often based on race and class. (Reference: Tim Wise; White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son").
Our "economic disadvantage status" renders us victims in a very profitable system called the prison industrial complex. In approximately, 1981 the United States Congress and the United States Courts passed the Sentence Reform Acts (there has been some amended versions in particular in 2000 to this act), where the U.S. Courts and the United States Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Prisons) passed a law requiring all federal convicted defendants in violation of a federal stature would be mandated to serve an 85% active prison sentence of incarceration in federal custody. This legislation and law is interpreted to meaning, a convicted federal defendant (often black and Hispanics) will be committed to doing longer prison terms without the benefit of parole (the Department of Justice has actual phased out the U.S. Parole Commission).
In addition, Congress passed the mandatory sentencing guidelines, moreover, stripping U.S. Judges of judicial flexibility in the areas of imposing sentencing length and terms. It has been a criminal justice travesty for first time offenders who entered US Courts having committed misdemeanors and perhaps did not belong in prison were actually receiving active prison sentencing based on United States law and policy.
This writer can recall at the Million Man March on October 16, 1995 the Reverend Jesse Jackson was one of the presenters and he brought to national and international attention a young African American female named Kimba Smith who was an aspiring academic and scholastic student at Hampton University in Virginia. Ms. Smith had met a Nigerian student and became romantically involved, but little did she know that her Nigerian boy friend was a drug trafficker that was distribution large volumes of cocaine and after becoming indicted; he committed suicide while on the run from law enforcement. Ms. Smith became the target of United States Prosecutors because after the Nigerian boy friend committed suicide; it was evident that someone had to be punished. Thus, she was eventually charged and convicted on Federal Drug Conspiracy charges and this young college student with a clean criminal record was sentence to over twenty (20) years in Federal Prison. (Reference: Emerge Magazine article on Kimba Smith).
Kimba Smith by 1995 had already served over six (6) years in Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Danbury, Connecticut and it was Reverend Jackson who called for Congress and the U.S. Courts to review the mandatory sentencing guidelines, but more specifically this public policy was adversely affecting defendants like Kimba Smith who did not belong in prison. Jackson speech on that day perhaps had more substance than the keynote addressed delivered by Minister Louis Farrakhan, the convener of the Million Man March and the leader of the Nation of Islam.
Reverend Jackson was also critical of laws that gave stiffer penalties for one having crack cocaine possession versus powder cocaine, the former viewed as the black man's drug of choice and latter viewed as the white man's drug of choice, which blacks were criminally penalized more harsher than those white defendants who were perhaps caught with possessing powder cocaine. The U.S. Courts recently had a reversal in the crack cocaine laws. Reverend Jackson's advocacy led to President Clinton prior to leaving office in 2000 pardoning Kimba Smith. But there a was real criminal that Clinton pardon in Marc Rich who had defrauded huge sums of money from U.S. Banking and lending institutions and had been on the U.S. Justice Department Most Wanted List for years. He was living in some European country where the U.S. did not share extradition laws.
These type white collar and Elitist criminals have been getting this type preferential treatment for years. This writer believes President Clinton after leaving office in 2000 knew as a Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission and Bilderberger agent that the world was preparing to change; 9/11 would alter national and international jurisprudence systems and under the now present 2001 U.S. Patriot Act, it would have made it difficult for criminals like Rich to hide and evade U.S. style justice because of the long arm afforded to the U.S Patriot Act.
Dr. W.E.B Dubois who authored the book "The Souls of Black Folk" describes our American predicament in a most eloquent and definitive way, he stated, "After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world,--a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his twoness,--an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two un-reconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder." (Reference: W.E.B Dubois; "The Souls of Black Folk")
However, one should not make any mistake about the predicament of black men in America; it is not coincidental that crime and drugs are so pervasive in large cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, Camden, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Los Angles, Newark, Richmond, Chicago, Gary, East Saint Louis, Milwaukee, Memphis, Oakland, Cleveland, Cincinnati , Washington, DC, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Los Vegas, Little Rock, Portland, Seattle, etc., as well as many small towns throughout America. The drug trade is a lucrative national and international business blacks do not control the manufacturing or the high level of distribution where drugs are transported from Columbia, South America and from Central Asia—Afghanistan and from South East Asia.
The smuggling of dope (heroin) and cocaine into the United States requires having aircrafts and ships, as well as being able to maneuver across international waters and airspace going undetected; this alone would take huge amounts of resources, powerful connections and, a level of sophistication that most black drug kingpins do not have these untouchable acquaintances, in particular since 9/11.
You remember Colonel Oliver T. North, President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George W.H. Bush, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Nicaragua Contras had circumvented the United States Constitution, in which U.S. Congress were unaware that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Agent North was fighting a private covert war (using taxpayers money) in Nicaragua against Daniel Ortega and Sandinistas .Although, the United States Treasury Department and U.S. Government had imposed economic sanctions against Iran, but this deal involved oil, arms, money and dope, an international triangle of corruption on the highest level. These chains of events took place in the early 1980s. (Reference: by Executive Intelligence Review; Dope, Inc)
This writer while in college had the pleasure to sit under a very liberal Jewish professor named Dr. Jeffrey Elliot who taught political science and who was a great interviewer that had authored over 60 books and published over 500 scholarly articles. He introduced me to the mind of President Fidel Castro and this writer must say this man could run intellectual circles around the majority of American presidents both past and present. Elliot authored a book titled, "Fidel Castro: Nothing Can Stop the Course of History" which President Castro stated, "Cuba has been offered fabulous amounts of money if we would cooperate in drug deals. Although, we are blockaded by the United States, we have never accepted a single drug deal. Therefore, I say it is infamous to attempt to link Cuba to drug deals. I say categorically that we have never received a single cent from drug trafficking. We have the cleanest record and most outstanding results of any nation in this hemisphere in the struggle against the production of, trafficking in, and use of drugs. It is truly shameful that the United States--the largest drug market in the world--is making such an accusation against Cuba. We know that the United States is growing more and more marijuana, and that is already being produced in most states in that country. IT WOULDN'T BE SURPRISING IF THE UNITED STATES WOUND UP PRODUCING SYNTHETIC COCAINE." (emphasis is mine). (Reference: Jeffrey Elliot; "Fidel Castro: Nothing Can Stop the Course of History").
President Castro spoke these prophetic words in 1985 and we witness crack cocaine (synthetic cocaine) in the mid-1980s being introduced in the black community. The drug lords in this case the U.S. Government and the Italian Mafia dumped millions of tons of crack cocaine in the poorest, oppressed and depressed communities (black and Hispanics) for test marketing, which became their drug of choice. This highly addictive and dependent drug devastated the black community and destroyed the moral and social fiber of the black community. There is no doubt in this writer's mind that genocide and a larger conspiracy were at work. The United States Government worked overtime to extinguish the revolutionary fervor that encompassed the 1960s and the 1970s, a glorious time in the history of black America where black freedom fighters took on repression and injustice. (Reference: Mumia Abu-Jamal; Live From Death Row”).
Mumia Abu-Jamal in his book titled. “Live From Death Row,” stated, “Their quest for relief is spelled C-R-A-C-K. Crack. Rock. Call it what you will, it is, in truth, another word for ‘death’ in the African-American communities. Harvested in Latin America’s Peruvian highlands, treated in jungle labs, ‘cured’ in a chemical bath of ether and kerosene, carried into the U.S.A by government –hired pilots as a way to pay the fledgling contras’ bills, cocaine comes to Chocolate City, U.S.A., and transformed into crystalline crack, wreaks havoc on poor black life. . .Just as the ‘Just Say No’ generation got down from the political stage, tons of a new potent poison were being peddled in poor sections of town, brought to these shores courtesy of the Iran-Contra funds diversion scheme, as masterminded by that great American hero Honest Ollie North (known as Operation Black Eagle—CIA). Why would the government (the same government that says ‘Just Say No’) dare bring cocaine into the States, if not to sell it, to turn it into lucre, into cold cash?” (Reference: Mumia Abu-Jamal; Live From Death Row”).
The Civil Rights Movement had two distinct voices those led by the Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Jr. Non-Violent Movement--Ralph Bunch, A. Phillip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and Bayard Rustin; and the Militant radical voices led by Minister Malcolm X, George Jackson, Huey P. Newton, Kwame Ture (Stokley Carmichael), Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin (H. Rap Brown) and Elijah Muhammad. These African American personality produced movements, which challenged the political, economic and social systems of America; this fervor was replaced and harness by the introduction of crack cocaine in the black community. President George W.H Bush and his former Drug Czar William Bennett declared a “War on Drugs” and at the same time; they had sided with the Taliban in Afghanistan against the former Soviet Union where Bush and CIA were protecting their heroin interest; this to made its way to the black community for distribution.
Young black men has found more of a socialization in street gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, Gansta Disciples, etc., because there has been a breakdown in the black family, the church, the mosque, the educational institutions, etc., have lost contact with our youth. Most of all black youth do not have respect for black leaders because they feel alienated and detached from their sphere of influence. This writer has a nephew who is a member of Bloods Street Gang and is of the Hip-Hop generation, but conversing with him he expressed that most so-called black leaders are sellouts and who agenda is only to the highest bidder. The National Urban League has a huge convention every year to address the problems of black life; but its President and CEO Marc H. Morial does not have the street credentials to come in the black community and meet with street gang members like my nephew. They just do not respect these tailored made suit wearing, reptile shoes wearing, Mercedes Benz driving, etc., pimps called black leaders. This writer must say he agrees with the Bloods. (Reference: Russell Simmons; "Do You: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success").
They stole it and we must return it. Moreover, this writer has always been partial towards black leaders that advocated the principle of self-help such as Marcus Garvey, Booker T. Washington, Elijah Muhammad, Louis Farrakhan, etc. that preached self-reliance and a do-for-self philosophy that was steeped in the White Anglo Saxon Protestant (WASP) beliefs of pulling one’s self up by their bootstraps. African Americans can not any longer depend upon the United States Government or some hot air Father’s Day speech delivered by Senator Barack Obama to define black life. We must break the cycle of dependency and stop being willing participants in our own genocide—the Prison Industrial Complex must be exposed on all levels. What is the solution? There must-be a redistribution of the world’s wealth, not just with an elect minority, but with the masses of humanity.
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
By Fahim A. Knight-EL
The United States Government has spent close to three (3) trillion dollars in Iraq in an unjust war, in order to be in the best position to steal Oil and we know who is behind this. Yet, poor and oppressed people in the 1990s were charged with wrecking the United States economy—does anyone else see what’s going on? Over eighty (80) million people in America do not have health insurance and this writer wants to go on record to say, he supports socialize medicine and universal health care plans where as all Americans can have adequate health care at no cost. This writer does not mean those watered-down health care plans that have been written, sanctioned, and agreed upon by the medical conglomerates and inspired by powerful corporate lobbies of the medical associations, which Senator Barack Obama, Senator John McCain and Senator Hillary Clinton have been advocating. Why not?
The United States Government continues to spend the U.S. citizen’s tax money unlawfully and against the will of the American people by financing the Iraq War. Thus, instead of former President Bill Clinton and United States Congress in the 1990s attacking America's powerless—“have nots', the defenseless poor. But strategically did not acknowledge or take on the GREATEST WELFARE ISSUE, WHICH WAS NOT AID FOR DEPENDING CHILDREN, BUT AID TO DEPENDENT FOREIGN NATIONS. The United States tax dollars are used indiscriminately to support the nations of Israel and Egypt. These are two Welfare States that have been on the U.S. Taxpayers roll for many years. (Reference: Earl Ofari Hutchinson; "The Crisis In Black and Black").
This writer heard on NPR’s program Democracy Now on July 21, 2008 in which former Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney and her Vice Presidential running mate Rosa Clemente were nominated by the Green Party as their presidential and vice presidential nominee for the 2008 election. They both spoke passionately about the political, social and economic issues facing America and presented an outside the box perspective that was quite refreshing from Senator Obama and Senator John McCain political views. Presidential hopeful McKinney also talked about the struggles to overcome the restrictive laws that governs the rights of a Third Party to appear on the ballot in all fifty (50) States. This writer in the 1980s backed and supported the New Alliance Party Presidential Candidate, Dr. Lenora Fulani and understands firsthand, the difficulties and struggles associated with trying to get placed on the ballot in all fifty (50) States.
This writer canvas many neighborhoods on behalf of Dr. Lenora Fulani taking signatures of registered voters who agreed that we needed a Third Party that differed from the two corporate parties—Republican and Democrat. This writer does encourage the Keeping It Real Think Tank audience to take a look at the Green Party’s planks; if nothing else American Democracy needs a Third Party.
This is not the topic that the Keeping It Real Think Tank asked me to address and write on; they wanted me focus on some aspect of Black America. This writer has not heard or read Senator Barack Obama's speech on race giving some months ago in Philadelphia or his recent Father's Day speech to black men. Sorry, Senator Obama is not qualified to address either topic; this writer does not recall him backing and supporting the historic Million Man March back on October 16, 1995, which over two (2) million black men came to Washington D.C. seeking Atonement, Reconciliation, and Responsibility. Black men do not see Obama in the sense of traditional black leadership; although, many support his candidacy, but he has not done anything to be considered a black leader (people are trying to equate him to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Minister Malcolm X, he doesn't come near these two great icons these two black leaders paid a price) and most of all he doesn't speak for me and contrary to opinion, the black community is not a monolithic community, perhaps you can tell that relative to many of my commentaries. He is more of a Zionist Jewish leader than a black leader; they control his tongue, politics and have put huge amounts of money behind his candidacy, there lies his true allegiance. Many blacks do not see this deception; it would not surprise me, if they have not granted him dual citizenship status (Israeli and American).
This is the Pledge that black men took at the Million Man March; this was sufficient enough for me, but this writer is quite sure that Senator Obama wasn't allowed to incorporate this in his Father's Day Speech because these principles were given and spoken by Minister Louis Farrakhan and it would not be political expedient for Senator Obama to embrace this so-called controversial black leader. So, this writer decided to remind the two (2) million black men that attended the Million Man March and the millions that watched this historical event on CNN news of the Pledge they took. This writer unlike Senator Obama can quote Minister Farrakhan and do not give damn who like or not; thus, I would find more integrity and credibility in Minister Farrakhan or Reverend Jeremiah Wright delivering a Father's Day Message to black men more so than, Senator Obama because Minister Farrakhan is black and he truly understands the black experience. Minister Farrakhan at the March asked all the black men in attendance to commit to these Nine Principles.
I pledge that from this day forward, I will strive to love my Brother as I love myself.
I pledge from this day forward, I will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, socially, politically and economically for the benefit myself, my family and my people
I pledge, that I will strive to build businesses, build houses, build hospitals, build factories, and enter into international trade, for the good of myself, and my people.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to beat, hurt, or shoot any member of my family, or any human being, except in self-defense.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never abuse my wife by striking her or disrespecting her, for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will never engage in the abuse of children--little boys or little girls--for sexual gratification. But I will let them grow in peace to be strong men and women for the future of our people.
I will never again use the 'B' word to describe any female, but particular my own black sister.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will not poison my body with drugs or that which is destructive to my health and well being.
I pledge, that from this forward, I will support Black newspapers, Black radio, and black television. I will support Black artists who clean up their acts to show respect for themselves and respect for their people, and respect for the ears of the human family. (Reference: Kim Martin Sadler; “Atonement, The Million Man March”).
Black Americans have a Gross National Product (GNP) of approximately 800 billion dollars which is equal to and surpassed many European Nations (but the black dollar does not circulate not even one time around their community) and if they were a sovereignty nation, they would rank as having the tenth (10) largest economy in the world. Thus, that sounds very impressive and definitely stands as one of the great accomplishments, in particular for a people who has risen just in one hundred fifty (150) years from perhaps one of the worst inhumane conditions ever recorded in human history—Chattel Slavery (1555-1865) to perhaps electing a black man to the office of President of the United States of America, the highest office in the world. Some would argue that to-be very impressive; what else possible they could desire? (Reference: George C. Fraser; "Race For Success").
The former President of Morehouse College Benjamin E. Mays (this was Dr. Martin Luther King's mentor) who authored the book titled, "Born to Rebel" stated," Even white contemporaries of mine can never know the humiliating conditions under which Negroes had to live because of enforced segregation in my day. The segregated system was so cruel, so inhumane, and so destructive to the development of manhood and character that white America can never really know the damage it did to the mind and spirit of millions of Negroes who lived and died under that system. It may be that this book will fill the vacuum in the thinking of young Negroes and whites as well. If certain conditions are unbearable now, they were a hundred times worse at the turn of the century and during the first fifty years of the twentieth century. This is not to say that we can afford to be complacent and satisfied with the progress recently made in Negro-white relations. No such inference must be drawn from this book. The United States is a rich country, the most prosperous nation in history. Despite this fact, there are millions who live in despair and poverty or on the brink of poverty. Millions live in slums and hundreds of thousands unemployed. Many young people drop out of school and become delinquents; they see no hope, and some take to rioting. All of these things take place in one of the most literate and enlightened countries in the world." (Reference: Benjamin Mays; “Born to Rebel”).
It is faulty thinking and reasoning to measure the success of an entire race on the token success of lets say Oprah Winfrey, Tiger Woods (I guess he is black based on American standards of race) Bill Cosby, Russell Simmons, Bob Johnson, Michael Jordan, Jay-Z, Irvin "Magic Johnson" and yes, even on Barack Obama’s success or any other black token and paint a broad stroke of group prosperity and success of our race based on the net worth of a few petite-bourgeoisie blacks, is not only ludicrous, but insane. African-Americans still ranks high in infant mortality, homicide, Aids, prison incarceration, poverty, high school dropout, drug and alcohol addiction, and in a lot of other negative social categories. American prisons have swelled to anywhere from two million to four million prisoners incarcerated throughout local, state, federal prisons and jails. Thus, over sixty (60) percent of the U.S. prison population consists of young black men between the ages of 16-35. We are not innately criminals nor are we a lawless people. (Reference: Harriet A. Washington; “Medical Apartheid).
Judge Bruce Wright in his monumental book titled, "Black Robes, White Justice" stated, "My persistent concern has long been the white judges who, in their large numbers, are called upon daily to preside over the trials of black defendants accused of crime. Are they really qualified for such sociological tasks, only incidentally mixed with law? If so, what are the peculiar circumstances that define their competence? Is it the survival in them of some plantation concept of social divisions in life? What do they study in college or law school that might tend to qualify them to preside over the doom or liberty of strangers to their kinds of neighborhoods, of aliens to the way of life, of foreigners and outsiders to their clubs, their churches, their folkway? What magic abolishes color in their eyes and gives them instant objectivity and a license to analyze human foibles entirely divorced from the historical truth of racism? How, indeed, does one annul one's heritage and that of one's forefathers in this land from which the family came? (Reference: Bruce Wright; "Black Robes, White Justice")
Judge Wright goes on to explain, "For those of the inner city, as our dark enclaves are so euphemistically called, the judges are the assembly-line feeders of the prison system. Those in the system--whether prisoners, jailers or judges--who dare to speak of rehabilitation are regarded as wild-eyed speculators about the human spirit. They are accused of having more concern for the criminal than for the victims of crime. This abandonment of concepts of rehabilitation leads to society's preoccupation only with custody. This results in warehousing of offenders. The mean neighborhoods from which they come are neighborhoods transferred to the prisons. Little wonder that one black survivor of the inmate rebellion at Attica could weep an unanswered, perhaps unanswerable question to world. 'How in the hell we gonna be rehabilitated,' he asked, 'when we ain't never been habilitated in the first place?' " (Reference: Bruce Wright; "Black Robes, White Justice").
This writer spent over fifteen years working with inmates on the rehabilitation side and he has read and reviewed many Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) reports, as well as spent many years talking with black inmates, lawyers, judges, probation and parole officials, case managers, unit managers, wardens, etc. The majority of the PSI reports of these inmates had similar social and psychological markers. For example, many of the black inmates came from broken homes—single parent where they were raised by mothers, absentee fathers, drug and alcohol abuse, poverty stricken, physical abuse, etc. The majority of their criminal convictions were property crimes and drug trafficking convictions or other drug related charges. Some of these black inmates had entered into a life of crime at a very early age out of economic survival in order meet the basic needs of food, clothing and shelter. (Reference: William P. Benjamin; ”African Americans in the Criminal Justice System”).
Remember it was the liberal President Bill Clinton in the 1990s that advocated and eventually became legislation—the three strikes and your out (Habitual Felony Law), which sent more black men to prison than the Republican Reagan-Bush administration. Those with felony convictions are stripped of their right to vote and can not bear firearms, even after paying their debt to society. But guess what, they are still required to pay taxes and are stripped of some basic constitutional rights. Since Senator Obama is a member of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. Congress, this writer wonders, why Obama hasn’t put forth a bill in Congress to restore the rights of these disenfranchised black fathers in America? This is a level of hypocrisy from which he and other politicians alludes when addressing issues of crime. Also, many of the black fathers that Senator Obama was speaking of can not become gainfully employment because of having a felony conviction on their record. But Scooter Libby and Karl Rove and the boys can commit all types of crimes and this system allows a preferential treatment to justice, which is often based on race and class. (Reference: Tim Wise; White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son").
Our "economic disadvantage status" renders us victims in a very profitable system called the prison industrial complex. In approximately, 1981 the United States Congress and the United States Courts passed the Sentence Reform Acts (there has been some amended versions in particular in 2000 to this act), where the U.S. Courts and the United States Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Prisons) passed a law requiring all federal convicted defendants in violation of a federal stature would be mandated to serve an 85% active prison sentence of incarceration in federal custody. This legislation and law is interpreted to meaning, a convicted federal defendant (often black and Hispanics) will be committed to doing longer prison terms without the benefit of parole (the Department of Justice has actual phased out the U.S. Parole Commission).
In addition, Congress passed the mandatory sentencing guidelines, moreover, stripping U.S. Judges of judicial flexibility in the areas of imposing sentencing length and terms. It has been a criminal justice travesty for first time offenders who entered US Courts having committed misdemeanors and perhaps did not belong in prison were actually receiving active prison sentencing based on United States law and policy.
This writer can recall at the Million Man March on October 16, 1995 the Reverend Jesse Jackson was one of the presenters and he brought to national and international attention a young African American female named Kimba Smith who was an aspiring academic and scholastic student at Hampton University in Virginia. Ms. Smith had met a Nigerian student and became romantically involved, but little did she know that her Nigerian boy friend was a drug trafficker that was distribution large volumes of cocaine and after becoming indicted; he committed suicide while on the run from law enforcement. Ms. Smith became the target of United States Prosecutors because after the Nigerian boy friend committed suicide; it was evident that someone had to be punished. Thus, she was eventually charged and convicted on Federal Drug Conspiracy charges and this young college student with a clean criminal record was sentence to over twenty (20) years in Federal Prison. (Reference: Emerge Magazine article on Kimba Smith).
Kimba Smith by 1995 had already served over six (6) years in Federal Correctional Institute (FCI) Danbury, Connecticut and it was Reverend Jackson who called for Congress and the U.S. Courts to review the mandatory sentencing guidelines, but more specifically this public policy was adversely affecting defendants like Kimba Smith who did not belong in prison. Jackson speech on that day perhaps had more substance than the keynote addressed delivered by Minister Louis Farrakhan, the convener of the Million Man March and the leader of the Nation of Islam.
Reverend Jackson was also critical of laws that gave stiffer penalties for one having crack cocaine possession versus powder cocaine, the former viewed as the black man's drug of choice and latter viewed as the white man's drug of choice, which blacks were criminally penalized more harsher than those white defendants who were perhaps caught with possessing powder cocaine. The U.S. Courts recently had a reversal in the crack cocaine laws. Reverend Jackson's advocacy led to President Clinton prior to leaving office in 2000 pardoning Kimba Smith. But there a was real criminal that Clinton pardon in Marc Rich who had defrauded huge sums of money from U.S. Banking and lending institutions and had been on the U.S. Justice Department Most Wanted List for years. He was living in some European country where the U.S. did not share extradition laws.
These type white collar and Elitist criminals have been getting this type preferential treatment for years. This writer believes President Clinton after leaving office in 2000 knew as a Council on Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission and Bilderberger agent that the world was preparing to change; 9/11 would alter national and international jurisprudence systems and under the now present 2001 U.S. Patriot Act, it would have made it difficult for criminals like Rich to hide and evade U.S. style justice because of the long arm afforded to the U.S Patriot Act.
Dr. W.E.B Dubois who authored the book "The Souls of Black Folk" describes our American predicament in a most eloquent and definitive way, he stated, "After the Egyptian and Indian, the Greek and Roman, the Teuton and Mongolian, the Negro is a sort of seventh son, born with a veil, and gifted with second-sight in this American world,--a world which yields him no true self-consciousness, but only lets him see himself through the revelation of the other world. It is a peculiar sensation, this double-consciousness, this sense of always looking at one's self through the eyes of others, of measuring one's soul by the tape of a world that looks on in amused contempt and pity. One ever feels his twoness,--an American, a Negro; two souls, two thoughts, two un-reconciled strivings; two warring ideals in one dark body, whose dogged strength alone keeps it from being torn asunder." (Reference: W.E.B Dubois; "The Souls of Black Folk")
However, one should not make any mistake about the predicament of black men in America; it is not coincidental that crime and drugs are so pervasive in large cities such as Baltimore, Philadelphia, Camden, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Los Angles, Newark, Richmond, Chicago, Gary, East Saint Louis, Milwaukee, Memphis, Oakland, Cleveland, Cincinnati , Washington, DC, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Los Vegas, Little Rock, Portland, Seattle, etc., as well as many small towns throughout America. The drug trade is a lucrative national and international business blacks do not control the manufacturing or the high level of distribution where drugs are transported from Columbia, South America and from Central Asia—Afghanistan and from South East Asia.
The smuggling of dope (heroin) and cocaine into the United States requires having aircrafts and ships, as well as being able to maneuver across international waters and airspace going undetected; this alone would take huge amounts of resources, powerful connections and, a level of sophistication that most black drug kingpins do not have these untouchable acquaintances, in particular since 9/11.
You remember Colonel Oliver T. North, President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George W.H. Bush, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Nicaragua Contras had circumvented the United States Constitution, in which U.S. Congress were unaware that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Agent North was fighting a private covert war (using taxpayers money) in Nicaragua against Daniel Ortega and Sandinistas .Although, the United States Treasury Department and U.S. Government had imposed economic sanctions against Iran, but this deal involved oil, arms, money and dope, an international triangle of corruption on the highest level. These chains of events took place in the early 1980s. (Reference: by Executive Intelligence Review; Dope, Inc)
This writer while in college had the pleasure to sit under a very liberal Jewish professor named Dr. Jeffrey Elliot who taught political science and who was a great interviewer that had authored over 60 books and published over 500 scholarly articles. He introduced me to the mind of President Fidel Castro and this writer must say this man could run intellectual circles around the majority of American presidents both past and present. Elliot authored a book titled, "Fidel Castro: Nothing Can Stop the Course of History" which President Castro stated, "Cuba has been offered fabulous amounts of money if we would cooperate in drug deals. Although, we are blockaded by the United States, we have never accepted a single drug deal. Therefore, I say it is infamous to attempt to link Cuba to drug deals. I say categorically that we have never received a single cent from drug trafficking. We have the cleanest record and most outstanding results of any nation in this hemisphere in the struggle against the production of, trafficking in, and use of drugs. It is truly shameful that the United States--the largest drug market in the world--is making such an accusation against Cuba. We know that the United States is growing more and more marijuana, and that is already being produced in most states in that country. IT WOULDN'T BE SURPRISING IF THE UNITED STATES WOUND UP PRODUCING SYNTHETIC COCAINE." (emphasis is mine). (Reference: Jeffrey Elliot; "Fidel Castro: Nothing Can Stop the Course of History").
President Castro spoke these prophetic words in 1985 and we witness crack cocaine (synthetic cocaine) in the mid-1980s being introduced in the black community. The drug lords in this case the U.S. Government and the Italian Mafia dumped millions of tons of crack cocaine in the poorest, oppressed and depressed communities (black and Hispanics) for test marketing, which became their drug of choice. This highly addictive and dependent drug devastated the black community and destroyed the moral and social fiber of the black community. There is no doubt in this writer's mind that genocide and a larger conspiracy were at work. The United States Government worked overtime to extinguish the revolutionary fervor that encompassed the 1960s and the 1970s, a glorious time in the history of black America where black freedom fighters took on repression and injustice. (Reference: Mumia Abu-Jamal; Live From Death Row”).
Mumia Abu-Jamal in his book titled. “Live From Death Row,” stated, “Their quest for relief is spelled C-R-A-C-K. Crack. Rock. Call it what you will, it is, in truth, another word for ‘death’ in the African-American communities. Harvested in Latin America’s Peruvian highlands, treated in jungle labs, ‘cured’ in a chemical bath of ether and kerosene, carried into the U.S.A by government –hired pilots as a way to pay the fledgling contras’ bills, cocaine comes to Chocolate City, U.S.A., and transformed into crystalline crack, wreaks havoc on poor black life. . .Just as the ‘Just Say No’ generation got down from the political stage, tons of a new potent poison were being peddled in poor sections of town, brought to these shores courtesy of the Iran-Contra funds diversion scheme, as masterminded by that great American hero Honest Ollie North (known as Operation Black Eagle—CIA). Why would the government (the same government that says ‘Just Say No’) dare bring cocaine into the States, if not to sell it, to turn it into lucre, into cold cash?” (Reference: Mumia Abu-Jamal; Live From Death Row”).
The Civil Rights Movement had two distinct voices those led by the Dr. Martin Luther Kings, Jr. Non-Violent Movement--Ralph Bunch, A. Phillip Randolph, Roy Wilkins, Whitney Young, and Bayard Rustin; and the Militant radical voices led by Minister Malcolm X, George Jackson, Huey P. Newton, Kwame Ture (Stokley Carmichael), Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin (H. Rap Brown) and Elijah Muhammad. These African American personality produced movements, which challenged the political, economic and social systems of America; this fervor was replaced and harness by the introduction of crack cocaine in the black community. President George W.H Bush and his former Drug Czar William Bennett declared a “War on Drugs” and at the same time; they had sided with the Taliban in Afghanistan against the former Soviet Union where Bush and CIA were protecting their heroin interest; this to made its way to the black community for distribution.
Young black men has found more of a socialization in street gangs such as the Bloods, Crips, Gansta Disciples, etc., because there has been a breakdown in the black family, the church, the mosque, the educational institutions, etc., have lost contact with our youth. Most of all black youth do not have respect for black leaders because they feel alienated and detached from their sphere of influence. This writer has a nephew who is a member of Bloods Street Gang and is of the Hip-Hop generation, but conversing with him he expressed that most so-called black leaders are sellouts and who agenda is only to the highest bidder. The National Urban League has a huge convention every year to address the problems of black life; but its President and CEO Marc H. Morial does not have the street credentials to come in the black community and meet with street gang members like my nephew. They just do not respect these tailored made suit wearing, reptile shoes wearing, Mercedes Benz driving, etc., pimps called black leaders. This writer must say he agrees with the Bloods. (Reference: Russell Simmons; "Do You: 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success").
They stole it and we must return it. Moreover, this writer has always been partial towards black leaders that advocated the principle of self-help such as Marcus Garvey, Booker T. Washington, Elijah Muhammad, Louis Farrakhan, etc. that preached self-reliance and a do-for-self philosophy that was steeped in the White Anglo Saxon Protestant (WASP) beliefs of pulling one’s self up by their bootstraps. African Americans can not any longer depend upon the United States Government or some hot air Father’s Day speech delivered by Senator Barack Obama to define black life. We must break the cycle of dependency and stop being willing participants in our own genocide—the Prison Industrial Complex must be exposed on all levels. What is the solution? There must-be a redistribution of the world’s wealth, not just with an elect minority, but with the masses of humanity.
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
Monday, July 14, 2008
PATRIOTISM: WAIT ONE DAMN MINUTE
PATRIOTISM: WAIT ONE DAMN MINUTE
By Fahim A. Knight-EL
This writer grew up in an era and attended public schools where between 8:15am and 8:30am every morning the principal of the various schools I attended would come on the public address (PA) system and recite “The Pledge of Allegiance” over the intercom and it was mandated that each student had to stand and place their right hand on their heart and turn towards the U.S. Flag which hung in every classroom and recite The Pledge of Allegiance. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.” and verbally recite this along with the principal. We also had to sing "My Country, ‘Tis’ of Thee.” This writer can not say that over the many years of going through this morning classroom ritual that it made me any more or less patriotic. I would later come to understand that this was an early form of conditioning our young impressionable minds, but even back then in elementary school I was questioning why we had to stand each morning to recite these words over and over again. My teacher would only say that we were Americans and it was important that we demonstrate patriotism and loyalty to our nation at all times.
“Patriotism: Wait one Damn Minute;” there is a lot of debate evolving around the question of Patriotism because initially Senator Barack Obama refused to wear the American flag on his coat lapel. Some have come to criticize Senator Barack Obama for initially not wearing the American flag on his lapel as though this outward symbol is the definitive determination in assessing one’s patriotism. This writer does not think one’s patriotism can be measured or properly assessed by an outwardly symbolic association. Obama as of late and from time-to-time has been wearing two flags, the United States and Israel. But wearing the Israeli flag on his lapel, is not viewed as anti-American. However, suppose Senator Barack Obama pinned a Palestinian flag on lapel; he would be deemed as being to cozy to a foreign enemy and would be rebuked for demonstrating poor judgment and he would be labeled unpatriotic.
Senator Obama has repeatedly said over and over that he is not a Muslim or follower of the religion of Islam. This writer takes him at his word and sees no reason to doubt his faith tradition. However, what bothers me is this unspoken notion of knowing that he is Christian creates this false sense of comfort—that it makes him more humane, just, trustworthy, loyal to America’s ideology and many thinks being a Christian would make him more patriotic and suitable to be the United States Commander-in-Chief, than if he was a Muslim. The New Yorker Magazine July 21, 2008 issue has a cartoon caricature of Senator Obama dressed in traditional Islamic garb and his wife Michelle Obama dressed like the former Black Panther Party members Assata Shakur, Angela Davis or Elaine Brown in the 1960s revolutionary Black Power struggles in America. These are clear examples of the arcade prejudices that permeate America’s history of bigotry and discrimination. The underline assumption is that Muslims are less patriotic than Christians, but why hasn’t the Southern Poverty Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) entered and injected some type of litigation on behalf of American Muslims. This writer knows why, they are legal arms of the Cabal and they to view Islam as the enemy.
This writer can recall under President Clinton’s Administration, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (the son of Elijah Muhammad) on January 20, 1997, he read from the Muslim holy book, the Qur'an, at the Presidential Inauguration Day National Prayer Service. But recently Freshman Congressman (D-MN) Keith Ellison who is a Muslim and was elected to the House of Representatives from Minnesota in 2007 caught pure hell because of his religion. The discriminatory charge was led by a racist Congressman from Virginia named Virgil Goode who took issue with Congressman Ellison desiring to use the Holy Qur’an in a private swearing-in ceremony. This is why I have a problem with this patriotism talk, America is not in a moral position to judge or entertain the question of patriotism.
This writer considers himself to be a Conscientious Objector to war; in particular unjust wars such as the invasion of Panama, Grenada, Somali, Vietnam, Haiti, Falklands, Iraq, etc., People always ask me, do I support the United States troops in Iraqi? My answer, is always an emphatic no, because those who control the media and the thinking of the people desire for us to separate the U.S. Troops from those decision makers. The arm forces are the most vital arm in carrying out U.S. Foreign policy and securing its imperialistic positions around the world. This writer, in good conscious can not separate the tool from the brain-trust; although the tool (rank and file soldier) has no idea that they are fostering the political, economic and social objectives of individuals such as the Committee of 300 that do not share in their sentiments of patriotism.
Patriotism is defined as “a proud supporter or defender of his or her country and its way of life.” Patriotism is imbued in the poor and the ignorant while the rich and super Elitist is the beneficiaries of war that is fought by the proletariat in order that Elitist may continue reap the spoils of war from every corner of the earth. The DeBeers, Henry Kissinger, Rothschilds, and Rockefellers they do not believe in American patriotism or any other nation’s patriotic viewpoint. Their definition of patriotism do not allow room for critical evaluation and assessment of America’s social order and there has always been an internal movements to stifle debate; because true debate would prove to be counter productive to their goals and objectives. American patriotism is structured upon lies, half-truths and deceptions in order to inculcate the deepest sense of loyalty, fidelity, devotion, etc., to their schemes and condition the masses to never question their motives, which are based on the accumulation of wealth and power by any means necessary.
The Elitist of the United States has sold America to foreign interest—Asian Nations such as China and Japan virtually owns our country because our nation is for sell. Where is the patriotism in preserving the United States future for future generations? What is so patriotic about declaring war on the innocent and tiny nation of Iraq? In order to flex our military might while we steal Oil from the defensively people of Iraq and claim we are making the world more safer for democracy. How is murdering innocent people in Iraq considered to be patriotic? The war activist Cindy Sheehan is more of a patriot than most Americans because she openly opposed Bush and his unjust war; she stood as a voice of dissention. The American definition of patriotism is both hypocritical and double standard. President George Bush has repeatedly lied to the American public and he has U.S. Flags and other governmental symbols all around him and in my opinion, he is displaying patriotism without morality which is just like symbol without substance. President Bush has not lived up to the solemn Oath that he swore to on the Holy Bible, to up hold in 2000 and 2004.
The entire United States Congress and the President should be charged with treason and sedition for violating various aspects of the United States Constitution; for example, taxation without representation is tyranny; these governmental rogues and political gangsters don’t give damn about welfare of its citizens. They do not represent the interest of the American people, but champion the interest of a small and powerful Elitist Circle. I guess it is patriotic for the United States Government in 1913 to have surrendered our monetary system over to private bankers (Central Banks) in essence; the Federal Reserve Act is unconstitutional along with Internal Revenue Service. How many of these good American patriots have the audacity and political courage to propose a bill in Congress to repeal and rescind this demandable act? Those that control the printing of our currency and determine the national and international interest rates and the valuation or devaluation of our monetary system have a stranglehold on all of humanity including over those who are top level elected officials.
Patrick Henry said "give me liberty or give me death" surely taxation without representation is tyranny. Their patriotism is to the twelve Central Banks—that rules the entire planet: 1. Rothschild Bank of London, Rothschild Bank of Berlin, 2. Chase Manhattan Bank of New York (Rockefeller) Chase National bank of New York (Rockefeller). 3. First National Bank of New York. 5. Hanover National Bank of New York. 6. Goldman Sachs of New York. 7. Kuhn Loeb Bank of New York. 8. Lehman Brothers of New York. 9. Warburg Bank of Hamburg Warburg Bank of Amsterdam. 10. Lazard Brothers of Paris. 11. Israel Moses Seif Banks of Italy. 12. JP Morgan.
It was President Bush just a couple of years ago who was looking to sell the rights to the United States Ports over to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). How does this motive line-up with patriotism? After 9/11 the so-called terrorist were supposed to have been Middle Eastern Arabs; yet Bush was looking to turn over one of America’s most vital and strategic geographical regions of costal sovereignty to the Arabs, although some thought this move could have posed a serious security breech and compromise of America’s national security. This move sounded like a political contradiction—after-all he and the media had characterized the Arabs and Islam as being synonymous with terrorism.
President Bush since 9/11 had initiated all types of repressive legislation and actions under the banner of Homeland Security. He beefed up United States Boarder Patrol operations and United States Customs. The eastern seaboard is one of the regions of the country where imports and exports are received and moved across international waters. President Bush in desiring to sell U.S. Ports to this Oil wealthy Islamic State because he is bosom buddies with these reactionary monarch Arab governments and more importantly he felt comfortable with this proposition because he knew the real culprits behind the 9/11 hoax and understood best that they were not Arabs. This writer learned in middle school social studies classes that dissent was constitutional, but this writer can recall right after September 11, 2001 all debate was stifled in which academicians, activists, intellectuals, etc., were not allowed to critique or criticize the United States Government and the events evolving around 9/11.
This writer understood that the nation was mourning and trying to come to grips with the so-called 9/11 tragedy, which represented a lost of life and property, but the media had worked the ignorant masses into a frenzy and they became the first line of defense in this recent era of patriotism. The United States Flags were selling like hot cakes; I am quite sure the U.S. Flag makers and manufactures—probably were not American companies (many of the flags did not have the trademark made in the USA), but somebody made huge sums of money off the United States citizens emotionalism, which was disguise in patriotism.
Scholars were afraid to assess and evaluate lest they be called unpatriotic; thus, there were CNN, CBS, FOX News, ABC, NBC, BBC, etc., that were interviewing well known talking heads who perhaps had a differ of opinion but could not offer a dissenting opinion after 9/11 because of fear of being labeled unpatriotic. President Bush and the United States Government for close to two years functioned with minimum criticism and opposition which allowed him to circumvent the United States Constitution, reconstruct foreign and domestic policy—imposed many reactionary Executive Orders—Bush in fact rearranged the entire world while the American people were wrapped up in the sentimental values—passionately called patriotism. This writer equates patriotism with a sedative drug, it put the American people to sleep and they wouldn’t feel the pain after awakening to find out that their nation had been hijacked and truly American democracy had become something of the past. If the Truth be told Paul Warburg and the boys in the early 1900s started this erosion of democracy over one hundred (100) years ago.
President Bush literally transformed the United States into a TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENT (this concept is far removed from patriotism—Bush should have been crowned with a new title DICTATOR BUSH) and post 9/11 the United States Constitution became a second tier document which was replaced by the United States Patriot Act (interpret to mean you have no rights). This is what happens when an inordinate amount of propaganda is allowed to make inroads and impact a society without critical opposition and Bush did not allow himself to have an alter-ego and he hid behind patriotism. The U.S. Congress was also duped, they rubber stamped during this time of so-called crisis the majority of Bush’s foreign and domestic policy initiatives. Many of them believed after 9/11 that the United States was in crisis and they had to show forth their patriotism by agreeing and passing legislation in support of the Bush Administration.
The United States Government since 9/11 has equipped itself with some powerful arsenal—the United States Justice Department just have to label you an Enemy Combatant and from that moment you have no legal rights; moreover Bush’s repressive acts and legislation were more aimed at the American people more so than the so-called foreign terrorist and as we were applauding the rounding up of so-called Arab radical militants; it never occurred to us that the intended victims would eventually be the American people. You all remember Timothy McVeigh, the good American boy that spearheaded the bombing of the Okalahoma City Federal building in 1995 killing over one hundred eighty people and destroying property; he had been trained in the U.S. Arm Forces. McVeigh declared himself a soldier and a patriot. How does McVeigh’s theory of patriotism equate with the U.S. Government slant of patriotism?
McVeigh had reasoned that what was lacking in America was “patriotism” and he blamed the U.S. Government for eroding the rights giving to all Americans in the “Bill of Rights” and he believed the U.S. Constitution should be interpreted from the basis of original intent. This writer can recall the media initially blaming the Nation of Islam which is headed by Minister Louis Farrakhan as possibly having involvement in the Okalahoma City Federal building bombing. Although the Black Muslims had no relationships with so-called foreign Islamic extremist or homegrown extremist; it did not matter because in the government’s mind, the Nation of Islam’s controversial teachings since 1930 made them a prime suspect, as a possible dissident group potentially capable of either directly or in directly desiring to see America brought to her knees. However, the Black Muslim had no history of using violence against the United States Government.
The media then began to focus on so-called allege Middle Eastern Arabs as their suspects because surely the Arab Muslims had an ax to grind; after-all the U.S. Government had armed and financed the Zionist State Israel to the detriment of the Palestinians in particular and the entire Islamic world in general. When the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm (ATF), U.S. Marshal’s Service, etc., they were shocked to find out that their suspects were white and American. They could not imagine that this level of anti-American dissention existed internally in our nation and worst yet McVeigh had no relations with any of America’s foreign enemies. The Okalahoma City Federal building bombing sought of speaking caught America with her pants down and without the proper legal and military structure to deal with these high levels of anti-American sentiments.
The staging of 9/11 was strategically and tactfully crafted by some sophisticated minds that desired to ensure that the U.S. Government would have all the legal and military tools at her disposals to deal with all foreign and domestic enemies and there would not be any legal or political obstacles in their way in defining their enemies and bring them to American style justice. Perhaps McVeigh was a U.S. Government agent and all the said events were orchestrated by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) these type tricks are not above or beneath them. There is book authored by Ralph W. McGhee titled, “Deadly Deceits: My Twenty-Five Years in the CIA.” and McGhee wrote about the dirty tricks of the CIA. All of this could have brought us to 9/11 and the U.S. Patriot Act and the question of Civil Liberties, which we gave the U.S. Government a blank check to do what ever she pleases in the guise of National Security.
Many do not understand that these are dangerous times that we are living and this writer does not mean because the Western Governments have spooked us into believing that Arabs and Islam are our enemies. But I am here to tell you that our own government is our enemy and the one you should fear. This writer knows that some of this may come across as being unpatriotic WHAT EVER THAT MEANS, but someone must be willing to SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER. Bush has galvanized various agencies from law enforcement, academicians, legal professionals, etc., in order to study the concept of homegrown terrorism—from the social science perspective, as well as, to better understanding U.S. Jurisprudence and law relative to United States citizens committing acts of terrorism against the United States Government.
The homegrown so-called terrorist concern is centered on the U.S. Government failure to admit that Islam has developed and evolved as a major ideological religious school of thought in Christian America and has taking root throughout the United States, which is being disseminated pursuant to an enculturation process taking place amongst native born African American Muslims and their relationship with Middle Eastern Muslims. The religious bond they share transcends race and class (Islam as a religion seems to be the glue that holds these two distinct cultures together). Black Americans represent one of the largest non-Middle Eastern Islamic blocs in the United States and many of them each year are making Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and starting to visit other Islamic nations and societies. In some instance, there has been a forged alliance between Middle Eastern Muslims and African American Muslims. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency after 9/11 started all types of covert and overt surveillance aimed at monitoring Islam and Masjids across America, in particular in cities like Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Detroit, Michigan, New York City, San Francisco, California, Washington, D.C., etc., where there were large Middle Eastern and African American Muslims attending the same Masjids.
The United States Government has seen many Black Muslim sympathizers identifying with so-called Militant Radical Islam and who have become willing recruits for Militant Islam and joining their declaration of Jihad against the West. This writer in the past has heard Imam Jamil Abdullah EL-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown of the Black Panther Party and former Chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) deliver Jumuah services (Friday’s Congregation Prayer) in Atlanta in which he had a serious command of the Arabic language and their was a synthesizing of a bridging of cultures taking place under the banner of Islam between foreign Muslims and African American Muslims.
Imam Jamil AL-Amin (H. Rap Brown) was a target of the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover’s Cointelpro (U.S. Government Counter Intelligence Program) of the 1960s and 1970s because of his revolutionary activism during the turbulent Civil Rights era in the United States. He was charged and convicted of murdering a Cobb County Police officer in 2002 and is presently serving a life sentence at the Supermax Penitentiary in Colorado. Many believe that the FBI Cointelpro was ongoing and Imam AL-Amin was a victim of U.S. Government complicity. There are other high profile Imams like Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an African American Muslim who is well respected both in America and the Islamic world.
Look at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and other Federal Bureau of Prisons and military holding sites where innocent Muslims who are prisoners of war, but are being denied legal counsel and is not protected by our laws, as they are written in the United States Constitution or being allowed to come under international law as it was written in the Geneva Convention. Many of them have not even been formerly charged; their situation is a travesty of justice. Some of these Muslim/Arab prisoners are being illegally tried in U.S. Military Courts and U.S. Federal Courts without the benefit of international jurisprudence relevant to their legal status—PRISONERS OF WAR. It is extremely difficult for me to accept Bush’s view of patriotism in lieu of the injustices. Why hasn’t House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers done more to demand justice for the Muslim prisoners of war that are being housed in the belly of the beast?
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
By Fahim A. Knight-EL
This writer grew up in an era and attended public schools where between 8:15am and 8:30am every morning the principal of the various schools I attended would come on the public address (PA) system and recite “The Pledge of Allegiance” over the intercom and it was mandated that each student had to stand and place their right hand on their heart and turn towards the U.S. Flag which hung in every classroom and recite The Pledge of Allegiance. “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all.” and verbally recite this along with the principal. We also had to sing "My Country, ‘Tis’ of Thee.” This writer can not say that over the many years of going through this morning classroom ritual that it made me any more or less patriotic. I would later come to understand that this was an early form of conditioning our young impressionable minds, but even back then in elementary school I was questioning why we had to stand each morning to recite these words over and over again. My teacher would only say that we were Americans and it was important that we demonstrate patriotism and loyalty to our nation at all times.
“Patriotism: Wait one Damn Minute;” there is a lot of debate evolving around the question of Patriotism because initially Senator Barack Obama refused to wear the American flag on his coat lapel. Some have come to criticize Senator Barack Obama for initially not wearing the American flag on his lapel as though this outward symbol is the definitive determination in assessing one’s patriotism. This writer does not think one’s patriotism can be measured or properly assessed by an outwardly symbolic association. Obama as of late and from time-to-time has been wearing two flags, the United States and Israel. But wearing the Israeli flag on his lapel, is not viewed as anti-American. However, suppose Senator Barack Obama pinned a Palestinian flag on lapel; he would be deemed as being to cozy to a foreign enemy and would be rebuked for demonstrating poor judgment and he would be labeled unpatriotic.
Senator Obama has repeatedly said over and over that he is not a Muslim or follower of the religion of Islam. This writer takes him at his word and sees no reason to doubt his faith tradition. However, what bothers me is this unspoken notion of knowing that he is Christian creates this false sense of comfort—that it makes him more humane, just, trustworthy, loyal to America’s ideology and many thinks being a Christian would make him more patriotic and suitable to be the United States Commander-in-Chief, than if he was a Muslim. The New Yorker Magazine July 21, 2008 issue has a cartoon caricature of Senator Obama dressed in traditional Islamic garb and his wife Michelle Obama dressed like the former Black Panther Party members Assata Shakur, Angela Davis or Elaine Brown in the 1960s revolutionary Black Power struggles in America. These are clear examples of the arcade prejudices that permeate America’s history of bigotry and discrimination. The underline assumption is that Muslims are less patriotic than Christians, but why hasn’t the Southern Poverty Law Center and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) entered and injected some type of litigation on behalf of American Muslims. This writer knows why, they are legal arms of the Cabal and they to view Islam as the enemy.
This writer can recall under President Clinton’s Administration, Imam Warith Deen Mohammed (the son of Elijah Muhammad) on January 20, 1997, he read from the Muslim holy book, the Qur'an, at the Presidential Inauguration Day National Prayer Service. But recently Freshman Congressman (D-MN) Keith Ellison who is a Muslim and was elected to the House of Representatives from Minnesota in 2007 caught pure hell because of his religion. The discriminatory charge was led by a racist Congressman from Virginia named Virgil Goode who took issue with Congressman Ellison desiring to use the Holy Qur’an in a private swearing-in ceremony. This is why I have a problem with this patriotism talk, America is not in a moral position to judge or entertain the question of patriotism.
This writer considers himself to be a Conscientious Objector to war; in particular unjust wars such as the invasion of Panama, Grenada, Somali, Vietnam, Haiti, Falklands, Iraq, etc., People always ask me, do I support the United States troops in Iraqi? My answer, is always an emphatic no, because those who control the media and the thinking of the people desire for us to separate the U.S. Troops from those decision makers. The arm forces are the most vital arm in carrying out U.S. Foreign policy and securing its imperialistic positions around the world. This writer, in good conscious can not separate the tool from the brain-trust; although the tool (rank and file soldier) has no idea that they are fostering the political, economic and social objectives of individuals such as the Committee of 300 that do not share in their sentiments of patriotism.
Patriotism is defined as “a proud supporter or defender of his or her country and its way of life.” Patriotism is imbued in the poor and the ignorant while the rich and super Elitist is the beneficiaries of war that is fought by the proletariat in order that Elitist may continue reap the spoils of war from every corner of the earth. The DeBeers, Henry Kissinger, Rothschilds, and Rockefellers they do not believe in American patriotism or any other nation’s patriotic viewpoint. Their definition of patriotism do not allow room for critical evaluation and assessment of America’s social order and there has always been an internal movements to stifle debate; because true debate would prove to be counter productive to their goals and objectives. American patriotism is structured upon lies, half-truths and deceptions in order to inculcate the deepest sense of loyalty, fidelity, devotion, etc., to their schemes and condition the masses to never question their motives, which are based on the accumulation of wealth and power by any means necessary.
The Elitist of the United States has sold America to foreign interest—Asian Nations such as China and Japan virtually owns our country because our nation is for sell. Where is the patriotism in preserving the United States future for future generations? What is so patriotic about declaring war on the innocent and tiny nation of Iraq? In order to flex our military might while we steal Oil from the defensively people of Iraq and claim we are making the world more safer for democracy. How is murdering innocent people in Iraq considered to be patriotic? The war activist Cindy Sheehan is more of a patriot than most Americans because she openly opposed Bush and his unjust war; she stood as a voice of dissention. The American definition of patriotism is both hypocritical and double standard. President George Bush has repeatedly lied to the American public and he has U.S. Flags and other governmental symbols all around him and in my opinion, he is displaying patriotism without morality which is just like symbol without substance. President Bush has not lived up to the solemn Oath that he swore to on the Holy Bible, to up hold in 2000 and 2004.
The entire United States Congress and the President should be charged with treason and sedition for violating various aspects of the United States Constitution; for example, taxation without representation is tyranny; these governmental rogues and political gangsters don’t give damn about welfare of its citizens. They do not represent the interest of the American people, but champion the interest of a small and powerful Elitist Circle. I guess it is patriotic for the United States Government in 1913 to have surrendered our monetary system over to private bankers (Central Banks) in essence; the Federal Reserve Act is unconstitutional along with Internal Revenue Service. How many of these good American patriots have the audacity and political courage to propose a bill in Congress to repeal and rescind this demandable act? Those that control the printing of our currency and determine the national and international interest rates and the valuation or devaluation of our monetary system have a stranglehold on all of humanity including over those who are top level elected officials.
Patrick Henry said "give me liberty or give me death" surely taxation without representation is tyranny. Their patriotism is to the twelve Central Banks—that rules the entire planet: 1. Rothschild Bank of London, Rothschild Bank of Berlin, 2. Chase Manhattan Bank of New York (Rockefeller) Chase National bank of New York (Rockefeller). 3. First National Bank of New York. 5. Hanover National Bank of New York. 6. Goldman Sachs of New York. 7. Kuhn Loeb Bank of New York. 8. Lehman Brothers of New York. 9. Warburg Bank of Hamburg Warburg Bank of Amsterdam. 10. Lazard Brothers of Paris. 11. Israel Moses Seif Banks of Italy. 12. JP Morgan.
It was President Bush just a couple of years ago who was looking to sell the rights to the United States Ports over to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). How does this motive line-up with patriotism? After 9/11 the so-called terrorist were supposed to have been Middle Eastern Arabs; yet Bush was looking to turn over one of America’s most vital and strategic geographical regions of costal sovereignty to the Arabs, although some thought this move could have posed a serious security breech and compromise of America’s national security. This move sounded like a political contradiction—after-all he and the media had characterized the Arabs and Islam as being synonymous with terrorism.
President Bush since 9/11 had initiated all types of repressive legislation and actions under the banner of Homeland Security. He beefed up United States Boarder Patrol operations and United States Customs. The eastern seaboard is one of the regions of the country where imports and exports are received and moved across international waters. President Bush in desiring to sell U.S. Ports to this Oil wealthy Islamic State because he is bosom buddies with these reactionary monarch Arab governments and more importantly he felt comfortable with this proposition because he knew the real culprits behind the 9/11 hoax and understood best that they were not Arabs. This writer learned in middle school social studies classes that dissent was constitutional, but this writer can recall right after September 11, 2001 all debate was stifled in which academicians, activists, intellectuals, etc., were not allowed to critique or criticize the United States Government and the events evolving around 9/11.
This writer understood that the nation was mourning and trying to come to grips with the so-called 9/11 tragedy, which represented a lost of life and property, but the media had worked the ignorant masses into a frenzy and they became the first line of defense in this recent era of patriotism. The United States Flags were selling like hot cakes; I am quite sure the U.S. Flag makers and manufactures—probably were not American companies (many of the flags did not have the trademark made in the USA), but somebody made huge sums of money off the United States citizens emotionalism, which was disguise in patriotism.
Scholars were afraid to assess and evaluate lest they be called unpatriotic; thus, there were CNN, CBS, FOX News, ABC, NBC, BBC, etc., that were interviewing well known talking heads who perhaps had a differ of opinion but could not offer a dissenting opinion after 9/11 because of fear of being labeled unpatriotic. President Bush and the United States Government for close to two years functioned with minimum criticism and opposition which allowed him to circumvent the United States Constitution, reconstruct foreign and domestic policy—imposed many reactionary Executive Orders—Bush in fact rearranged the entire world while the American people were wrapped up in the sentimental values—passionately called patriotism. This writer equates patriotism with a sedative drug, it put the American people to sleep and they wouldn’t feel the pain after awakening to find out that their nation had been hijacked and truly American democracy had become something of the past. If the Truth be told Paul Warburg and the boys in the early 1900s started this erosion of democracy over one hundred (100) years ago.
President Bush literally transformed the United States into a TOTALITARIAN GOVERNMENT (this concept is far removed from patriotism—Bush should have been crowned with a new title DICTATOR BUSH) and post 9/11 the United States Constitution became a second tier document which was replaced by the United States Patriot Act (interpret to mean you have no rights). This is what happens when an inordinate amount of propaganda is allowed to make inroads and impact a society without critical opposition and Bush did not allow himself to have an alter-ego and he hid behind patriotism. The U.S. Congress was also duped, they rubber stamped during this time of so-called crisis the majority of Bush’s foreign and domestic policy initiatives. Many of them believed after 9/11 that the United States was in crisis and they had to show forth their patriotism by agreeing and passing legislation in support of the Bush Administration.
The United States Government since 9/11 has equipped itself with some powerful arsenal—the United States Justice Department just have to label you an Enemy Combatant and from that moment you have no legal rights; moreover Bush’s repressive acts and legislation were more aimed at the American people more so than the so-called foreign terrorist and as we were applauding the rounding up of so-called Arab radical militants; it never occurred to us that the intended victims would eventually be the American people. You all remember Timothy McVeigh, the good American boy that spearheaded the bombing of the Okalahoma City Federal building in 1995 killing over one hundred eighty people and destroying property; he had been trained in the U.S. Arm Forces. McVeigh declared himself a soldier and a patriot. How does McVeigh’s theory of patriotism equate with the U.S. Government slant of patriotism?
McVeigh had reasoned that what was lacking in America was “patriotism” and he blamed the U.S. Government for eroding the rights giving to all Americans in the “Bill of Rights” and he believed the U.S. Constitution should be interpreted from the basis of original intent. This writer can recall the media initially blaming the Nation of Islam which is headed by Minister Louis Farrakhan as possibly having involvement in the Okalahoma City Federal building bombing. Although the Black Muslims had no relationships with so-called foreign Islamic extremist or homegrown extremist; it did not matter because in the government’s mind, the Nation of Islam’s controversial teachings since 1930 made them a prime suspect, as a possible dissident group potentially capable of either directly or in directly desiring to see America brought to her knees. However, the Black Muslim had no history of using violence against the United States Government.
The media then began to focus on so-called allege Middle Eastern Arabs as their suspects because surely the Arab Muslims had an ax to grind; after-all the U.S. Government had armed and financed the Zionist State Israel to the detriment of the Palestinians in particular and the entire Islamic world in general. When the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Alcohol Tobacco and Firearm (ATF), U.S. Marshal’s Service, etc., they were shocked to find out that their suspects were white and American. They could not imagine that this level of anti-American dissention existed internally in our nation and worst yet McVeigh had no relations with any of America’s foreign enemies. The Okalahoma City Federal building bombing sought of speaking caught America with her pants down and without the proper legal and military structure to deal with these high levels of anti-American sentiments.
The staging of 9/11 was strategically and tactfully crafted by some sophisticated minds that desired to ensure that the U.S. Government would have all the legal and military tools at her disposals to deal with all foreign and domestic enemies and there would not be any legal or political obstacles in their way in defining their enemies and bring them to American style justice. Perhaps McVeigh was a U.S. Government agent and all the said events were orchestrated by Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) these type tricks are not above or beneath them. There is book authored by Ralph W. McGhee titled, “Deadly Deceits: My Twenty-Five Years in the CIA.” and McGhee wrote about the dirty tricks of the CIA. All of this could have brought us to 9/11 and the U.S. Patriot Act and the question of Civil Liberties, which we gave the U.S. Government a blank check to do what ever she pleases in the guise of National Security.
Many do not understand that these are dangerous times that we are living and this writer does not mean because the Western Governments have spooked us into believing that Arabs and Islam are our enemies. But I am here to tell you that our own government is our enemy and the one you should fear. This writer knows that some of this may come across as being unpatriotic WHAT EVER THAT MEANS, but someone must be willing to SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER. Bush has galvanized various agencies from law enforcement, academicians, legal professionals, etc., in order to study the concept of homegrown terrorism—from the social science perspective, as well as, to better understanding U.S. Jurisprudence and law relative to United States citizens committing acts of terrorism against the United States Government.
The homegrown so-called terrorist concern is centered on the U.S. Government failure to admit that Islam has developed and evolved as a major ideological religious school of thought in Christian America and has taking root throughout the United States, which is being disseminated pursuant to an enculturation process taking place amongst native born African American Muslims and their relationship with Middle Eastern Muslims. The religious bond they share transcends race and class (Islam as a religion seems to be the glue that holds these two distinct cultures together). Black Americans represent one of the largest non-Middle Eastern Islamic blocs in the United States and many of them each year are making Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia and starting to visit other Islamic nations and societies. In some instance, there has been a forged alliance between Middle Eastern Muslims and African American Muslims. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency after 9/11 started all types of covert and overt surveillance aimed at monitoring Islam and Masjids across America, in particular in cities like Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Detroit, Michigan, New York City, San Francisco, California, Washington, D.C., etc., where there were large Middle Eastern and African American Muslims attending the same Masjids.
The United States Government has seen many Black Muslim sympathizers identifying with so-called Militant Radical Islam and who have become willing recruits for Militant Islam and joining their declaration of Jihad against the West. This writer in the past has heard Imam Jamil Abdullah EL-Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown of the Black Panther Party and former Chairman of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee) deliver Jumuah services (Friday’s Congregation Prayer) in Atlanta in which he had a serious command of the Arabic language and their was a synthesizing of a bridging of cultures taking place under the banner of Islam between foreign Muslims and African American Muslims.
Imam Jamil AL-Amin (H. Rap Brown) was a target of the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover’s Cointelpro (U.S. Government Counter Intelligence Program) of the 1960s and 1970s because of his revolutionary activism during the turbulent Civil Rights era in the United States. He was charged and convicted of murdering a Cobb County Police officer in 2002 and is presently serving a life sentence at the Supermax Penitentiary in Colorado. Many believe that the FBI Cointelpro was ongoing and Imam AL-Amin was a victim of U.S. Government complicity. There are other high profile Imams like Imam Siraj Wahhaj, an African American Muslim who is well respected both in America and the Islamic world.
Look at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and other Federal Bureau of Prisons and military holding sites where innocent Muslims who are prisoners of war, but are being denied legal counsel and is not protected by our laws, as they are written in the United States Constitution or being allowed to come under international law as it was written in the Geneva Convention. Many of them have not even been formerly charged; their situation is a travesty of justice. Some of these Muslim/Arab prisoners are being illegally tried in U.S. Military Courts and U.S. Federal Courts without the benefit of international jurisprudence relevant to their legal status—PRISONERS OF WAR. It is extremely difficult for me to accept Bush’s view of patriotism in lieu of the injustices. Why hasn’t House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers done more to demand justice for the Muslim prisoners of war that are being housed in the belly of the beast?
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
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