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Page 4, AC Phoenix, Jan 1994
ACCORDING TO
IRMA
The Book; THE RELIGION
OF ISLAM AND THE
NATION OF ISLAM: WHAT
IS THE DIFFERENCE? written
by Mustafa EI-Amin, a former
member of the Nation of Islam
and now a follower of the Religion
of Islam, educates on the disparity
between the two religions.
While the book points out the
strengths for both religions, one
finds that the strength for each lies
in different areas even though both
claim the Koran as their Holy
Book. The Nation of Islam(NOI) is
a jingoistic religion in that it takes
the militant stance in advancing its
belief in the superiority of the so-
called Negroes of America. The
superiority claim puts forth the
will of Allah as one of preference
towards the so-called Negro.
NOI’s strengths actually lie in its
area of advancing through
prophecy and history, the nobility
of African-Americans. In
promotion of that notion, it
intentionally builds the self
esteem, racial pride, and self-
respect of the African lost in
America for himself, and who can
argue with that which feeds those
who are hungry in that area?
The negativity of the religion is
that it crushes the persona of
others to achieve its end, which is
the elevation of the Africans in
America. The strengths of the
Religion of Islam lies in its strictly
following the principle of the
Koran of all men being creations
of Allah, created m nobility and
intelligence. The Religion of
Islam's teaching reflects the
Creator’s high destiny for all and
cannot be misinterpreted or
misused to uphold iniquity by false
teaching of superiority.
Nation of Islam's intentions for
the Africans in America are indeed
noble ones which should not be
totally discounted. Its desire to
elevate members of its race stand
to be acknowledged for its efforts
and successes at doing so. being
careful not to lead astray souls
who hungrily follow for the
satisfaction of feeling reborn as
dignified persons of nobility and
greatness through love of self.
The author's effort to educate
on the specifics of each religion
are very well advanced and
informative and a must for those
still seeking further knowledge on
religious denominations.
T H E
MISEDUCATION
OF THE NEGRO by
Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950),
represents one of the most
important writings of our time
written to Blacks living in
America. First published in 1933,
the book is prophetic and
timeless in its reference to the
state of emergency surrounding
blacks living in America.
Woodson recognized in his day,
and pointed out a tactic still in
use today. It is the successful
tactic of controlling a man's life
and community, generation after
generation, by controlling his
thinking, which in turn controls
that man's actions. Directly from
the book comes these words
"when you control a man’s
thinking, you do not have to tell
him not to stand here or go
yonder. He will find his "proper
place" and will stay in it. You do
not need to send him to the back
door. He will go without being
told. In fact, if there is no back
door, he will cut one for his
special benefit. His education
makes it necessary."
Miscducation of the Negro is
a book which should be a required
text for us as a people. Woodson
emphasizes the need for service
within our communities rather than
leadership roles. He targets our
misinformed educators and other
professionals who believe that
success means leaving their
communities after being educated,
or "miseducated", if you will,
rather tidn using acquired
knowledge in service of those
communities, helping to elevate
SPECIAL OCCASION
Afro American Cultural Headquarters
Books for and about Blacks
Greeting Cards Note Cards Collectibles
Figurines >VeddiDg Stationery & Accessories
Church Supplies Robes Bibles Hymnals Furniture
Greek Paraphernalia
112 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Winston-Salem, NC 27101
(Near Winston-Salem State University)
(910) 724-0334 /1-800-321-3046 Owners: Ed & Miriam McCarter
others.
This forceful book speaks to us
all and definitely should be a part
of every Black family's literature.
Read it and leam.
Available at Special Occasions
Book Store on Martin Luther
King Blvd., for S9.95
i.. 'X
Irma Taylor
Winston-Salem, NC
OUT
OF
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READ!
Local Poet
Published in National
Anthology
Irma Lawson of Winston-
Salem, NC. has just had original
poetry published in The Coming
of Dawn, a treasury of today's
poetry complied by The
National Library of Poetry. The
poem is entitled "Racism
Stands Still." and the main
subject is racism. The National
Library of Poetry seeks to
discover and encourage poets
like I'ma Lawson by sponsoring
contests that are open to the
public and by publishing poems
in widely distributed hardback
volumes. Ms. Lawson has been
writhing for 15 years and her
favorite subjects and ideas are
to present issues of mankind
and feelings. Poet interested
in publication may send one
original poem, any subject or
style, 20 lines or less, to The
National Library of Poetry,
11419 Cronridgc Drive #10,
P.O. Box 704NR, Owings
Mills , Maryland 21117.
Please be sure to include your
name and address with your
poem.
All poenis received are also
entered in The National Library of
Poetry’s North American Open
Poetry Contest, which awards over
S 12,000 in prizes annually.
COMMENTARY
The book Mlseducation of the
Negro tells us in concrete terms
that we no longer should allow our
reality to be defined for us Reality
is a stale of mind and becomes
whatever an individual makes of
it. We need to leam to think for
ourselves using the inner dignity
and strength given to each and
every one by the Creator. We
should leam to work together in
order to unlearn past erroneous
lessons in order to lead beneficial
lives, thus emerging as a dignified
people. As the book instructs, the
efTort must begin with us to help
us as a race, beginning from
whatever present situation we find.
"Injustice Any Where Is A Threat To Justice Everywhere"
JIMMY THE GREEK
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