Peace be upon you

Anyone that has lived, or spent an extended amount of time "up north", Philly, NYC, Newark, etc., has seen the brothers of the N.O.I. They walk for miles calling out "FINAL CALL" to the masses with their newspapers in one hand, a fresh bean pie in the other, sporting a crisp cut and a bow-tie.
 

Courtesy of Reformed Blacks of America

But many don't know, nor understand, what the N.O.I. is, and why people choose to join their organization. I can only give my opinion in the latter matter, so please take it as just that, MY OPINION.


What is the N.O.I.?


The N.O.I. is an acronym for the Nation of Islam. A religious organization, based off of Islam and the teachings of a man named Master W. Fard Muhammad.


Courtesy of the Final Call

Excerpt from the Nation of Islam's website:

On July the Fourth, the day of America's Independence celebration, He [Master W. Fard Muhammad] announced the beginning of His mission which was to restore and to resurrect His lost and found people, who were identified as the original members of the Tribe of Shabazz from the Lost Nation of Asia. The lost people of the original nation of African descent, were captured, exploited, and dehumanized to serve as servitude slaves of America for over three centuries. His mission was to teach the downtrodden and defenseless Black people a thorough Knowledge of God and of themselves, and to put them on the road to Self-Independence with a superior culture and higher civilization than they had previously experienced.

I believe that the highlighted phrases are what attract Black American people to the N.O.I. These are good things, and the reasons why my brothers and sisters choose to join the N.O.I. ranks.

F.O.I. (Fruit of Islam)



Courtesy of Photo Bucket

 

Courtesy of Gordon Parks



In my opinion, the N.O.I is so desirable to Black Americans, because it give us a culture not given by the same people that have caused us harm in the past. It's not an affront to Christianity, as many would believe, and I even know many participants that attend both church and mosque.


What the N.O.I. does is loves you, and teaches you how to love yourself, despite the self hatred you have learned. They make you feel that not only is your blackness beautiful, but it is desired. They force you to take all of your pain, hurt and mistrust, and turn it into creativity, intelligence, innovation and inner strength. N.O.I restores the pride and self esteem that:

slavery

Source: Illinois Times

Jim Crow Laws

Source: Silver People Chronicle

  lynchings

Source: Black Hawk

cross burnings

Source: Digital Journal

church bombings

Source: Desiring God

discrimination

Source: Gordon Parks

segregation

Source: Wine & Bowties

forced poverty

Source: Poverty and Hunger

... rape, drugs, alcohol, medical experiments, forced sterilization and piracy takes from any person.

I'm no longer a part of the N.O.I. because of conflicting personal views and beliefs. However, I do support uplifting my Black American people, the lost tribe in the wilderness of North America.

No matter what struggle I face in this life, my umi (mother in Arabic) said to shine my light on the world.

Thank you Yasiin Bey. You said it all.


Asa lama lakum