The Nation of Islam is defined as "a religious and political organization founded in the United States in 1930 with a declared aim of resurrecting the spiritual, mental, social and economic condition of the Black man and woman of America and the world." When the Nation of Islam was formed, Nationalism for people of African descent was nothing new. Yet the Nation was a great step in bringing the Black Nationalist Movement to the forefront of American society. Although the organization dealt with its share of controversy, they maintained strength and continued to go up until the mid nineteen seventies. When tragedy struck the organization, major changes were implemented that destroyed the Nation as the Black Islamic community knew it. Unhappy with the changes, Nation of Islam National Spokesman Louis Farrakhan decided to restart the organization in 1978. He felt that the Black Islamic community should continue to live by the teachings of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad; looking at the membership, the community agreed. Since the late seventies Minister Louis Farrakhan has worked tirelessly to not only rebuild the Nation but to also elevate it above its previous greatness.
[...] Historical texts now describe The Million Man March as African American march of protest and unity convened by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan in Washington, DC on October 16, 1995.”[xxvi] With one million in attendance, the march was largest mass demonstration in the history of the county.”[xxvii] Yet, from those who planned the event and attended it, it was much more than that. At the event, voting registration was taking place as well as other processes to encourage political activity. [...]
[...] Besides agreeing with this sentiment, Farrakhan speaks about the man-only event in a historical context: “since our women have borne the brunt of our ignorance and carried us for 400 years we ask our women if they will finally let us take the front line.”[xxix] From that perspective, Farrakhan is taking a very honest look at history and the role of Black men and women within the family structure. During slavery, Black males were emasculated while Black women were put into dominant roles of care-taker for white families, as well as their own. [...]
[...] The Nation was in favor of Separatism and even “made an appeal for a separate state, but if a separate state was not obtained, they demanded equal employment opportunity and justice for African Americans.”[iii] Far more detailed than these broad statements, the Nation comprised a document stating their official program and position as an organization. One person that strongly adhered to their program and wanted to be a member of the group was a man by the name of Malcolm Little. [...]
[...] “Whereas Minister Louis Farrakhan believed that the Nation of Islam should spiritually, politically, and economically uplift African Americans, Imam W.D. Muhammad wanted to spiritually uplift all people regardless of race.”[viii] Both men were strong in their beliefs and continued on their separate paths. Wallace with the WCIW, Farrakhan with the rebuilding of the Nation in 1978. In 1981, Minister Louis Farrakhan officially announced the restoration of the Nation of Islam. Although “only two high NOI officials joined Farrakhan when he broke away from Wallace,” he did not get deterred. [...]
[...] These problems included HIV/AIDS and “drug-infested public housing units,” among other pressing issues.[xxi] They weren't just talking about making changes or waiting for the police to do something; instead they took matters into their own hands. In small groups they patrolled housing projects and “within a matter of weeks, the units were cleared of the drug dealers.”[xxii] The community was grateful to the Nation and “even local police had to acknowledge the good work” members of the Nation were doing.[xxiii] The 1990s also saw the Nation of Islam stepping further into the political arena. [...]
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