Black Wall Street Journal, Volume 1, Issue 1

Shaharzad Ali

Inside

Houston Local News -- Page 2 Where Are We Now?

By Raaw’el Letrice Ware

Otherization & Human Rights

By Obidike N.Kamau, Ph.D.

The Community -- Page 3 Black Lives & Communities Matter

By Minister Robert Muhammad

No Excuses!

By Robert 7X Muhammad

Entertaimment -- Page 4 Genesis Blu & The Revelations

By Zipporjah Erby

“I Am Present”

By Latonia Muhammad ~aka~ magnificent

Cover Story -- Page 5

Shahrazad Ali

“Strengthening The Black Family”

Dr. Anderson

PowerNomics: The National Plan to Empower Black America

Classified Ads -- Page 6 Advertise With Us!

(316) 204-0870 National News -- Page 7 The Truth About Black History

By Ashahed M. Muhammad - The Final Call

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Where Are We Now?

self-education and author. FB, Twitter, YouTubeuser/msraaw (BA degree in Communication/Minor African Fear, ignorance, laziness, selfishness American Studies; Associate in Liberand conformity are the hindrances. al Arts/Science with a concentration Thus, the state of our families and our on Women’s Studies. Google to find children is self-inflicted illness and her or Email msraawel@gmail.com) death. Not only is genocide against us through population control strategies but black on black is the largest method by which we die. Why?

Otherization & Human Rights

By Raaw’el Letrice Ware The State of Black Americans Part One -by Raaw’el Letrice Ware Most of us are familiar with the Asante Adinkra symbol or the Akan, West African Sankofa bird and Proverb “se wo were fi na wosan kofa a yenki” - “it is not taboo to go back and fetch what you forgot.” Sankofa teaches us that we much return to our roots in order to see where we have come from, to know where we are, and to see clearly where we are going. Americanized African people were robbed and cut off from roots, culture and traditions; however, our ancestors left us bread crumb trails to find our Way back. Clues in songs and art have helped many of us to reconnect and uncover our Truth.

We are African people. It is sad to say that many of my brothers and sisters feel that being born in these United Snakes has determined that we are no longer “African”. Being born in a barn yard or stable would not make you a cow, a horse or pig so being born in America, for me, does not change my DNA, the melanin in my skin, the kinkiness of my loc-ed hair, the thickness of my lips nor the path that i take to live unapologetically African. Over a period of 400-500 years, some crackers got into the cookie jar it is true, turning sweet brown sugar to white, brown whole wheat to bleached flour and grade “A” maple colored women to saltines. Yet I say the dominate over recessive genes of my people will produce the lightest of the lights and the darkest of the darks - with that said we are God’s chosen African people which from us come all others. Most have forgotten.

By Obidike N.Kamau, Ph.D.

very devastating analysis was aimed, not at proving our humanity to ourselves, but rather at removing any question of our humanity from the minds of the white system that questioned it. Decades later, listening to Officer Darren Wilson refer to young Michael Brown as a ‘demon’and a ‘monster’, it would seem that the esteemed freedom fighter’s concern still holds some validity. Malcolm understood that human rights must necessarily precede civil rights. Non -humans after all, are not inherently expected to be treated civilly.

America’s willingness to classify us as less than, or as sub-human was formally documented as early as the U. S.Constitution, where we were classified as 3/5th human. This designation is supposedly acceptable, because it was used to determine how many members in the Houseof Representatives each of the original 13 states received. This was called a great compromise, which ultimately allowed enslaved Africans to be During his involvement in the counted and acknowledged while still Black American’s fight for free- denying them the rights and respondom and self-determination, sibilities ofcitizenship. Regardless of the several arguments the apoloMinister Hajj Malik el-Shabazz gists for the ‘founding fathers’use to was very critical of the Civil Rights justify this decision, it is clear, our Movement. One reason for his criti(Black American) humanity, cism was that the focus of this movement was in fact, civil, rather than could be, depending on white need, It is sad that many Africans have human rights. His stance was either bartered, negotiated or denied. come here today and assimilated so ridiculed or ignored by individuals Continued on Page 6 deeply into the Eurocentric culture in the movement, because to them and ideologies that only the exter- it was very clear that we are human. nal features leave evidence of who Minister Malcolm’s point was not they are; but even then skin bleach- aimed at convincing us; however, his ing, body sculpturing and an utter change in dialect, gestures, mannerism, and thinking eliminates external African traits. We have lost the Way, the Truth and the Light.

How do we “return to our roots” get it back and rebuild our nations?

Think about traveling. When one comes to a cross road or simply a distance away from our starting point, wisdom says stop to see where you are, note from what direction you came, get your bearings together so you can proceed in the right direction. Some of my people have not left the mental plantations. Some have come to cross roads and have not been able to move beyond that point.

There are some that have gotten free and not looked back to help others to (END) - Raaw’el is a speaker, busiget up, get out, and get something. ness owner of RISE, advocate of

Black Live & Communities Matter this picture and our reaction to it?

Robert S. Muhammad is the Student Minister of Muhammad Mosque No.45 Houston

What does it take for the Black community to realize how much this society devalues our lives and communities? Policemen gun down our children, while school districts

close down our schools. Grand juries no-bill our killers in secret proceedings, while Hollywood studio executives mock our leaders and actors behind closed doors. Government officials sanction torture of foreign enemy combatants, while torturing Black so called citizens like we are enemy combatants.

Banks and government deny us funds to rebuild our communities, while making finances available for “investors” to buy up our communities at tax foreclosure sale auctions.

Our children and our communities are being destroyed before our very eyes. Dear elders, what’s wrong with

and an urban planning and environmental policy expert. He is the host of KPFT’s Connect the Dots and KCOH’s Final Call to Community ACTION radio shows. Follow him on Twitter @dotsconnector

thinking. Individuals that think they can get away with such inappropriate behavior will no longer be tolerated.

The Holy Quran says oppression is worse than slaughter; BWSJ plans to expose these types of individuals with the power of the press. Dr. Perry Khepara Kyles and Ernestine Johnson you are being put on notice.

You purposely manufactured a lecture series called the Blueprint Conference to defraud and deceive the

Now is the time for us to have a sober, sane, and serious community dialogue about our future in America. Trust is something to be earned.

It should not be given away without some evidence of one’s worthiness to receive it. Why do we trust a people and a system devised to keep a numerical minority in power and wealth? Why are we so complacent and trusting that everything is going to be alright when evidence By Robert 7X Muhammad shows otherwise? We have waited 459 years for this society to treat us as equals under the law of God Black Wall Street Journal (BWSJ) and Man. How long is too long? monthly is a newsletter devoted to the social, economic and cultural upliftment and development of the global black community. BWSJ will use the power of the press to isolate and ostracize those who consciously betray the aspirations and liberation of black people. Today I call on the black conscious community to rise above emotions, blood relations and paternalistic relationships and stand on the princi- black community. This is inexcusable! pals of freedom, justice, equality, sister The black community is already and brotherly love that stems, from wounded and injured by white sua shared ideology. BWSJ calls on the people to be judge and jury against premacy and black inferiority. We in two of our own whose immoral and the community have entrusted you with a responsibility to be a guardian To the elders, this Joshua Gen- inappropriate behavior is inexcusable. of our faith and we trusted you with eration is not willing to wait another First we must examine our own that. As a community, we have sup459 years. Nor are they willing to individual integrity. We must hold ported your business, looked upon you choose an apologist leader to take us these individuals to a high stan- as leaders and educators; but you have back to Egypt. This generation is not dard of accountability. This is the betrayed us like Judas betrayed Jesus. afraid of the “giants” in the Promgroups’ responsibility in order for us BWSJ is looking forward to helping ise Land. These youth stood up to to maintain national solidarity. There drive hypocrisy and ill intent out of tanks and military might without fear is an unwritten law that says Uncle the house of the conscious commuin Ferguson, Missouri. At a certain Toms can come in the black com- nity. Let it be known, you have been point, even a cockroach will flee or munity and sow the seeds of distrust put on notice. No more excuses!! fight for its life. Perhaps it’s time for and disunity and avoid retribution us to make our Exodus or die trying. for their betrayal of black people. blackwallstjorunal@ Robert S. Muhammad is the Student BWSJ offers a solution to this type of gmail.com Minister of Muhammad Mosque No.45 FOR ADVERTISING CALL: Houston, Texas, the Southwest Regional Representative of the Nation of Islam,

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Genesis Blu & The Revelations

By Zipporjah Erby

When the world gets to meet Genesis Blu – oh, what a day.

Born on the same day as music icon Prince Nelson Rogers, June 7th, she is destined for greatness. In fact her sorority sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. refer to her as “The Entertainer”.

FEMALE SOULFUL HIP HOP ARTIST Born, raised and currently residing in Houston, TX, Genesis is in a realm all her own with a strong deeply rooted desire to push the limits of Soul Hip Hop back to its original source. The “Golden Age of Hip Hop” the era of: MC Lyte, Roxanne Shante and Lauryn Hill. “My goal, my vision, my passion is regeneration, restoration and relevancy.

There no other art form that impacts all people the way that music does. When I listen to the Golden Age of rap I feel enlightened and inspired. Often, when I listen to the Dark Age, this current era of hip hop there’s a hopelessness that ensues. As a youth advocate and

vixen. By day she entertains churches and students with “Relax”, an easy listening melodic tune inked to encourage creator of “No Bully Camp” I also delves into the spiritual am always seeking to be light.” aspect of life to grow and flow.

With the music, she has a At night, the vixen steps in large platform to engage, educate and create change. with diva wit to tell them off in “No Cuddling”. “No CudPositioned at the dling” a fan favorite, is a lyribeginning like cal anthem, a declaration that the rising anyone with relationship issues of the can relate to. It most definitely sun sets the party off. or Everything that Genesis is the and all that she stands for is to activate, relate, enhance, educate and heal. Best believe it will be done! mys- ZPR Music Management 347.788.1798 tical Phoenix rising from the ashes, GenSpoken Word esis comes to rule, reign and begin anew in Hip Hop a genre she loves. Waxing poetically, Genesis is well loved, “everybody loves me” she states.

Beloved she is, as winner of “Matthew Knowles Music World Artist Showcase & $50K Singles Deal” which was held at the House of Dereon early 2014.

THE RHYMES THE RHYTHM Genesis taking Soul Hip Hop to the beginning is multifaceted. The manifestation is similar to a librarian and a Telling our stories & keeping us informed!

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“I Am Present”

By Latonia Muhammad ~aka~ magnificent

I am present

My soul bleeds through the ink in my pen.

Untainted vibrations spilled in the color red on my college ruled paper.

Generated from source of spiritual paper.

As I practice the Law of Allowing/every step feels like De je vu.

Confirmation that my life is where is needs to be/ on the proper track.

Developing a confident from the inner sanctum of the first atom that sparked in the darkness of my mother’s womb/I am my own first poem/my passion/ my vibe/ my authentic style was divinely engraved in the life force of my father sperm.

I was here in the beginning/ I’ll be here in the end/ November 16 is not my birthday/it’s the day the Originator assigned me to come forth as “The Brightness of the Day” I am present. ~magnificent

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Shahrazad Ali “Strengthening The Black Family” Parents Should Have Told You,” and “How Not To Eat Pork,” and a handy manual called “Urban Survival.”

Other relationships, the psychological impact of slavery, social responsibility, diet and survival are valid topics Sister Ali clearly addresses in her books.

Sister Shahrazad Ali is a former freelance writer originally from Cincinnati, Ohio via Atlanta, Georgia, who has been writing for over 35 years specializing in social issues affecting Blacks in America. She has earned numerous awards and citations for her literary contributions and for community involvement in helping to improve the life and diet of African-American families. She is now one of the nation’s most dynamic speakers, a best selling author, independent publisher and social activist.

Sister Ali, has been the featured guest on multiple talk shows for over 20 years and is currently a regular panelist on the popular HLN’s Dr. Dr on Call and national television, as an outspoken Social Commentator specializing in race relations.

Almost singlehandedly this sister’s presence has pushed the Dr. Drew show into national prominence with high ratings.

Her clear voice and firm opinions have penetrated the radio airways for over 15 years, and she has been written about in over 1,000 newspapers and magazines nationwide including Newsweek, Today, ESSENCE, The New York Times, EBONY, The Washington Post, The London Times, and the Final Call.

She continues a busy schedule of lectures and interviews.

uses to thrill and mesmerize audiences of all nationalities.

She is both respected and admired in America and abroad.

Sister Ali, is a wife, mother, and grandmother who continues her work to enhance the quality of life for African Americans and other people of color.

Building Competitive Communities This nation will be color-blind when Whites proclaim their Black blood like they proclaim Indian and European lineage.

By Dr. Claud Anderson A group’s ability to compete is determined by its internal cohesiveness and self-interest. Black Americans must therefore build functional communities within which they can ethno-aggregate then practice group economics and group politics. A functional community can best be defined as a grouping of people who come together and organize Sister Ali has a proven track for their own self-interest rather than Her title of being “the Mother of the Black Book Explo- record for being an outspoken misdirected altruistic interests. Once sion” is gleamed from her 1990 and enormously entertaining built, whether based upon geographical boundaries, ethnic or racial comblockbuster hit “The Black- guest with global notoriety. monalties, a community cares for the man’s Guide to Understanding She is recognized for her trade- collective interests of its members. the Blackwoman,” plus “Are You mark high-top crown hats and Building our own communities will Still A Slave?” and “Things Your colorful wardrobe, which she allow Black Americans to become

economically and politically competitive, but will also give us something we have never had- a chance to compete from the vantage point of our own physical space, cultural values, resources, intuitions and history.

For the first time, we will be free to organize and work in our own best interest rather than the interest of a universe of ethnic and class competitors.

Historically, societies were built upon three institutions that served as pillars-the family, the church and the community. True communities are communities of mind and physical structures within a space. Both are important, but no traditional society built on land that it did not own or control, has been successful or prospered. Neither the landless European serfs nor the landless Jews, under the Pharaohs of Egypt were able to do it. For this reason, Black Americans need a solid Continue on Page 7

Jobs

Continued fron Page 2

Otherization & Human Rights

Unfortunately, we are not the only group whose humanity has been called into question.

In fact, mankind, on both individual and group levels engages in the practice ofdehumanization so regularly that we often speak of ‘man’s inhumanity to man’. We see it everywhere, all over the world. It is demonstrated in how women are treated; in how immigrants are treated in what seems like every country.

Mankind has developed the terrible tendency of creating ‘the other’. ‘The other’is a peculiar entity, a specific group made relevant by their ability to demonstrate the worthiness and superiority of at least the defining

group. ‘The other’shows how deplorable the attitudes and behaviors of his non-favored class are. They also allow these characteristics to justify whatever is done to the offending group. Whatever happens to them is admissible, simply because they are members of the offending assembly. It is permissible to discriminate against them, to deny them both rights and privileges, to ceaselessly jail, and if necessary, murder them indiscriminately.

This inclination to create the other is not only exhibited by the ruling class or ‘race’. It is clearly a human tendency, engaged in by groups and individuals in all cultures, and it is both intra-group and inner-group. It takes on added seriousness when it is practiced by the dominant culture, however, because this culture has the ability both de facto and de juris to add the attribute of dehumanization to otherness. The dominant culture can actually have the ability to commit genocide. The consequence of being the other can range from simple dislike all the way to excessive imprisonment, or unfortunate, but regular deaths. The ultimate otherness happens in a war, where it becomes permissible for one group to kill as many of the fertile, potentially productive young men of another group as possible.

Read Part 2 Next Month

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The Truth About Black History

Black Wall Street: Can a historic example help birth a new Black economic reality?

By Ashahed M. Muhammad -Assistant Editor- The Final Call | Jun 4, 2014

Continued from Page 5

Building Competitive Communities

foundation of communities upon which to begin empowering ourselves.

Like Moses, we must begin to build physical communities and maintain a strong sense of community. Moses used his vision of the promised land to mobilize his people for a 40 year journey to a land upon which Jews built functional communitiesfamilies, religious institutions, commerce, schools and a strong sense of a community.

Boundaries Lines: The New “Color Line”

Bombs were dropped in America in 1921 but they weren’t part of an aerial attack by a foreign invader, they were incendiary devices dropped by those intent on destroying a prosperous Black community in the Greenwood section of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and removing any traces of what resourceful Black people had accomplished.

Because of the racial discrimination prevalent at the time, Blacks were relegated to limited areas for shopping and land ownership. According to the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, the area, also known as “Little Africa” encompassed over 400 businesses and housed 11,000 residents. Residents included welleducated Blacks who were doctors, lawyers and had earned advanced degrees.

However anyone desiring to obtain an education, start a business, raise a family or anything other than

servitude was a threat to the existing White social, economic and political order.

“The Blacks who struggled and prospered in Oklahoma’s Black Wall Street knew an intense form of segregation which many of us today could not fathom,” said author and economist Cedric Muhammad. “That painful reality created a circumstance of suffering and limited freedom which forced a level of unity and social cohesion that laid a foundation for economic independence. The entire community-regardless of class, ideology or status-found itself bound together in the same condition,” he added.

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Nearly a century ago, W.E.B. Du Bois accurately proclaimed that the color line would be the problem of the 20th century. It’s a new millennium now, and it is becoming clear that the problem of the 21st century will be community boundary lines. America is Balkanizing along racial, ethnic, economic and religious lines. Across America, groups are aggressively seeking territory or communities in which they can store their wealth, resources, and political power to enjoy and preserve for their future generations. As noted earlier, Hispanics for example, are assembling their economic and political intentions behind their Spanish language and culture.

They intend to use both to capture territory, rights, and a political base within the United States. (1) The practice of seeking territory for communities will intensify as more and more people from around the world immigrate to America.

They come to America in search of a better quality of life, not to integrate with Whites or to get along with

Black Americans. They are coming to this country to get ahead economically and to find wealth and fortune.

They commit themselves to competing with any and all groups economically and politically on behalf of themselves, their families and their native countries. Typically, their initial destination is close to own or within Black neighborhoods. They have learned from official and unofficial sources they can find great opportunities in Black neighborhoods.

Within Black neighborhoods, ethnic immigrants expect to find the least expensive housing, lax enforcement of laws and regulation and little business competition. They also find readily accessible consumers, government assistance, easy access to elected officials and employment opportunities. Though they are aware of the crime problem in Black neighborhoods, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. They find territory and build communities.

As ethnics fill in business voids in Black neighborhoods with a modicum of success, they begin to practice ethno-aggregation. They bring in and aggregate their families and others from their native lands. They then develop more businesses in Black neighborhoods. As they capture territory, they establish powerful economies and political organizations, using their ethnic culture, language and religion as their common ground.

Watching how these new arriving immigrants use a sense of community to build social and economic power-bases should be instructional for Black Americans. It takes a fully functional community to raise a child and to raise up a competitive race of people.

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