Donald Sterling's racist remarks: Moors Respond

Ironically, Magic Johnson and other commentators mentioned that the racist comments made by Donald Sterling, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, was a “black eye” on the league. His statement underscores the reality that even in his and their mind “black” has negative connotations in particular instances. How do they distinguish between the seemingly higher and lower self of “black”? Or do they distinguish? Also the use of “black” as a noun rather than an adjective is problematic for many reasons, i.e., “those blacks” as opposed to ” those black people”.

Human beings are more appropriately known by their nationality not colors. A particular nation of people may run the gamut of skin color and ethnicity. The term, for “black” Americans is as an adjective scientifically inaccurate regardless of how emotionally attached “black” people are to the term “black”. Very few, if any, “African-Americans” are literally black…though some of their forefathers and mothers may have been.

I’m reminded of the light olive complexioned “black” couple (light-skinned black is oxymoronic) who were Black Studies professors that retired to West Africa. Their feelings were very much hurt that the people in that part of West Africa didn’t consider them “black” and referred to them by an indigenous term that equated to “white”.

Being that most “black” people, particularly in America are not literally black, when they refer to themselves as such what are they really saying? They seem to be saying that we are those that identify with those of our ancestors that were literally black-skinned and we are therefore black too by default…but they also are saying we are those that have shared the dehumanizing “black” experience in America.

Donald Sterling's racist remarks: Moors Respond

Moor vs. Moroccan

Key 14: Why are we Moorish Americans? Because we are descendants of Moroccans and born in America.

Some may ask the question then why aren’t we Moroccan Americans? It’s simple. The name Moor is much older than the name Moroccan, and we are an Ancient people. Act 6 states that the Moorish Americans are the descendants of the Ancient Moabites, who inhabited the Northwestern and Southwestern shores of Africa.  The Prophet was a man who understood not only the historical context, but also the art of linguistics. Namely, the fact that the term Moroccan truly makes us sound foreign to this land, and native solely to Morocco. While Moor or Moorish relates more to the old linguistics when the world was thought of not as Countries and continents but rather as Kingdoms and Empires.

Moor is more relatable to us as a people by others outside of our own nation and race. Moor is a term that to others outside of our race denotes Olive dark skin, wooly hair, and African descent. This is evident when we look at the laws of Virginia from the late 1600s and early 1700s. For example below we have an act from October 1705-Chapter XLIX. An act concerning Servants and Slaves which reads:

“XI. And for a further Christian care and usage of all Christian servants, Be it also enacted, by the authority aforesaid, and it is hereby enacted, That no Negros, mulattos, or Indians, although Christians, or Jews, Moors, Mahometans, or other infidels, shall, at any time, purchase any Christian servant, nor any other, except of their own complexion, or such as are declared slaves by this act: And if any negro, mulatto, or Indian, Jew, Moor, Mahometan, or other infidel, or such as are declared slaves by this act, shall, notwithstanding, purchase any Christian white servant, the said servant shall, ipso facto, become free and acquit from any service then due, and shall be so held, deemed, and taken: And if any person, having such Christian servant, shall intermarry with any such negro, mulatto, or Indian, Jew, Moor, Mahometan, or other infidel, every Christian white servant of every such person so intermarrying, shall, ipso facto, become free and acquit from any service then due to such master or mistress so intermarrying, as aforesaid.”

Notice that there is no mention of the term Moroccan because our people who were here at that time weren’t using that term to describe themselves.  Moor on the other hand is a term that has been associated with us as a people for far longer than even the term black and Negro. In fact, Black as a term denoting to us as a people isn’t even used in the law as a descriptor.

The Prophet being fully aware of these things and understanding that the term Moor ties us to an Ancient people that we just happen to be descendant from and politically tied to is preferable to the term Moroccan, which for us would be limiting and, I believe, covetous. It would also give Morocco the state the ability to deny us as its citizens as we can’t prove that we are from that particular country, but what we can prove is that we are the descendants of the OLD Moorish/Moroccan Empire by its dominion and inhabitation which extended from Northeast to southwest Africa, across the Great Atlantis, also the present North, South, and Central America and also Mexico and the Atlantis Islands.

This I believe was the downfall of a great Moorish American in Grand Sheik Frederick Turner El. The adoption of a foreign name such as Moroccan led to a more foreign mindset. We believe that the Great Grand Sheik took his eyes off of the domestic affairs and through his newly formed Moroccan organization focused too much on International Affairs. By the time he raised his head again his numbers had dwindled from thousands to a few, and there was a new rival on the scene with an idea focused solely on domestic affairs and what was going on in the community and nation, which was none other than the Nation of Islam. G.S. Frederick Turner El moved away from the term Moor and Moorish American and chose to be known as a Moroccan American and thus suffered the loss of the ear of the people.

Prophet, Noble Drew Ali gave us a name with value and context in Moorish American: Descendants of Moroccans, but not Moroccans, and born in America. We are Moorish Americans; A new nation descendant from an Ancient Empire founded by the Moors. You are today what your forefathers and foremothers were without a doubt or contradiction: NAMELY MOORISH.

Peace,

Mahdi L. McCoy El

Moor vs. Moroccan

7 Questions… Shafiq Husayn

Moor 7 Questions…

 

1. Where are you from Moor?…tell us a little bit about your background?

Islam, Praise Allah & Honors to His Holy & Divine Prophet Noble Drew Ali. I’m originally from Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to California. My mother married my stepfather, who was in the Air Force, so I grew up on U.S. Air Force bases in an early part of my life and time in California. We settled in Los Angeles in the 70′s. By the early 80′s around the age 11, I got into Hip Hop (mainly DJing & MCing & sports. By my teens I was traveling back & forth to New York and became a part of the Universal Zulu Nation, and at that time I was starting to get into Beat-Making. My production was my first group called “The Nike Kings” We had a 12′ out called “Dropping Bombs” & Listen To The Light” We were signed to Ice T’s Rhyme Syndicate on Sony Records. I later went on to produce Ice T, King Tee, Lord Finesse, Prince, Duran Duran, Jurassic 5, Erykah Badu, Common, Jill Scott, Herbie Hancock and many others. I’m also part of a group called Sa-Ra. Members consist of Taz Arnold (TISA) Om’Mas ( Grammy Winner – Frank Ocean) and I also won a Grammy in 2013 for the R & B album of the Year (Robert Glasper-Black Radio).

2.What is the name of the project and how did you arrive at that name? Give us the science on the name.

The name of the new album is ” The L∞P”= Loves Infinite Power or The Love LP.

3.Why demonstrate on Love?

I felt that this is the perfect time to make an album that I could demonstrate from a creative perspective, music that could capture the “The Love Vibration” in a way that hasn’t been done in a while. The Prophet Noble Drew Ali teaches us that we need to learn to love instead of hate, in that order, then I felt it was only right to create this album with that state of mind as well.

4. You said that as you were completing your last project you were just recently coming into the Moorish Science Temple of America. Giving it’s been five years since your last musical offering, how is The Loop different from En’ A Free Ka?

Well, There are a few similarities and differences. The similarities are subtle, say like: The beat making process on En’ A Free Ka was made with some of the same equipment, vocalists, musicians studios, etc. It was a lot more raw & experimental, being that was my first solo album. The L∞P is a little more focused and a little more in the live musician vibe. The writing is a little more progressive than the En’ A Free Ka as well. I’ve gone thru a lot changes since En’ A Free Ka, and 5 years in the Temple to shake off certain thoughts and actions. Life is the best teacher.

5. I know you mentioned that your music is not overtly Moorish, explain what you mean by that and how do you then view your music from the perspective of propagating the faith?

I’m obviously a Moor and I make music. So with that in mind, I didn’t feel I needed to approach this album with the “overt” Moorish theme as I did on En’ A Free Ka, but it still is Moorish in the state of the making of this “The L∞P”. That’s the beauty about creativity, you don’t have to repeat things over when you can evolve and dredge new rivers and build new ships. You can take a concept that seems complex and make it digestible. That’s the Alchemy of music.

6. This is Moorish Science so describe for us your approach to making music…the elements you choose to include and your overall musical theory.

Thought is the cause of it all. Music is from the Throne/ Kingdom within. With our lessons in Moorish Science, you can see how spirit/vibrations/thoughts creates sound and effects matter. I draw from all types of resources to come up with my music. Digital, Analog, sticks, bricks, ticks, conversations, observation, records, books, good & bad life experiences.

7. Economic security is an integral component of Islamism as taught by Noble Drew Ali, so an independent artist, how do music artists in 2014 make money on their music? What is your modus operandi with respect to marketing, promoting, and distributing this project?

As an independent artist I have seen many new ideas come to fruition thru the use of the internet & social networking. Marketing has not changed in this day and age too much, just the interfaces. Everybody has a Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram just like entertainers or any other professionals in diverse industries…which means equal access for all.

7 Questions… Shafiq Husayn

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Holy Instruction and Warnings For All Young Men -- Commentary

The Holy Koran of the Moorish Science Temple of America

Chapter 20

Holy Instruction and Warnings For All Young Men

A Commentary

 

“The Moorish Science Temple of America deriving its power and authority from the Great Koran of Mohammad to propagate the faith and extend the learning and the truth of the Great Prophet of Ali, in America…to establish the faith of Mohammad in America” (Back Cover of Koran Questions For Moorish Americans)

“ We believe in, and foster the Moslem religion. We believe in the principles of its teachings insofar as they can be adopted to American life.” (The Moorish Guide, October 26, 1928)

The following excerpts were taken from, “Note On Article 9 Of The Statute Of The Permanent Court Of International Justice And The Position Of The Moslem Legal System And The Moslem Civilisation Among The Main Forms Of Civilisations And Principle Legal Systems Of The World Presented By The Delegations Of The Moslem States Of The Near East” :

“The Moslem legal system is a system of unquestionable originality. Its autonomy is evident, as a legal system largely governed by the distinctive character of a social community very different from that in which other legal systems have reached normative maturity.” (pg. 384)

“The International Congress on Comparative Law which was held at The Hague in 1932 decided that Moslem Law is an entirely independent source of comparative law. In 1938 when the question of the relationship between Roman Law and Moslem Law was brought to the consideration of the Second Congress on Comparative Law, the Congress stated explicitly that Moslem Law was an autonomous legal system which did not depend on other established systems.” (pg. 384)

“Thus, Moslem legislation translates in a truly remarkable way all social transformations required by the development and progress of the Moslem community, welcoming certain pre-Islamic institutions, correcting numerous points of the pre-existing Law and lastly, formulating new principles in consideration of the needs and aspirations of Islamic society.” (pg. 384) 

“We have sent among you a Messenger of your own to recite Our revelations to you, purify you and teach you the Book and wisdom, and to teach you what you did not know.” (2:151 Great Koran of Mohammad)

1.  Beware, young man, beware of all the allurements of wantonness, and let not the harlot tempt the to EXCESS in her delights. (my emphasis)

The first warning the Noble Drew Ali gives to all Moorish American young men is one against having a lack of restraint in sexual matters. He instructs these young men not to overindulge in the pleasures of prostitutes, common women or cheats. (harlot-Webster 1913) Hmmm…a prophet of Allah warning against overindulgence but not promoting abstinence until marriage?  Is he not endorsing adultery? Remember, Moorish American Moslems are citizens of the USA. “Dating”, inclusive of pre-marital sex is lawful and socially acceptable in America, even considered ‘normal’.  Therefore, the prophet is “formulating new principles in consideration of the needs and aspirations of Islamic society”. It may be considered new from the perspective of the people of the Book but it’s the old-time religion nevertheless.  Many current American Islamic communities are grappling with the challenge of reconciling Islam with American life. They should be delighted to know that an American born prophet, Noble Drew Ali, did just that. Moderation, temperance and prudence are recurring themes in the Moorish Holy Koran.

2. The madness of desire shall defeat its own pursuits; from the blindness of its rage, thou shalt rush upon destruction.

Noble Drew Ali is not simply a “Thou shalt not” kind of prophet without informing his students and followers of the cause and effect relationship of action and outcome. His next warning to young men is that the extreme folly of excessive or morbid longing; lust; or appetite…being too “thirsty”, will destroy its own chase of said pleasure; the ignorance of unreasonable or excessive passion will hurry them forward to their downfall.

3. Therefore give not up thy heart to her sweet enticements, neither suffer thy soul to be enslaved by her enchanting delusions. 

Young men are advised not to “give up thy heart” to her; meaning avoid becoming emotionally attached to such a woman (who’s not their wife), even when she’s demonstrating pleasing persuasions. They should not allow their soul, which is feminine, to become deprived of freedom by her charming deceptions.

4. The fountain of health which must supply the stream of pleasure, shall quickly be dried up, and every spring of joy shall be exhausted. 

The unfortunate result of overindulgence is early depletion of their seed. “The fountain of health which must supply the stream of pleasure” is the male sperm.  Young men are here being hipped to the fact that they don’t have an unlimited supply and warned to economize the release of their seed. “Sperm is the storehouse of male sexual energy. A single ejaculation has 200 to 500 million sperm cells, each a potential human being. There are enough spermatozoa lost in a single orgasm to populate the entire United States if each cell was to fertilize an egg. The manufacture of a sperm fluid capable of such psychic super potency consumes up to a third of a man’s daily energy output and is especially taxing on the male glandular/immunological system.” (Taoist Secrets of Love-By Michael Winn)

5. In the prime of thy life old age shall overtake thee; the sun shall decline in the morning of thy days.

The sun “…declining in the morning of thy days” is an ironic metaphor for young men having the sexual prowess and bodily forms equivalent to old men. This is in consequence of the imbalanced expenditure of their seed. Young men can see evidence of this verse everyday in modern American society. Relatively young men are making the manufacturers of  ‘Viagara’ billions of dollars.  “It’s true that erectile dysfunction is more common in older men, but many potential Viagra users are hardly senior citizens: About 40% of 40-year-old men in the U.S. have some degree of erectile dysfunction. Most Viagra users today, according to Pfizer, are in their early to mid 50s.” (Viagra: How young is too young? By Martin Downs MPH). Some may argue that the American male is being feminized but the Taoists again tend to agree with Noble Drew Ali’s “Divine Instructions”.

“Conservation of sexual energy is the first principle of cultivation. Ejaculation of the male seed for purposes other than having children is a wasteful loss of an extremely precious treasure. The energy loss over long periods of time weakens the physical health of the male, can lead to unconscious emotional anger towards women and gradually robs the male higher mind/spirit of its power to rejuvenate itself. For this reason many traditional spiritual orders in the world require male celibacy. Taoists accept sexual love as natural and healthy, but know the momentary pleasure of genital orgasm with ejaculation is superficial compared to the profound ecstasy possible when love is enjoyed without the loss of the powerful male seed. It’s every man’s birthright to have full control over his bodily functions and prevent this loss.”(Taoist Secrets of Love-Winn) 

6. But when virtue and modesty enlighten her charms, the lustre of a beautiful woman is brighter than the stars of Heaven and the influence of her power it is in vain to resist. 

Contrasting the above type of woman with a different caliber of woman, young men are here taught to take special note when they meet the latter. This particular woman’s fascinating and alluring quality is tempered by her moral excellence, integrity of character, purity of soul, and performance of duty.  The prophet is informing young men here that when or if they find women possessing this combination of attributes, coupled with radiant beauty, then they’re wasting their time trying not to “fall in love”.

7. The whiteness of her bosom transcendeth the lily; her smile is more delicious than a garden of roses. 

“Whiteness” is purity in Islamism, the old-time religion. (Keys 93,17) It hasn’t anything to do with “lily white folks”.  The prophet is saying that the purity of the better or lovelier part of this type of woman’s nature is in high measure, symbolized by it being whiter than the lily…and as beautiful.  “Her smile is more delicious than a bed of roses”. That’s a pretty sensual description. Well you know those Moors. They are lovers extraordinaire! “Hence that immense mass of Spanish romances translated or imitated from the Moors, which, in language simple but affecting, relate the conversations of lovers, ….” (A Concise History Of The Moors In Spain From Their Invasion of That Kingdom-by Thomas Bourke pg. 213)Here is an interesting poetic lyric in that it employs a simile associated with the sense of taste, ‘delicious’, to describe her smile.

8. The innocence of her eyes is like that of the turtle; simplicity and truth dwell in her heart.

9. The kisses of her mouth are sweeter than honey; the perfumes of Arabia breathe from her lips. 

The lack of guilt in her eyes is poetically compared to the turtle. The turtle is symbolic of innocence. This speaks to Islamic modesty. She’s free from artificial ornament, pretentious style, and cunning.  She’s consistent and real. She’s sensual as well evidenced by the simile used comparing the kisses of her mouth to sweet honey. Her hygiene is meticulous as the breath from her lips is compared not to something audible but to an aroma…the “perfumes of Arabia”. This could also allude to her manner of speech. This sister is thorough!

10. Shut not thy bosom to the tenderness of love; the purity of its flame shall ennoble thy heart, and soften it to receive the fairest impressions.

Here young men are instructed to allow them selves to be open to the softer passions that accompany courtship with women who possess the said assortment of attributes. Love will as a result light a purifying fire in their heart increasing their dignity and enabling them to receive the most beautiful ideas and images. These women are deemed worthy to receive the pure love young men have to offer for they have demonstrated their untainted affection, kind feeling, friendship, strong desire, fondness, and good will. Insha’Allah Moorish American Moslem young, and single, men will take heed to the Divine Instructions of their prophet, resulting in excellent health, wealth, peace and happiness.

Holy Instruction and Warnings For All Young Men -- Commentary