An Enemy to Islam

I was called an 'Enemy to Islam.  This was from my continuously disparaging remarks about the faith.  My response is this: my remarks are not against the 'ideal' of Islam: the imaginary image that the believers hold so dear to the Creator and His chosen prophets; however, my charge is against this artificial construct, which parades around behind the veil of humanism.  My charge is against the Arabization, the cultural imposition, of a language and the trace it leaves from the psychological dent.  Islam, as an imaginary ideal, represents the best of any culture.  In other words, it calls one to bring out the best in his custume: it calls the Jew to be the best Jew, the Black-American to be the best Black-American, the Mexican and Asian to be the best their presented state.  It doesn't mean to re-present, mis-re-present, disfigure, displace, dismember these ideas in the name of Mohammedanism. 

Re: The Conspiracy of Shakespeare

I just read an essay on a young girls experience with two different readings of Shakespeare; one reading glorified the historical, literary icon who may have contributed more than any other person to the establishment of the Center; secondly, there is the reading that recognizes Prospero as the colonizer to Caliban.  I, too, had this same experience.  I can't recall my first Shakespearean class even though I recieved an above average mark; however, when I encounter Shakespeare through a Post-Colonial lens it open'd my eyes to a much broader scope.  Not only was the reading different, it was one I felt more connected with.  In other words, understanding Caliban represented as a deformed, marginalized figure.  It actually gave me more of an appreciation, not for Shakespeare, but for his work.  In all actuality, I may have more of an affinity toward Christopher Marlow than Shakespeare.  I makes me recall the essence of Mis-education of the Negro by Dr. Woodson.  Does a traditional reading of Shakespeare contribute to the Mis-education of Black America?  With the diversity in culture, there has to be a type of hybridity in contextual readings.  To give a text one reading, would be to give the world one culture.

Re: Reference Point

Lately, I mean for the last few months, I've been spending time reflecting on reference points.  What does a person reference, what helps her/him determine, many of the decisions she/he makes?  Being an advid reader, it has allowed me exposure to many different and new ideas and concepts.  I mean, when i recommended my daughter to study law, it wasn't to join the firm, it had more to do with, 1.) studying English Literature, I read many of the young men studied law, not to be lawyers, but to take over the family estate.  That was the first time I had read anything like that; 2.) When you look at two of the most iconic figures in Black history, you can't dismiss they were both lawyers:  Barack Obama and Reginald Lewis.  These were my reference points.  If someone was to open a business, I would assume he/she would know the stories of Dell, Wal-mart, and a host of others.  In essence, I'm still getting at the joy-reason-of reading.  To be exposed to concepts or ideas that one may not find amongst the common minds.

Re: A Genuine Concern

When I speak about a genuine concern, I'm talking about the desire to want someone to shine. The desire for one to achieve excellence. People are always there to wish a person good luck, to offer prayers, and maybe even give monetary assistance; however, we never find those that can actually make a person's journey easy. To see a lawyer walk a young law student right through the LSAT; to see a professor aid and assist an English major on through pass the GRE. There exist a myth that it has to be a struggle. A deep idea that one may appreciate the journey more if she does it on her on.

Re: Those Missed Moments

Due to various reasons, we miss those crucial lessons in life. We neglectfully lose the bricks that allow a whole development. When we write a sentence, we struggle to find the better word; however, we know it's there. The present pop-culture is the acceptance of mediocrity. I don't see the genuine concern for one's brother or sister. I don't mean the feeding of the homeless; the religious serve that purpose while they're working to save the soul. I'm referring to the call to one for excellence; that human concern that doesn't destroy the dynamics in a young, or old, mind.

Re: The Loneliness of the Journey

I may have pondered - meditated - on this subject before. The struggle with loneliness, isolation, learning to be in the company of self. A relearning. It is not difficult the pursuing of one's dream. The difficulty lies in....

Re: Re-examine

How do we interpret, "There should be a band among you...?" Where this calls the group to a moral obligation, what about the call beyond common sense to a good sense? Before the collective can orient itself, the individual has to come to define the influences that impress the multiple selfs that exist in his domain. It is fair to know the universal principles that govern nature; however, in what epoch do we use as a model; or, do we define our own. Do we study history or make it? Similar to the body, we must recognize the symtoms of those inherent germs that can contribut to a greater disease....

Organic Intellectual

I've recently finished a seminar where theorist; such as, Gramsci, Barthes, Foucualt, and other brilliant minds, were studied. I'm becoming more drawen to the notion of the organic intellectual which would represent a more Gramscian notion. How is this character defined? Where the masses can, and do, yell truth to power, what are they without that brain; that nucleus? I know this to be lacking in the Black community, the idea to develop minds. Not for the sake of a job, but for the purpose of challenging old concepts and developing new ones. Moving the group beyond the primitive philosophy of religion, and moving them to a higher realm of conceptualization.

Fighting Through Ignorance...

It's amazing that someone would approach me about taking a special interest in a young kid. We're not talking about in any type of pervert'd way, but a genuine concern for a young African-American kid. Reminding him to stay focused, and instilling in him the notion of endless possibilities. That someone would say to me, "Maybe you shouldn't do that. That it may be a bit awkward." I can't recall on one hand the people that suggest'd I strive to reach my zenith as a person; nor, can I remember any parents questioning me about my intent with their daughter. There was no special interest; no genuine concern. Interesting!

The Death of Osama

I had to reflect, without being emotional, on the death of Osama bin Laden. Do I look at this from the lens of an American, Muslim, or American of African descent? I came to the conclusion that, although this represents a psychological victory for America, this so-called Judeo-Christian place; and I applaud our Commander in Chief President Obama and that this was accomplished under his watch, for me, the bigger war is represented by the systematic attack on the African- American male youth. I know the challenge that existed, and still does, for me to come to some type of constructive thought; to come to know and understand the 15th Amendment and the privilege that comes with that; and until this is brought to the forefront of the consciousness of these youths; then, the fight, the war, the violence of the letter, still exist. How do we bring these kids truly to know the idea of endless possibilities? To know that the minority are those that strive for excellence and not settle for mediocrity like the masses.

Re: Preparation

I'm up reflecting on are we truly preparing our kids - as well as ourselves - for the future and what that entails. If we're sending them to school with the antiquated idea of getting a job we're setting them up for failure....

A Reflection

I'm thinking a lot more about Psychology of a Mark. It's like Naipaul's father is talking to me. It's becoming the only object to enjoy dialogue with....

My Jewish Brother

I don't know is where I've found myself on this road The negro street was a neighborhood off Fairfax The exposure screw'd me up; however, I'm cool I am alone next to the generously insane They think they know....

Influence of Derrida

Presently, I'm reading three criticisms: Post-Modernism, Deconstructionism, and Post-Structuralism, all influenced by J. Derrida. Post-Modernism represents his arguement against Husserl (excuse the spelling if not correct); second, deconstruction argues, or debases, the foundation of a particular idea; third, we move Post-structuralism into social power. Looking at society today, and the economic crises, post-structuralism may have a place within a close reading of a given text. Is it possible to do a post-structuralist reading to the writings of Robert Beck? Can one say there's an invisible hand that played a part in Iceberg Slims choice to pimping? Without a doubt! Man, to a degree, can be put into a situation where his/her actions can be predicted. Leave a man in a room with a live rat and no food. How long before he's forced to eat the rat? That's an extreme stituation; however, one can see the point. If we transfer that signification, and i use that rather than universal-into the pragmatics of todays society we can see how one is compelled to move in a limited direction.

The Monopoly on Islam

Why do we hear, throughout the local communities, the same voices narrating their ideas of Islam? I believe it is a type of rhetoric to keep the people, the communities, sleep. I think it would be healthy for the communities, as well as, healthy for Islam if there was a type of round table that allowed others to elucidate their opinion on the condition of Islam and where we're at....

Impoverished Model

I'm beginning, to a degree, to understand the idea of pragmatism. This notion of considering the model that we move on and its practical application in this life. What do I mean by practical application? The understanding of the faith we have an affinity towards and does it work? Is it primitive versus progressive? Reading Professor West....

A Meditation

I haven't written to myself in a while, which may reflect a degree of chaos. I'm reading several books working to deconstruct the memoir. Two of the books I'm reading are Sadaawi's The Daughter of Isis, as well as, Edward Said's Out of Place. We anticipate doing our final on the latter. Sadaawi's work really has to a degree pulled me in. I haven't touch'd on the affinity i have towards it. I do want my daughters to find their voice, their space, in this life, and Sadaawi with her entrance into the world came with resistance....

Where is my fight?

The question was asked to me, "Should the Muslims build a masjid at the site of 911." My first thought was what group, meaning Afro-American or immigrant, was responsible for the endeavor? I believe it to be an insensitive move. If I'm a black man in American, and the condition of blacks is what it is pertaining to education, unemployment, incarceration, and so forth, when I become Muslim does my fight become Iraq or Afghanistan? Has the civil rights movement ended for black America? Have we gain'd the equality that we've been striving for subsequent to the emancipation proclamation. I understand the ideal of Islam; however, there exist the ideal and the real. I believe the Muslims strive for the Islam represented in the stars and trees which is something they will never attain. We as blacks are an undeveloped group and have not addressed completely the condition of our psyche even with coming into Islam....

Liberty or Death

My Modernism influence says the title has nothing to do with the piece. We're pondering on the idea of an individual truly wanting peace in their life. What is it that will not allow an individual to let progess happen? I understand one sabotaging his own success; however, I believe one can become healthy psychologically; atleast work towards it consciously. To not want to bring drama to one's life; to want to aid and assist....

The Month of Ramadan

The best guest is coming. It is a time to dust our homes and bring out our best character. It is a time to be conscious of the moment; reflect; ponder on the past, present, and future. It is a time read love seclusion, read Qur'an, and give each letter its due respect. Peace in the margin, peace between each word we must find. With creation we must ourselves align.