Baldwins view of Nation of Islam in Down on the Cross Essay -- James

dilettanteish PowerThe country of Islam emerged as a very powerful presidency during the 1960s. One of the Nation?s key goals was to create an independent shady America. It further preached about the White man as the tantalise, thus add faith within its followers that White society will be decimated, and Black society will prevail. Through these powerful messages, the Nation of Islam gave African-Americans a claim to divinity and created the notion of Black supremacy. However, in attempting to cement these ideas, the Nation of Islam?s message became extreme to the point of absurdity. While James Baldwin expounds on this irrationality in ?Down at the Cross?, he withal understands and agrees with the underlying motivation behind the Nation?s absurd claims. match to the FBI files on the Nation of Islam, one of its principles was to ?separate the black man from the devil through the establishment of a black nation? (FBI). Many publications propounded on this philosophy. For example, Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam, wrote in Message to the Blackman in America, ?it is far to a greater extent important to teach separation of the Blacks and Whites in America than prayer? (Book Summary). tally to Elijah Muhammad, integration and intermarriage between Blacks and Whites atomic number 18 an attempt by Whites to mingle Blacks, keep them enslaved, and prevent them from learning Nation of Islams teachings. Furthermore, Blacks who assimilate into mainstream culture were regarded by the Nation of Islam as ?disgraceful Uncle Toms? (FBI) who simply seek to please their ?slave-masters? children? (FBI). Granted, these statements are coming from FBI files which clearly did not support the NOI movement, but the message that the Nat... ...s to postal code less than the perpetual achievement of the impossible? (346). Thus creating a crude foundation for Black society, upon which hatred for other races will be justified, does zippo but stun t its ability to achieve its rightful spot in western society.Works CitedBaldwin, James. ?Notes of a Native Son.? 1955. James Baldwin Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. raw York Library of America, 1998. 63-84.Book Summary ? Message to the Black Man in America. 8 March 2004. http//home.att.net/phosphor/week1a/message.htmlClark, Micheal. Rise in Racial Extremism Worries Harlem Leaders. New York quantify 25 Jan. 1960 1+.Federal Bureau of Investigation. Elijah Muhammad. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 8 March 2004. http//foia.fbi.gov/muhammad.htmFineman, Howard and Vern E. Smith. ?An Angry ?Charmer??. Newsweek. 30 Oct 1995 35.