Description
Beginning with a brief autobiography of Muhammad, it covers his philosophies on race, the religion of Islam, politics, economics, and social issues, and how they relate to the problems of African-Americans. The book also covers his own ideology and how he feels that the "Blackman" can improve himself in America. The book calls for justice under the laws of America; or for America to help settle black people in a separate land of its own, "either here or elsewhere."
Known more for the students he produced, like Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan and Muhammad Ali, this controversial man exposed the black man as well as the world to a teaching that, till now, was only used behind closed doors of high degree masons and Shriners. An easy and smart read. The book approaches the question of what and who is God. It compares the concept held by religions to nature and mathematics. It also explores the origin of the original man, mankind, devil, heaven and hell. Its title, Message to the Blackman, is directed to the American Blacks specifically, but addresses blacks universally as well.
Message to the Blackman in America was used as a reference by Supreme Court Justice John Harlan, and Chief Justice Warren Burger, in the overturning of the lower court conviction of Muhammad Ali for draft evasion. Harlan’s clerks supplied him with copies of The Autobiography of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad’s Message to the Blackman in America. The Supreme Court struck down Ali’s conviction in 1971. Moral and ethical reasoning was a legitimate reason for the granting of conscientious objector status.