I grew up in Detroit, Michigan and had occasion to visit the Nation of Islam Mosque on Linwood Avenue. The Honorable Elijah Muhammad led the NOI and printed a book called "Message to the Blackman." In this book Elijah Muhammad instructed black people how to live, eat, and fight against endemic American racism from white people. Recently a black man working at Connecticut Juvenile Training School contacted this blog for advice. This black man was given a directive by the secondary white male supervisor at CJTS. Needless to say the Youth Service Officer perceived the comment as racist and insulting.
This is my "Message To The Blackman" at CJTS.
1. You claim to have been objectified and atomized by this white administrator, plan a response.
2. You claim a fellow CJTS employee heard the racist remarks. Will this person verify your claim?
Sending a letter to Human Resources about the incident is not enough to achieve victory.
3. It is time to stop relying on others to fight for you.. standup and fight against oppression.
4. Finally I suggest you remember these words black man.Years ago your fellow YSOs engaged in a
fight against racism at CJTS. You declined [ as did others] to participate and watched from the safe
haven of the sidelines as you protected your job and overtime pay. Now the same evil has affected
you. It is time you the and witness to this event- in the words of Spike Lee - "Do The Right Thing."
That is my "Message To The Blackman" at CJTS.
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