Inside the Nation of Islam: A Historical and Personal Testimony of a Black Muslim: A Historical and Personal Testimony by a Black Muslim [Englisch] [Gebundene Ausgabe]

This is the first good book on the "black muslims" since Louis Lomax wrote his aacout of Elijah Muhammad and Malcom X in the 1960's and is the only book written by someone who was a member of the NOI - except Malcom X's book - which is a classic.

White gives a penetrating acount into the NOI. To me his potrayal makes the organization look like a cult around Farrakan. Everything in it is geared to promoting his public image and money is raised to maintain that. Much of what the NOI does is just show. The Million Man March, accomplished nothing, except to raise Farrakan money. Farrakan talks - but really does few concrete initiatives. His trips to the Middle East with "world leaders" is an example of this - all show, but no real substance. Just acting to give the appearance of being more important than he really is and to keep his followers excited about what he might do or say next.

This is why Farrakan has a tendency to say something insulting - or anti-semitic from time to time - it gets him news coverage, attention, and makes him look like an important and contervsial figure. It gets him members, which is the bottom line.

One thing that surpised me in this book is the shabby financial condition that the NOI is in. I would guess that one day it will eventually go bankrupt - probably after Farrakan retires or passes away from the scene. I've never seen a detailed account of the NOI business structure and finances - but here it is in this book.

Although, White gives plenty of ammo for critics of the NOI I saw his book as a sensitive treatment of them. Adding some of his own story to the book is helpeful to show how/why someone would join the organization. Although some of the leaders may be rotten, many of the members are looking to improve their lives and make the world a better place, even if they have been misled.

This is an important book for people who want to understand the legacy of the nationalist strain in black America. From Marcus Garvey to Elijah Muhummad to the Black Panthers to Louis Farrakan there will always be a strain of black leaders of the nationalist bent. This book is one of the best sources for understanding this in contemporary times - and in the past 20 years.

For the record, saying that `there is no God but Allah and Muhammad (PBUH) is his Messenger' (the Shahada) in one breath, and saying `Allah appeared in the person of Master Fard Muhammad and Elijah is his Messenger' in another breath is NOT a contradiction. White should know this. With true enlightenment, Allah appears in all of us. He (Allah) can have more than one Messenger (not to be confused with `Prophet'). Anyone who speaks the word of God is a Messenger as he is bringing God's message to the people. Hence, there is no contradiction in Farrakhan disseminating Elijah's teachings while taking his Shahada.

His excerpts and interpretation of Farrakhan's statements and speeches could have easily been copied from the New York Times who has always been biased against Min. Farrakhan and the NOI. I strongly suggest that if one wishes to learn more about Farrakhan's thoughts on certain issues, they listen to the speeches themselves and NOT get their interpretation from Dr. White's book.

White's poor editing also served as an intellectual turnoff. Earlier in the book, he talks about Khallid Muhammad's death while later envisioning him as a great leader in the future as if the man is still alive(???). In the same earlier chapter he mentions that Khallid received his doctorate from Xavier University (page 93) then turns around later (page 119) and questions his `Doctor' title by noting how the alleged university that Khalid received his doctorate from, Dillard University, has no record of Khallid ever receiving his Doctorate )???).

Nonetheless, White's book is useful information for the individual who considers joining or supporting the NOI without first questioning the organization's political and financial motives and practices.