Django Unchained Review

 

 

Peace! For those who didn't have an opportunity to check out The Geek Supremacy Project Radio Show I was on, I just wanted to give you a quick Review of the Film 'Django Unchained'.

1.) First and foremost I approach all Films as a Social Study and being Entertained is not the primary reason why I invest my time in checking it out. Quentin Tarentino is an Action Movie Maker so if you're intention for going to cee 'Django Unchained' was to cee him tackle the Institution of Slavery on Film from a "Drum", "Mandingo" or "Sankofa" Perspective you'll be sadly disappointed because that's not his Genre. This is an Action Film stylized as a 'Spaghetti Western'. Spaghetti Westerns were low budget Westerns produced in the 1960's by Italians, usually filmed in Europe and hence the association with 'spaghetti'. If you've checked out other Tarentino Films you'll cee these Western elements in there.

2.) What I most appreciated about 'Django Unchained' is it showed how complex and sophisticated the Institution of Slavery was on a psychological and sociopolitical level. Many people are under the false impression that "White People had Black People as Slaves." The reality is, various people of European Descent/Nations directly and indirectly participated in the Institution of Slavery and brought with them their own cultural nuances/considerations to the table. For example, French, English, so-called Jewish, German and etc. Slavers did things alittle differently. If you know anything about the French, they were historically more sexually (sadomasicism) orientated than the English which painted a different social backdrop for their Plantations. These Europeans didn't always get along either and definately didn't just group themselves together as "White People". This Film clearly shows how a German (Dr. Shultz for example) didn't "entirely" identify with a Southern American or a Frenchman. The concept of Race Relations (White vs Black) was a sick smelting process that took many years to forge in America in order to have these European Descendants buy into the idea of being "White Americans". Prior to this, they were simply Jews, Scottish, American and etc. Slavers and Colonial Transplants (Rural/Towns People) that didn't always group all "Black People" together because all Black People in America pre the Civil War weren't Slaves. If you really want to do your research you'll find that there were many Black People here before any Europeans that were NEVER Slaves. When America declared Independance from Britain they signed a Treaty of Friendship with Morocco in 1777 which consequently reasserted the sociopolitical status of some of the Moors who were living and doing business here. 'Django Unchained' does an excellent job expressing some of these historical, cultural nuances and subtleties. For those of us who study 120, this gives you excellent cultural context to your 1-36 or "English" C Lessons that primarily deals with Slavery under the English.

3.) 'Django Unchained' also showed the "congnitive dissonance" that came along with ceeing a Free Black Person (Django) and other Blacks (Enslaved Blacks) occupying the same place at the same time. This "congnitive dissonance" or difficulty trying to reconcile new information that conflicts with our presently held beliefs is something that affected both the European/American Slavers and Enslaved Blacks alike. Ceeing Django express a sense of 'Self Determination by dressing himself, speaking for himself and performing basic human functions (like riding a horse) was something that many European/American Towns People, Slavers and Enslaved Blacks never experienced. The same phenomena exists today...

4.) There's a beautiful Black Woman named 'Sheba' who Slavemaster Candie keeps by his side. Because of the way she dresses, expresses herself and what she has access to you actually get the impression that she's Free. Sheba holds this position all the way up to the point where Lara-Lee (Candie's Sister) enters the room and automatically demotes her to being "The Help". Not because of Lara-Lee asserting her hierarchical position b.u.t. based upon the glorious marbled pedestal the White Woman was primarily placed upon in America by White Men -for show of course! You also cee an incestuous relationship implied between Candie and Lara-Lee which is something wasn't uncommon on Plantations and amongst early European Colonialists. What this Film also makes perfectly CLEAR is how the unsoiled Lara-Leeized fantasy was being forged in the minds of Black Men/Women that many of us still salivate (lust) over and/or use as a standard model of beauty today. This non-verbal Power Dynamic shown between Lara-Lee vs Sheba is a historical relationship (and rivalry) that still colors relationships between Black and White Women today!

5.) The Slave 'Steven' (Samuel L. Jackson) looked like Gollum (Lord of the Rings) and was a House Nigga that made James David Manning (ATLAH Worldwide Missionary Church) appear like Khalid Abdul Muhammad.

6.) Django had a Mission; to save his Woman. The torture, torment and inhumanity he and his Woman were exposed/subjected to during the process, while he maintained his composure and focus to fulfill that Mission is a Lesson in and of itself for any Black Man. Many of us get easily sidetracked by the most trivial things and loose sight of the fact that Cultural Freedom and Family is vital to our survival as a people.

7.) The subtleties! The conspicuous handshake between Django and his 'Master' Dr. Shultz (cee Tubal-Cain; Metallurgy) initiating him into the Bounty Hunting Profession. The Candie Plantation (of 'French' orientation) being in Mississippi instead of Louisiana where Plantations like this primarily were. The emphasis on Law/Legalities by 'The German' Dr. Shultz (cee Muhlenberg). These are all worth looking into to gain a larger Persepctive of the Backdrop that eventually forged America's Sociopolitical landscape we're living on today.

8.) Spike Lee, as I said last week, is a Red Hook Hater. The only one I've ever heard him give credit to were The NY Knicks. Welp.., willfully he can Direct/Produce a Film about the subject matter of Slavery that shows respect to our Ancestors. I will definately check it out and critique that too.

9.) All in all I think 'Django Unchained' is an excellent Social Study for those of us who're are interested in getting a better understanding of the conditions, complications and complexities that came along with the various Relationships during the time of Slavery pre the Civil War. This Film definately doesn't show you everything and many things are simply implied yet analyzing/assessing these implications are well worth the research!

Peace!

PUBLIC STATEMENT
-The Connecticut Shooting-

In regards to the recent tragedy at the Elementary School Shooting that took place in Newtown, Connecticut I wanted to offer a Public Statement addressing a couple points. Before I do that I want to first say that I am deeply sorrowed by these events and any other tragedies happening within our Human Family, especially as it relates to our children, regardless where it’s at around World. At the date of this writing the death toll stands at 28 with 20 of them Children, 6 Adults, the shooter's own Mother and himself.

NEWS COVERAGE

Although this is the lost of human lives, for those of you like myself (Black) who belong to a minority group here in America, it’s important to realize that this tragedy is a case of a White Person killing a group of primarily White Children in a primarily White Neighborhood. The Mainstream Media is primarily White. Therefore, the story is going to be told in a way to protect the overall image, status and interests of White People as a whole. To expect their Media to denounce their own or deface their own image by defining their own as a Terrorist, Fanatic, Menace to Society or etc. is expecting too much of them. I’ve read many complaints about how White People are playing the “mental health issue” and “he was such a smart/intelligent guy” card to solicit for the general public’s pity and you all have a right to be offended by that. I think it’s great to voice your perspectives on incidents such as this and anything else you think is not being covered fairly or reflective of all elements of America's so-called 'Melting Pot'. Ceeing that the Media Coverage of this shooting is obviously written from the perspective of White People who directly identify/sympathize with the children, the shooter, the families, the community and similar gun tragedies that happened like this in similar areas around the US, it should encourage you to share your own perspective. We should be encouraged because as a minority group in this Country, our perspective, consideration for our perspective and what’s happened/happening in our Communities is not the voice of Mainstream White America. Usually it's only Regional/National News to the extent of how it directly effects their (White) People or how it bolsters the positive image and status of White People. This being the historical case, Journalism, Blogs, Vlogs, Discussion Groups, Commenting on Articles, sharing Articles from Alternative News Sources and etc. to express our view are effective ways to engage others in our perspectives that help bring balance to Mainstream News Coverage. For example, the slogan for  Supreme Design Publishing is "Reinventing the World" and this is exactly what this Company is doing by providing resources (literature) and  ultimately perspectives that are not represented or outright repressed in  Mainstream White America. Providing these sources also provides us with a platform to reinforce or start establishing our own Media outlets! You are reading this Article right now or have been checking out my videos at A.S.I.A. TV because I am also providing such a platform as a minority voice here in the wilderness of North America and there are people who reference this platform Globally. So it’s alright to complain, just use your analysis and critique of situations like this to change the game.

ETIOLOGY

Etiology is defined as "the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition." In this regard, in order to better understand what happened in tragedies like this we must take an Etiological approach. We must look at the origin of this. As I stated in the second paragraph, "The Mainstream Media is primarily White. Therefore, the story is going to be told in a way to protect the overall image, status and interests of White People as a whole." What this means is that it's never in the best interest of Mainstream White America to approach things Etiologically. The reason being is because the trail would lead back to their doorstep. In order to uphold their overall image, status and interests they must play the 'Blame Somebody Else Game'. For example, whenever someone from a Foreign Country does something to protest or lash out against America they're always categorized as a Terrorist or Fanatic, NEVER are people told that this person or these people are responding/reactiving to America's devilish Foreign Policies towards their people. Whenever you cee a Black person or other person of Color be charged with a crime it's always because of a unilateral decision on our part, the checkered past and soiled reputation, usually the socioeconomics created by White Mainstream America that are valid factors that contributed to the charge, not crime -meaning we're already sentenced in the public eye via their Media before being judged before a jury of 'their' peers, never make their way into their News story. Many of us like playing the 'Blame Somebody Else Game' because we're just as inconsiderate and irresponsible. The problem with this Game is that it always comes back to haunt you in the end. Crack wasn't a problem in America until the children of Mainstream White America started smoking it. Then the President's First Lady (Nancy Reagan) got on Television in 1986 and told America to "Just Say No". Nancy Reegan coined the phrase in 1982, yet in our Communities, Urban Communitites, the Heroin and Crack epidemic had already ravaged our families and neighborhoods years before this became a mainstream concern of theirs. Again, when crack dealers (and drug users) in Urban Communities were/are still locked up and given harsh sentences unequalled to their White surburban counterparts who possess pure powder concaine -via  the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986-, rarely is the question ever asked or investigated how these drugs are making it into the US, in these neighborhoods... 

In this tragedy, like the various other mass shootings that have taken place in primarily White American Communities, the question of 'individual sanity' or some kind of 'chemical imbalance' always arises. Etiologically speaking, this has not and does not address the sociopolitical environment that cultivates the type of psychopathy that produces this type of tragedy. If the sociopolitics are examined then the Social Engineers will be revealed. Obviously these Engineers must exist because incidents like this aren't isolated. Crimes aren't defined as isolated for Black or other people of Color -sometimes being tied together via Hip Hop although they're 2,200 miles apart, so there's definately some dysfunctional rhyme to their reason. Again, the problem lies in taking responsibility. Frankenstein never created himself.

Will Mainstream White America look at themselves and ask the hard question, "What is the reason our children doing this to our children and how did I err as a Parent?" Probably not. The larger and more important question is, "What are you doing about it?" In closing, I want to encourage those of you who're observing the Media Coverage to keep in Mind that anytime we cee events like this happening within any Society, especially Societies that pride themselves on being the standard of the Civilized World, to take this as a warning of what's to come. You shouldn't be afraid you should be encouraged to be that much more mindful and involved in actively creating conditions that reinforce Love, Peace and Happiness and thwart such atrocities. On Facebook I saw alot of people, who after learning about this tragedy, encouraging others to go home and hug their own children as if to say, "I'm glad that wasn't mine". Yes I think that's excellent to appreciate our Family yet I also think it's important to extend ourselves to those within our neighborhoods and communities who don't have the sense of Family that you are encouraging in your own household. One thing that you'll cee consistent and at the heart of any of these mass shootings is Family Dysfunction; a 'member' of a Family performing a heinous act that affects the lives of their Family and other Families. In extending ourselves to others we must be more personable and supportive of eachother. Invest the time to positively encourage and speak to one another, help eachother whenever we can and simply strive to re-establish human relationships that many of us have strayed away from in exchange for being all about "me and mines". We don't have to wait until disaster strikes to do this! We can advocate preventative measures so that tragedies like this are minized and willfully stopped from happening again. There are tragedies happening all over the Country and World that don't get Mainstream News Coverage that require our attention, sympathy and action. None of these tragedies are more/less important than any other because they're all tragic and effect us all! At this very moment a student I mentored is sitting in a small town jail in the South facing Class A Felony charges (life/execution) of a robbery that he didn't commit/mastermind yet is being fingered for because a.) He's a young black  male and it was a White Woman b.) He's from New York. All of these incidents are News worthy and anytime there is a loss of innocent lives, especially children, as Parents, Educators, Mentors, Caretakers, Adults we need to responsibly reassess the Roles we play in the conditions that promote or don't promote such tragic events. Again, my heart goes out to all of us who are directly/indirectly affected by this tragedy, tragedies happening throughout this Country and around the World. And I will that through the insight of God and intuitiveness of the Earth that we begin/continue working towards healing these self inflicted wounds within our Human Family. I also want to Thank those of you whom I know personally or whom I may not know who have made the children and Families within your Community, City and Society at large your responsibility! Those of you who prepare meals for those babies living in your neighborhood you know didn't eat today, those who volunteer to help your elderly neighbor bring their groceries in the house and those who're going outside of your houses of worship to help people who aren't members because you care about them regardless what they believe. It is because of you all, who realize that "It's not my job" isn't an option when it comes down to doing the right thing and what needs to done especially for our children! This is evidence of a Will for a brighter future and I am, we are, the result of such a Will and a future. It was because of the Love, Peace and Happiness that others invested in me that I stand before you as the Man I am today. It is because of the Love, Peace and Happiness you are investing in the children of today that they will one day become the Ambassadors of a brighter future we desire to cee!

Peace,
Saladin

The Status Quo

By Allah Universal Lord Life Justice Shabazz

I read your build, "Pike Dream" God. I found my persons mentally stimulated and would like to add on to some of the comments made within. I particularly thought it astute of you to point out the sociopolitical agenda of those who keep the status quo, the Freemasons. We as original people need to be conscious of the fact that we are a society or culture within the inside of a much larger culture. Unlike other people who came to America from other countries to apply for citizenship, most of our people here were abducted from our homeland and enslaved. This is a point to pay close attention to, for where the immigrant petitions for citizenship, we did not. Whereas a newly American citizen decides which parts of his previous culture-turned-subculture will remain in his/her life as an American. Our culture was obliterated and has to be recaptured through active research and development. But in both cases, to call yourself American means that you pledge allegiance and incorporate yourself into the American culture.

 

A lot of us think that we are sort of a huge population in America being unfairly treated. That is not true. Though we may not be treated fairly as Americans, we are not a huge population within the American fabric. Our numbers represent about 15-18% of the American population. That's like a hunk of pepper buried in a salt shaker at the bottom. It will be some time to attempt to uplift that unit to the top of the shaker and it will not happen evenly when or if it does. When we talk of the American phenomena, ratios being somewhat consistant, we were 19,000,000 original people to 103,000,000 Whites in the Honorable Elijah Muhammad's consensus of 1933. Yes, I know we are in a ratio of 11:1 or 4,400,000 Blacks to 400,000 in that same consensus around the world --but our conscious community seems to loose tract of the fact that our American numbers are very disproportionate to Whites. We are not in the majority in America. If this were so, the status quo would be in favor of us, simply because that would be in favor of majority interests. To this day, there is even issues between Black and White lodges within America (those who would like to investigate further should read, "History and Evolution of Freemasonry" by Delmar Duane Darrah 33', The Color Line pp.313-323).

 

So from our sheer numbers in America alone, we can only be one of the mainstream's minority issues, like non-White ethnic groups, religious sects (other than White Anglo-Saxon Protestant), the rising issues of sexuality and rights affiliated with these things. We speak about civil and human rights but we petition the courts of their system to have their mainstream society grant smaller sub-cultural groups and communities the rights which are inalienable to the mainstream. America then response in such a way as to give the impression to the world that there is liberty and justice for all in this country--however it is a work in progress. . . Yet for Whites whose ancestors came to America as early colonizers (so called true native Americans or White Anglo-Saxon Protestants), liberty and justice are automatically given as their birth rights. Those clandestine societies who maintain the status quo are there to protect the interest of the majority, while entertaining some of the wishes of its minority to quell civil unrest. And those who are ethnic Freemasons are here in this country because the White working class Masons from England, have allowed them to be. George Washington consecrated the first lodge in America called the Occident Temple No.1. All other lodges are beholden to that lodge. Even the Prince Hall Masons. Prince Hall, Absalom Jones and Richard Allen received their charter initially from England.  So they are beholden to uphold the status quo in America, not Arabia, the Fertile Crescent, Central Asia or so-called Africa. Their National Treasure is in America. Although they are secret societies and we will never know how the lodges truly feel publically about our liberation and the changing of their policies, status quo or keeping things as they always were--we know America's policies come first and are the primary concern of any Masonic lodge in America beyond all else.

Let us also not forget, in Blacks petitioning to be recognized as Americans, we took on America's greatness and America's ills. You can see this at play when you examine the behavior of our grandparents and great, great, great grandparents. Most of them stuck to the policies of the bible, dressed differently than Whites and had practices for rearing their children far different from mainstream America. We even wore different clothes than our fellow White counterparts. We did so because our views were not the same and we were not treated the same--so doing so was a sort of hypocrisy. In the past we held ourselves to a higher Biblical standard. . .

 

In the documentary called 'The Hate That Hate Produced', it is fairly obvious that the Blacks used to flush out information from Black Organizations and hand them over to Mike Wallace of CBS News are nothing but lap dogs for the White media machine in America. In the famous photo of Marcus Garvey riding in that convertible with the plumed hat, the Blackman in that car with the straw "election-like" hat is none other than a secret service man for the United States Government in those days; a person all Garveyites despised because he was a overt agent who attended their meetings and reported their activities.

 

It was never intended for us to belong to such secret organizations, agencies or Masonic lodges, thus it would not be wise to trust in those who have dual allegiances at best. Most of our organizations in the past were sabotaged by those agents who had black skin. This should serve as some example of who you have to watch out for. If we are doing things for the upliftment of ourselves as a people, let us be sure of what cause we are serving. Besides, our knowledge is open and free, is the Freemasons? So how is that just or equal and how can such a relationship be trusted? Protect your neck.

Peace Family,

Allah Universal Lord Life Justice Shabazz

Albert Pike 33 Degree

“One of the most influential American Freemasons”

Pike Dreams

This Article is not an Albert Pike Expose, nor is it a trip down Illuminati Lane. This Article is about the difference between advocating Social Justice vs Social Status and knowing how to properly recognize the difference. I use Albert Pike as a model to illustrate this because his varied background provides a great social study for us to recognize these differences. The reasoning is to get us, especially Black/Brown people, to learn to think more critically about the Sociopolitical platform of Societies, Organizations, Fraternities, Clubs, Businesses and Institutions before we join or become affiliated with them.

To give you a basic backdrop of the social and political factors that played a significant role on in Albert Pike's life:

• He settled in Little Rock Arkansas in the early 1830’s becoming a Teacher and Writer for the Arkansas Advocate Newspaper.
• He became the owner of the Advocate in 1835 and used it as a vehicle to promote views of the Whig Party that he was affiliated with. The Whig Party comes from the Scottish Word 'whiggamore' and were known as American Patriots, anti-Democratic and took many of the stances that would be considered ‘far-right’ today. The Whigs were succeeded by the Republican Party.  
• He passed the Arkansas Bar in 1837 and became the first reporter of the Arkansas Supreme Court writing notes on points in court decisions, publishing and indexing the court’s opinions. In 1842, he published the Arkansas Form Book, providing Lawyers with models for the different kinds of motions to be filed in the state’s courts.
•    He left the Whig Party because of their failure to take a unified pro-slavery stance. Pike then joined the Know Nothing Party. The Know Nothing Party’s platform was xenophobic (fear or dislike of foreigners/outsiders), anti-Catholic, against immigration/naturalization and often violent. This Party was considered semi-secret because members were instructed to reply, “I know nothing” If asked about the Party’s activities. To join the Know Nothings you had to be a Protestant Male born of British ancestry.
•   In 1850 Pike became a Master Mason (Blue Lodge) at Western Star Lodge No. 2 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He received his York Rite (Red Lodge) Degrees between 1850-1853. He received his Scottish Rite (Green Lodge) Degrees in Charleston SC in 1853 from Albert G. Mackey. Pike received the 33rd Degree on April 25, 1857 and was elected Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of Scottish Rite’s Southern Jurisdiction in 1859 and held that office for 32 years until his death. *Note the Red Lodge (York Rite) is a religious orientated wing of the Masonic Body and the Green Lodge (Scottish Rite) is a military orientated wing of the Masonic Body.
•  Pike was pro-slavery and a Confederate General during the Civil War from 1861-1862. He supported Succession from the Union and published a pamphlet in 1861 on that position titled State or Province, Bond or Free? In regards to acceptance of Blacks as Masonic Brothers, Pike was quoted as saying in a 1875 letter to his brother, “took my obligation to White men, not to Negroes. When I have to accept Negroes as brothers or leave Masonry, I shall leave it.” (History and Evolution of Freemasonry 1954, page 329).
• Pike was said to be an active member of the Arkansas Branch of the Klu Klux Klan (KKK); a Movement founded in 1865 in Pulaski, TN by six Confederate Army Veterans. There are no public records of his involvement with the KKK. However, the book ‘Ku Klux Klan’, written by Walter Fleming (1905) states that Pike was the Chief Judicial Officer of the Klan. Also, the ‘Authentic History Ku Klux Klan, 1865-77’, written by Susan Lawrence Davis (1924) cites Pike as the Grand Dragon of the Klan for the state of Arkansas and Chief Judicial Officer appointed by Klan founder, Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest.  
•  From 1867-1868, Pike worked in Memphis, TN (about 4 hours away from Pulaski, TN) as editor of the Memphis Daily. He also established a new Law Partnership with Confederate General Charles W. Adams. In 1868 Pike wrote in the Tennessee Daily Appeal, “With negroes for witnesses and jurors, the administration of justice becomes a blasphemous mockery. A Loyal League of negroes can cause any white man to be arrested, and can prove any charges it chooses to have made against him. The disenfranchised people of the South can find no protection for property, liberty or life, except in secret association. We would unite every white man in the South, who is opposed to negro suffrage, into one great Order of Southern Brotherhood, with an organization complete, active, vigorous, in which a few should execute the concentrated will of all, and whose very existence should be concealed from all but its members."
•  The Shriners, of which Pike was not a recorded Member, is a Masonic Body (founded in 1870) is not recognized as an appellant Masonic Body in the State of Arkansas. Reference: Article Prior to 2000, in order to join the Shriners a person had to complete either the Scottish Rite and York Rite degrees of Masonry. Nowadays any Master Mason can join and they’ve streamlined Shrine Membership. William J. Simmons, founder of the 2nd Klu Klux Klan and Imperial Wizard was a Freemason and publisher of the KKK ritual handbook called the 'Kloran'.
• In 1871, Pike published the 900 + page Masonic handbook known as Morals and Dogma of the Ancient andAccepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Although Pike published other Masonic Works, Morals and Dogma is solidified Pike as the Philosophical Father of American Freemasonry to this day this book is traditionally given to many new Initiates of a Masonic Lodge.
•  By 1888, there were 7,210 Shriners in 48 Shrine Temples in the United States and Canada. Although the Shriners are said to not be connected to Islam and the Order originated from the imagination of Freemasons Physician Walter M. Fleming and Actor William J. Florence, in the "Former" History of the Imperial Council of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine it states that "the Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was instituted by the Caliph Ali in 656 AD" (Page 36-40). Reference: History
•  Pike is still the only Confederate General to have an outdoor statue displayed in Washington, D.C. and the Statue is at Judiciary Square.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, do these images/symbols associated with Albert Pike's legacy make sociopolitical sense?

Original Ku Klux Klan Costume (notice the star and crescent)

Original Ku Klux Klan Costume (notice the star and crescent)

Ritual Book written by KKK Gand Wizard/Freemason William J. Simmons (notice word 'Kloran' is a play on the Islamic word Koran/Quran

KKK Language (notice word 'Klaliff' is a play on the Islamic word Khalif/Caliph)

Image of a Shriner (notice the word Islam, star and crescent)

Shriner Patch (notice the Freemasonic square and compass where the star usually goes)

Racoons, known for being "tricksters", were the early symbol of the Whig Party.

The racoon also symbolize being "frontiersman" (pioneering colonialists)

Know Nothing Party Flag (Native Americans referred to "Native-born White Citizens")

Confederate Flag (symbol for the South who were pro-slavery)

Confederate Flag/Masonic Decal (Pike was a Confederate Army General and 33 Degree Freemason)

Symbol of the Scottish Rite. Latin for "My Hope is in God". The two-headed eagle symbolizes

guarding it's agenda in the East and West. Pike was Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme

Council for 32 years. 

 The Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction's Supreme Council Headquarters in Washington DC



Scottish Rite Temple dedicated to Pike on the US National Historic Registry

Albert Pike Memorial in Washington DC

Contrary to what many people would like us to believe about Albert Pike, he was far from double-headed and his affiliations/views were consistent throughtout his lifetime. Now, upon closer examination of Albert Pike's colorful legacy and affiliations what does this tell you about his Sociopolitical Worldview? Can you say that the allegiances he forged and partnerships he formed were for Social Justice or a Social Status (Quo)? More importantly, are the allegiances we forge and partnerships we form for Social Justice or a Social Status (Quo)?

"When you look at an Organization with so many Members at the top of the Socioeconomic Food Chain, in so many Industries, do you NOT THINK they'll do whatever is necessary to put mechanisms in place to protect their group interests, it's members and maintain their Status Quo?" -Life

I received an anonymous email the other day from a 'Jane Doe' who asked me, "Can Gods and Earths become Freemasons?" My response to her, if it was a her, was that people can choose to do whatever they want yet the question is what is their reasoning for those decisions and are they Right & Exact? If a God/Earth is truly invested and committed to our common cause and recognizes that 'God' or 'Earth' is the apex of their identity, there is no need to 'become' anything else. I'm not saying that we shouldn't forge alliances with others. It's important for others to add-on with us and to share a common cause as long as it doesn't fundamentally compromise what we teach or what we will achieve as a Nation. Unfortunately, there are alot of Gate Keepers; people and groups that are only interested in maintaining and upholding the Status Quo, not true Social Justice. So for us to claim a sense of Social Justice and simultaneously join or affiliate ourselves people and Societies, Organizations, Fraternities, Clubs, Businesses and Institutions that are maintainers of the Status Quo it neutralizes us from bringing about any effective change. Especially when they're 'Special Interest Groups' we as Black/Brown people didn't have a voice in founding or don't have a voice in modifying their Mission Statement.  Albert Pike was a man of many faces. Yet when you look at his affiliations and the social and political factors that played a significant role in his life, you'll cee what his Determined Idea was. Obviously all of these Political Parties, Societies and Good Ole Boy Networks provided common, consistent resources for him. If not, he couldn't have used them, he wouldn't have been involved in them nor would there be any traces of his affiliation. Among other things, this Article shows you that being a White Protestant, Freemason, Shriner, Confederate, Anti-Immigrationist Klansman is not contradictory and there's obviously a place in all of these White Special Interests Groups for someone who has these views to flourish and prosper... This Article also shows that there are built in mechanisms in place that will undermine, neutralize and dismantle any progress towards true Social Justice because that was never the objective of some of these White Special Interests Groups from the beginning. I say "some" because Freemasonry (and Shriners) was established for the purpose of raising upright men (and women who belong to masonic bodies). Yet like one 33 Degree White Mason/Shriner once told me directly, "In the 32 years I've been a Mason there is only one flaw that I've found. It's made up of human beings and you can never say what you'll do in a given situation!" So after all this conversation about Freemasonry making good men better and how the working tools help build a perfected man he not only tells me how human "they" are and how "they" will fall short b.u.t. how they ultimately accept these falls/flaws as a part of who "they" are. (9,10/1-14) That sounds like "Hug Your Imperfections", "Proceed With Caution" or worst yet "Enter At Your Own Risk" to me; not very encouraging when it comes to a trustworthy relationship where you can depend on someone to do the right thing when situations get rough. As Gods/Earths we strive for perfection and don't settle for mediocracy, especially when it comes down to doing the right thing. Culturally speaking, that weak posture and attitude contradicts (destroys) what's Divine. Our stance is "we are just and true and there is no unrighteousness in us" because we are committed to "show forth our power that we are allwise and righteous... WITHOUT FALLING VICTIM TO the devils civilization" (37,38/1-40). So regardless how rough situations get, we're determined to seek the right way and trick-knowledge, devilishment, stealing, telling lies or mastering others is never an acceptable option (4/1-14). I've ceen and heard people make the argument that, "they had to do what they had to do" or "the ends justify the means" when in reality they're simply confirming that they don't really recognize righteousness as the ultimate standard to adhere to "regardless to whom or what" (11/1-14). In otherwords, they're still NOT CONVINCED that righteousness is infallible (unfailing) and that there's always a right way to act or respond in any given situation. That is a tragedy for them and will be tragic for anyone around them whenever these people feel like situations are getting too rough...

In closing, I ask all of us, regardless if we call ourselves Gods/Earths, Moors, Hebrews, Muslims, Kemetians, Nuuwabians or etc., are we truly seeking Social Justice or a Social Status? Are we like the double-headed eagle of the Scottish Rite; claiming we're about Social Justice (revealing the truth to all who seek it) yet simultaneously upholding the Status Quo (concealing the truth from the uninitiated)? Many of the special interest groups many of you are intrigued about joining don't even offer you the benefit of full disclosure and transparency about what you'd be committing your life/finances to upfront! For you to even be interested in that means that you either have done or can cee yourself doing the same thing; there's an affinity for the 10%. Committing yourself to something under these clandestine circumstances is like agreeing to marry somebody you don't really know and who's not allowed to tell you much about themselves  until you say "I do!" Regardless of how great they say they are, the benefits you'll get from the relationship and etc., the very foundation is untrustworthy and unequal. You have no way of judging whether that's true or not and you're completely vulnerable (open) to what they need to get from you. In otherwords, there is nothing restricting you from sharing everything about yourself with them yet they're restricted from sharing everything equally with you. It reminds me of those who 'petition' to join a Lodge or go 'on-line' for Fraternities/Sororities; there's a thorough investigation done on you yet you have limited resources to actually investigate it's members or the Group you want to join... Then if they do decide to let you in, you're required to uphold the same standard. If anything, it says alot about a person's self esteem and social ambitions to put themselves in that position to begin with. Nobody who's truly concerned about Social Injustice would put themselves in such an unjust position.

So for those of you who're truly about real Social Justice, be mindful of joining or affiliating yourselves with anything that serves the purpose of neutralizing your efforts. If you've already made decisions like this and now you cee those Societies, Organizations, Fraternities, Clubs, Businesses and Institutions undermine your ability to work towards Social Justice then you have a serious choice to make! And when I say undermine your ability to work towards Social Justice, it can be anything from paying dues to them that could otherwise go towards something else or even actively attending their Events that create conflicts in your schedule for participating in our Events. Some of you will dismiss this Article by simply saying you only joined or are affiliating yourselves with certain Societies, Organizations, Fraternities, Clubs, Businesses and Institutions to preserve the best part for yourselves and add-on to your foundation. What you really mean is you're trying to climb the social ladder, seek upward mobility or get a piece of the American Pie. My questions to you are Who's ladder? Up to where? Who's pie? Others will even go as far as to say that some Special Interest Groups (Societies, Organizations, Fraternities, Clubs, Businesses and Institutions) aren't keepers of the Status Quo. I've heard Prince Hall Freemasons claim that they're independent from England and American Grand Lodges so they're not keepers of the Status Quo yet when I ask them, "Who gave them permission (their Charter/Quo), Where is this Charter kept in a vault, Where is the Cornerstone of their Original Lodge said to be kept and does all of this reflect true self determination and autonomy for us as a people?" they don't have any answers. Well I'll leave all of you with this thought: If your involvement and participation in something is clearly keeping you apart from "our own social equality", then that ultimately reveals where your allegiance lies. And to believe otherwise is nothing but a Pike Dream. (8/1-14) For those of you who already know what's up, I appreciate the work you're doing to continually advocate true Social Justice. The Father (Allah) and other Men and Women who demonstrated this unwavered integrity couldn't be bought or sold! And it was because of this commitment to our common cause that we are here today.

Peace,

Saladin

Cryptic Codes

 

"Audio files and file cabinets by the Patmos Isles/swimming the Nile with Peter Wolf and his two exotic rooks/cooking sundials/creating secret potions of an ageless child/out last the time avalanches and Quahadi dances.../through a ceremony and Seracean demeanors/see what I mean?/see what I'm meaning?" -Self (Cryptic Codes)

Over the years with the expansion of the Internet and Social Newtworking, I've learned more and more how important it is to not take for granted what someone knows or what they've been exposed to when I'm striving to communicate my ideas. As a Journalist I've also learned as a rule of thumb "don't assume or take for granted where others are in their growth & development and be specific in regards to the audience I'm targeting." In many of my Articles you've noticed that I often highlight certain words/phrases in red and then put a numerical reference at the end of the sentence in red. This is specifically done for Gods/Earths who have those cultural references so they recognize exactly where I'm coming from.

Because I'm usually not writing/speaking to the general public in our (The NGE; The Nation of Gods and Earths) pure language, I've been able to target a much larger audience who're sincerely striving to grow and develop. People reach out to me from all over the World all the time about how easy to understand I make the Principles/Values within my Culture and I really appreciate that! It's just confirmation for me that I'm communicating effectively. People also reach out to me and raise questions about what I've written/said and often ask me to elaborate further on something I may have only mentioned or didn't mention at all. I also appreciate this because these sincere exchanges help me learn to communicate even more effectively. 

"We can't give someone Understanding; they have to cee things for themselves. What we can and are responsible for giving them is the best opportunity to Understand and for us to be Understood, and this is done through effective communication."

As Gods and Earths our language can be very cryptic and abstract, not only to outsiders b.u.t. even to those within our Nation depending upon how they were taught and their exposure to other Gods and Earths. We are not a monolithic group. There are some Gods/Earths I know personally who are directly involved in their City's Local/Regional Politics while there are others who wouldn't touch Politics with a ten foot pole. There are Gods I know that say it's all (and sometimes only) about Supreme Mathematics while negating the importance of memorizing 120 Lessons while other Gods will tell you strait up that 120 is the Foundation. There are Earths who know little to nothing about 120 and others who know, speak nd understand 120 better than alot of Gods. So just within our Nation alone there is a wide range of perspectives; some Culturally based, others that aren't Culturally based, and can poise various challenges towards effective communication and coming to a Cultural/National consensus. This is WITHIN our Cipher. Now imagine the communication challenges that exist with those who are clearly on the OUTSIDE of our Nation... Consider what it takes to come to a consensus with someone who really doesn't know about or hasn't been exposed to your Culture. Even if they have been exposed to something or know of something they came across on the Internet or even Books, that poises an initial challenge of finding out what that exposure was, how much they were exposed to and if that exposure was the right or wrong perspective. I've had experiences with People reaching out to me about learning our Culture and when I asked them about what they've been exposed to, just their honorable mention of some People's names told me what type of job I would have in store for me if I decided to educate them. Cee, many of us are under the impression that "Building" is all about telling others what we think. I think we're more effective listening to what others know and what they've been exposed to first. Then we can more accurately determine what their needs are and if we're even capable of meeting those needs.

Just because someone asks for something, especially something that is Culturally sacred (such as Supreme Mathematics, Supreme Alphabet and 120 Lessons) doesn't mean that we should give it to them. 95% of the time (85% + 10%) they don't even know what they're asking for! Instead of just handing them Supreme Mathematics (with your name on it!) or even Lessons, stop for a moment and ask them what is the reason they want to learn. You may be floored by their response. So it's best to find out up front if this person is really sincere about growth & development, only interested in boosting their lyrics, getting a Man or using your Righteous Name to shield their dirty Religion. Some People literally approach learning our Culture like you're hittin' 'em off with a lick. They usually have no idea that "The Knowledge" they're asking for is really a lifelong relationship that's based upon a our commitment to improve ourselves, others and our environment. One time I asked a dude, "What's the reason you want to learn?" and he said, "It's like, I'm just striving to get that money and I'm going to get it regardless!" I've also had other experiences with People sniffing around wanting to learn and if I didn't invest the time to find out what they knew and had been exposed to I would have ended up "Deputizing" undercover active Knights Templars or Pan-Hellenics.
 

In closing, I cannot stress enough the importance of effective communication. When we don't invest the time to find out what others know, don't know, have been exposed to or haven't been exposed to BEFORE we start communicating where ew're coming from we always run the risk of leaving them to their own devices. In otherwords, don't assume or take for granted that others have an Understanding of the word 'freedom' the way you undestand it. You may be using the word 'freedom' in relationship to cultural development and they may think you mean "Doowutchyalike" (Do What You Like!). The so-called Intellectuals or 'People Who Study Everything' might think you're saying we need to be more like "Caligula". The next thing you know this person walks away from a whole conversation you had with them about 'freedom' and now they're confidently sharing their Hedonistic ideas with others with your name attached to it... The bottom line is this: Just because someone nods their head and keeps their mouth shut it doesn't mean they understand or agree with what you're saying. You won't know for sure where a person's head is at or how they're processing the information you're sharing with them until you simply ask them. Ask them how they cee what you're saying and ask them to explain what you're saying in their own words. You'll both be learning because they may raise some questions or point out more effective ways that you can communicate. This way you're giving them the best opportunity to Understand and for you to be Understood. That's indeed Equality and the premise upon which effective communication and harmonious relationships must be built. If not, there will be obvious inequalities and comprehension gaps. If something is important enough to us to share with others.., then it's also important enough for us to do our best to share it.

 

Peace,

Saladin 

Lupe Fiasco



 

Lupe Fiasco for President!

-A Message to the Voters/Non-Voters-

 

With the Presidential Election underway I've come in contact with many People who don't Vote and aren't involved in the Political Process. Cool. I definately understand how they think. What I don't agree with is the apathy that accompanies non participation. In otherwords, although they can give you a laundry list of reasons why they don't Vote and aren't involved in the Political Process, rarely do they share even a few concrete, practical alternatives to not Voting or not being involved in the Political Process. It always leaves me wondering just how much thought they really put into Politics (The Science of Power) and the Political Process itself. It also leaves me wondering about their concern for the many People who actually share their sentiments... Without having any concrete, practical alternatives to an Ideology, Program or Political Structure we don't support, we consequently support that Ideology, Program or Political Structure by default. For example, if we don't support Public Schools because we claim they suppor the misducation of our youth yet aren't providing viable alternatives such as Charter Schools, Home Schools, GED Program and etc., then we're apathetically supporting the same system of miseducation we accuse the Public Schools of promoting because we ourselves have nothing to offer. Therefore, the youth are left to stay in Public School or drop out and fend for themselves. I can't speak for you b.u.t. I don't think those are very good alternatives.

The above paragraph exemplifies a common non-participatory approach I cee many People take towards 'unsolving' the problems we face. We often have a various creative ways of critiquing problems, pointing out flaws and articulating why we aren't going to support something yet invest little thought, time, finances and etc. in providing actual solutions. The next time you hear somebody explaining why they don't do something or support a certain program, ask them what do they suggest as an alternative. More often than not, you and they'll be surprised what they actually come up with. What you will find, in most cases, is that they never even put much thought into doing something about it beyond words. This sheds light on a greater problem than the ones you heard them pointing out in the first place.

One of the lessons I've learned growing up and that was reinforced through gaining Knowledge of Self is that it's not enough to point out a problem without striving to provide a solution. Growing up in a household with six siblings we were all responsible for taking responsibility and playing our part. There was always work to do and playing the 'blame sombody else game' didn't allow us to get the work done. Yes we tried and were usually unsuccessful. In order for our family to operate with some basic level of efficiency we all had to pitch in and help -whether that was doing dishes, dusting or have a sock party (where we'd all sit down and match the washed socks). Likewise, in order for our communities, cities, counties, regions and states  to operate with some basic level of efficiency we all have to pitch in and help too. Me and my siblings weren't allowed to get away with pointing out a problem and not striving to do something about it or not being held accountable for helping solve it. I couldn't imagine my Ole Earth or Ole Dad running around to put out brush fires, and there were alot, everytime one of us ran to them about a problem. Wisely they delegated responsibility to us by age and taught us to develop problem solving skills to address these issues ourselves. I'm thankful I got it and learned to further develop this strategy towards Life as I've grown and developed. I'm sure that many of us didn't grow up in this way and possibly the 'blame somebody else game' was a way of life in our household, yet that doesn't sentence us to a life of irresponsibility. As Adults we have a choice and if a philosophy or approach towards Life isn't working out for us we have the power to change that.

I would like to make a few suggestions to those of us who aren't voting in the upcoming Presidential Election or who aren't involved in the Poltitical Process as a whole. First and foremost it's important to recognize that your non-participation makes you an unwilling participant by default. You're still subject to all of the Governmental Policies and Procedures that are enforced on a National, Regional and Local Level. To simply choose to have no say (voice) or opt out in how these Policies and Procedures are drafted, implemented and enforced on a National, Regional and Local Level doesn't mean that you, your family, your community and your place of employment won't be affected by these Policies and Procedures. As a matter of fact, to choose to have no say (voice) translates into your 100% approval. If we don't approve then surely we should be willing and able to provide some concrete, practical alternatives that we approve through participation. If we haven't come up with anything we actually do or we can encourage others to do, then we're doing ourselves and others an injustice by having nothing to offer b.u.t. words. Keep in Mind that if it really came down to it People will drink mop water if there's nothing there for them to drink... So this is what I suggest to those who don't Vote or aren't involved in the Political Process:

1.) Do something about it. If you're not Voting or involving yourself in the Political Process then come up with some practical alternatives. When I say "practical alternatives" I'm talking about concrete activities People can engage in right now that will help empower them in a way that Government is supposed to. I'm talking about practices that can be implemented amongst those who share the same sentiments on a daily basis that serves the needs of the People. If you don't agree with the Governments Policies towards funding Arts Programs then do something about it by establishing an Arts Program or committing yourself to helping financially support Arts Programs.

2.) Network with those who share your sentiments. Network doesn't mean get together and vent, trade conspiracy theories or beat up on Fox News about what's going on in this Society. You're intelligence and their intelligence equals a whole lot of intellectual compacity to either change the System as we know it or set up your own. If that's not the reasoning or goal for why your congregating with eachother then what's the point? Personally I and many others may agree with many of your thoughts about Politics and the Poltitical Process b.u.t. simply because we got together and didn't do anything above and beyond talking, we feel no more inspired, educated or empowered about the future than before we met.

3.) If you're not actually doing anything about it then save your time and breath. I didn't say "going to do" something, I specifically said "doing" something. In my short lifetime I've been to many meetings to meet about something to plan another meeting about what we need to meet about. Years, Months and Days later nothing has changed and the same concerns exist. A simple rule I've learned to follow is that if I don't have anything to offer than I don't have anything to offer. Make sense? In otherwords, if I'm not in the position where I know for a fact that I can get someone employed, I'm not going to have a long discussion about how a person needs to stop hustling or sitting around not working. Usually THE FIRST THING People who are in positions will say is, "I don't have a choice" (there aren't any alternatives). And if you can't provide any alternatives then you are simply a part of the problem. I know you mean well and don't cee yourself that way b.u.t. that's what you actually are. Hey, you may be able to get them a job at Burger King which ain't equal to the paper they make on the block b.u.t. at least it's some thing. Something they probably won't have to always look over their shoulder, over the counter or through the drive thru to do. If anything, they'll at least recognize that you cared enough to provide an alternative for them beyond a mini lecture and you never know, they may follow you up on that! 

In closing I just wnat to emphasize the importance of being Proactive. Regardless if you choose to Vote and be involved in the Political Process or not, we all need to play a positive and productive role in our families and places where we live (communities) to ensure that it's a better place for us, our children and our elders. There are many things we share in common and take a vested interest in regardless of our Political or Non-Political stances and it often takes a shift in our Geopolitical landscape (Hurricane Sandy) to cee this and work together. So regardless who gets elected as the President of the United States, lets at least agree to commit ourselves to being Presidential in our families and communities. Lets at the very least agree to take more responsibility and be accountable for the change we desire to cee, not simply in words b.u.t. in deeds!    

Peace,

Saladin