Occupational Hazards

of the Five Percent

Every job has its own occupational hazards, including the job or the duty of a civilized person. Our 17th degree in the 1-40 asks us "What is the meaning of civilization?" The 18th degree teaches us about our job as a civilized person, which is teaching he [or her] who is savage civilization, righteousness, the knowledge of him [or her] self, the science of everything in life, love, peace and happiness. The 19th and 20th degrees elaborate on the consequences of not following through with our duty, and reiterates our responsibility as civilized people. In these lessons that emphasize our duty, occupational hazards or sources of danger that provoke illness, injury, or the possibility of incurring loss or misfortune are undefined. If we had a thorough Enlightener and a positive support system, they taught/teach us about these pitfalls and how to avoid them. Sometimes this isn't the case and we learn about these pitfalls on our own. These potential illnesses, injuries, losses, and misfortunes are what I consider the occupational hazards of the Five Percent, and today I want to shed light on some of these pitfalls; an effective strategy we can use to avoid them.  

Some years ago I met a young man through a woman who stayed in the same apartment building as me. He was in his early twenties, interested in learning knowledge of self, and told me although he didn't knowledge 120, he was holding civilization classes at his house for some of the youth in the neighborhood. He invited me over to add-on and he wasn't lying. When I got there it was about a dozen youth, ranging from ages 10 to 15, in his basement with paper, pencil and a listening ear for what I had to say. This went on for a while and we would hold classes every other Saturday until one day it was like this young man disappeared. Years after that he would resurface and I would see him from time to time in transit. It was always the short build on Today's Math, a commitment to connect, and I wouldn't hear anything from him again until I saw him on the front page of both our local and regional newspapers. According to the press, he was so-called affiliated with a Blood Sect out of NYC running drugs, and the youth he [and indirectly I] were teaching were a team of pre-adolescent/adolescent hustlers being assembled. He was indicted under the Federal Drug Kingpin Law and given 10 years; a charge that carries a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $2,000,000. He was given 10 years due to a plea agreement from cooperating with local and federal law enforcement agents involved in investigating the Bloods and other violent street gangs. Whether any of this was true or fabricated, this is some of what the regional papers printed about his arrest, prior to his incarceration:

"At the time of his arrest, investigators described him as a 'high-ranking member' of the Falls’ Bloods set. His home was characterized as a 'Bloods’ clubhouse ... used for organized meetings by the Bloods.' Investigators said a large collection of Blood-related photos and paraphernalia was also discovered at his home. 'He would meet regularly with a group of Bloods (at his home),' Falls Police Narcotics Division Capt. said, 'and he seemed to be pretty dominant (in the gang’s operation).' The local Bloods set was identified as 'control(ling) a large portion of the crack cocaine and (illegal) firearms distribution in the Falls.' In his plea deal, he admitted to being the leader of a narcotics trafficking street gang for more than three years. He also admitted that he controlled or supervised at least five other drug dealers, engaged in multiple narcotics transactions and earned substantial income from the sale of crack cocaine."

I share this as one example of what I would consider an occupational hazard. To this day I am not sure if the Feds have a dossier on me from simply being in what they defined as a Bloods' clubhouse. With the job I've been performing as a civilized person [a youth advocate within my community/region, online via this blog/videos, publically speaking, publishing books, and operating a A.S.I.A. Prison Correspondence Project where I communicate with and distribute literature to people incarcerated around the country], imagine the potential losses and misfortunes involved in me getting caught up in a situation like this. Consider the actual losses and misfortunes this young man, a father, suffered from getting caught up in this situation. And when I say losses and misfortunes I'm not just talking about personal losses and misfortunes, I'm talking about positive contributions and support our people, community and society loses from situations like this. That is misfortune. I definitely don't regret the fact that I taught civilization to this young man and the youth in his neighborhood, I have learned to better position myself where and when I teach. And this awareness has allowed me to minimize the risk factors that can result in the possibility of incurring loss or misfortune, for myself, and anyone that I associate with.

Since I've had knowledge of self, there's always been debates about right or wrong amongst the Gods and Earths, and with good reason. It's important to constantly evaluate and re-evaluate the rightness or wrongness about what we say and do as civilized people. I also think it's important for this conversation be framed in such a way that broadens our perspective and our willingness to listen and learn from each other. One approach I've learned is to frame the subject of ethics [right or wrong] as a conversation about occupational hazards (i.e. What are the potential losses of putting yourself and family in that position as opposed to what you [they] stand to gain? What are the pros and cons of that action? How does that choice benefit or hinder your ability to effectively perform your duty?) So instead of just having a philosophical debate on right or wrong, it becomes a practical discussion about effective and ineffective ways to perform our duty as civilized people. In other words, we assess right or wrong within the context of results; "What's in it for you?" as Life Justice would say. If our true intent in being civilized is to mean it, then we've declared that knowledge, wisdom, understanding, culture, refinement and not being a savage in the pursuit of happiness is of special importance to us, and those who mean it too. Sometimes people may lose sight of the fact that we are here to help each other grow and develop. The purpose of framing our builds within the context of results is not only to be scientific, but to emphasize the love and respect we should have for one another, and to maintain peace within our ciphers. We are not URL Battle Rappers and I've been in ciphers where people greeted and departed the Gods/Earths with the word "peace", yet everything they said and did in-between their arrival and departure was everything but peace. Real peace is what links our love for one another and our happiness.

In closing, I want to encourage us to continue working to build and maintain our solidarity by supporting one another in the positive work that we do. Also, remain mindful of the occupational hazards that undermine our ability to stay solid and unified as civilized people. Aside from the external environment of living within this wilderness of North America, Jealousy, Envy, Lust and Hate are some of the most significant occupational hazards we're dealing with as a people; they fuel a pursuit of happiness a person hasn't found within themselves. This raises the risk of being a savage and the probability for illness, injury, loss, and misfortune to occur to us, and those who associate with us. Consider all of the risks we've taken, the risks we've seen others take, looking for happiness outside of self. More importantly, Jealousy, Envy, Lust and Hate doesn't bring people closer to together, they work to separate people and drive them apart... That's hazardous to any relationship, family or community. Jealousy, Envy, Lust and Hate are the same postures/attitudes 30% of our people had towards each other in Mecca during the time of Yacub. Discontented with themselves and what others were doing, they used their dissatisfaction to slowly draw a line in the sand and disassociate themselves from aligning with their own people. Yacub and his clique of followers then relocated to an island to do their own thing, and the devil was eventually born from this division, isolation, and antisocial behavior.

When it comes to civilization, none of us can do it alone or on an island. Whether we choose to admit it or not, we need each other. The cultural development of our people is multifaceted and requires all of our expertise and participation. The belief that we personally have to be the Leader with all of the answers parallels what's been said about Yacub having a big head, him finishing all of the colleges and universities of his time, and seeking to ultimately possess 366% of knowledge. See, if we are truly dedicated to "peace" and the common cause of performing our duty as civilized people, there should be no problem with building about effective and ineffective ways to perform that duty; we have each other's best interest at heart right? It's not about coming together anymore, it's about being together and doing what is positively needed to remain together for the greater good of the people and our planet. Anything less, would be uncivilized.

Peace,
Saladin

The 30th Annual Family Day in Power Hill (Philadelphia)

I-Freedom Born, Divine Universal, C'BS ALife, Lord Life Justice, Unikue Thorough and Justice Understanding

The Fossil Phrase Phenomenon

    The idea of "Fossil Phrases" came to me one day when I was commenting on one of FB Friends Status. She mentioned the phrase "Old Heads" and it struck a chord because I'm not used to hearing some of the younger generation using phrases like that. Not to say I'm an "Old Head", b.u.t. many of the younger generation I directly or indirectly come in contact with are more prone to use phrases like "I ain't even trying to hear that" and "I ain't feelin' that" to describe their relationship with the older generation; which are nothing more than 'mute buttons' for the advice an "Old Head" or anyone is striving to share with them. Heck, there are many People my 'physical degree' (age) and older following suit! The fact that this young woman even used this phrase says volumes about her Principles, Values and Family Dynamics as a whole... It was refreshing. Refreshing enough to write a whole Article about the fossilization of phrases.

    When I was coming of age there were various different phrases, lingo, proverbs we used to describe and define where we are at and how we were livin'. Some of these phrases, like "That's cold blooded!" were recognized nationally while there were other cryptic phrases like, "I'm going to the Office", that were locally understood amongst my peers. Regardless if these phrases were national, regional or local they all served the same purpose; Psychologically and Socioeconomically orientating us. For example, "I can't call it" was never a response me and my companions used when someone asked us, "What's going on?" We had an answer, even if it was negative, we at least knew what to call it. A couple generations before me, because of the Socioeconomic Climate, the answer to "What's going on?" would have been a variation of "Revolution". I think that as long as we're continuing to at least ask eachother, "What's going on?" there's always going to be an opportunity to consider where we are at, how we are livin' AND what is actually going on.

    Anytime a People elevated their condition, whether from a primative state to a level of civilization or from a menial position to that of entreprenuer, they had to undergoe a process to reorientate themselves Psychologically and Socioeconomically. Within this reorientation process came a change in the way they communicate; how they define, describe themselves and also process data communicated to them from the World. In otherwords, elevation was made possible on one condition, that a person grow! In the Bible it talks about being as a child and speaking as a child and when we grew to become a Man (or Woman) we put childish things away. Well our commitment towards growth & development is always apparent in the what/how we communicate, whether that's through our words or ways. It is my position that the fossilization of certain phrases that convyed important Principles, Values and reinforced positive Family Dynamics for us as a People is one of the reasons why many of our present generation "can't call it"...

    One of the most interesting things about The Nation of Gods and Earths (Five Percenters) is that since our inception we've taken a direct approach towards reorientating People, particularly the youth, via a Cultural Worldview that codified a unique language, phrases, lingo and proverbal wisdom to transit/receive Principles, Values and reinforce positive Family Dynamics that elevate our condition. We, like many of our Ancestors at various times and in various different geographic locations, recognized a need for People to grow & development and take responsiblity for aiding others in their growth & development. And for these relationships to be resourceful, sustainable, and perpetuated, there had to be a language to hold these bonds together. So within our language we don't say, "What's up?" to one another. We simply say "Peace". It's the way we greet eachother and the way we depart. A common phrase we also use is, "What's the science?" This basically means, "What are you aware of, what do you know or what are you studying/learning about life right now?" This way of communicating with eachother demands not only a level of responsibility/accountability for what we're doing in our lives and for eachother b.u.t. it also communicates that our Worldview is rooted in reinforcing critical analytical thinking skills. If a God/Earth were to ask another God/Earth "What's the science?" and they replied, "Nothing" or didn't have a legitimate explanation for what they're doing in their life that's the first sign that they're "stagnating" <----- as we call it, which means "they're dull, inactive and not growing"; the complete opposite of what our way of life is based upon. Although the concepts we hold fast to and language we use to convey/reinforce them about how we should treat one another, our relationship to nature, dietary/healthcare choices and etc.. is Ancient (Classical), we express many of these concepts in a Contemporary context. For example, the Ancient proverbial wisdom, "If you are a person who judges, listen carefully to the speech of one who pleads." would be communicated in our language as, "When you do the knowledge to the cipher that's Just I cee equality." So in comparison to the Ancient proverbial wisdom we actually take it a step further by informing someone that “getting to know a person, place or thing is the basis for us being able to treat that person, place or thing fairly". Of course this only explains what that means on the surface and there are many deeper meanings to the phrase, "When you do the knowledge to the cipher that's Just I cee equality." If I translated that phrase Numerically (in a Mathematical Equation) all I simply said was, “1 + 0 = 10”. Alphabetically? Justice. It’s pretty sophisticated and isn’t a language and way of living a person can thoroughly grasp by remote viewing it. In my Articles, Videos and Books I strive to translate our Cultural concepts and communicate them in the everyday language of the layperson. Some things I can, many things I can’t; because a person would have to live this Culture, oftentimes for a substantial number of years, before they’re able to understand many things.

    Over the years People have always been intrigued, interested and attracted to the sophisticated way we (Gods/Earths) communicate with one another and how we describe/define the World. What many fail to realize, even those who have personally studied our Culture through an Enlightener, is that the language, phrases, lingo and proverbal wisdom we use aren’t “Fossil Phrases”. They’re not out of date, antiquated nor do they ‘belong’ to the past. I say this because even within our Culture there are certain phrases, lingo and proverbal wisdom that was shared by our “Old Heads” that some of the present date Gods/Earths don’t use anymore. For example, the phrase, “Science it up!” which was commonly used in the 1970’s is rarely used today. With the present day backdrop of Pseudoscience, Ghetto Scholarship and Illuminatiology paraded around on the Internet and through the Media, the phrase “Science it up!” would do alot to help our present generation to stay rooted in and reinforce their critical analytical thinking skills. The fossilization of valuable phrases such as this can only mean one of two things A.) “I can’t call it.” or B.) The younger generation must create Contemporary phrases that reflect Ancient concepts. Regardless if it’s A. or B. both of them point to our responsibility/accountability as Adults to assist them in the process. Even if that means refusing to respond to them in a language that promotes stagnation b.u.t. being wise enough to offer them a fly alternative. I mention that because I know/talk to alot of Adults who cringe and complain when they hear the youth saying ‘Nigga” or other colorful words/phrases yet they don’t even offer them an alternative attractive enough to make then even consider changing their language. This is why many of the youth “aren’t even trying” to hear that...

    In the Nation of Gods and Earths we have a commone phrase that says, “We preserve the Best Part and don’t care about the Poor Part.” When it comes to those various different phrases, lingo and proverbial wisdom that’s a fundamental part of communicating our Principles, Values and reinforcing positive Family Dynamics, it’s important to preserve them. They are the Best Part! It is likewise important to not show interest or desire in perpetuating those things that stagnate us. That is the Poor Part and it only keeps us in a state of moral, intellectual and physiological poverty. There are many phrases that are fossils and should remain as such yet there are many others that should have never been treated like a fad. To better distinguish the Best from the Poor part start consulting with Old Heads. Ask them about phrases we used and what they meant they’ll ‘make knowledge born’ (‘make knowledge born’ is a phrase that basically means “to make it known so a person will be equipped with the proper information to change their situation"). Regardless if they know the difference themselves, they’ll at least be able to give you information so you can do further research and distinguish it for yourself.

Peace,
Saladin