by Sapelo Square
This month we have presented several articles from the 1975 issue of Sepia magazine. Some featured Black Muslims (Who Will Inherit the $80 Million Black Muslim Empire and The Miracle Man), while others focused on legacies (Comeback for Black Jockeys) or centered perspectives from the African diaspora (What Africans Think of Black Americans). As the end of February approaches, we’d like to showcase the magazine in its entirety. There is still more to see, including finding out the men that Jesse Jackson admires most, Tamara Dobson’s rise in film, and how Willie Morrow built a haircare empire. Be sure to take a look at the Letters to the Editor which provides a glimpse into the thoughts and lives of Sepia’s readers. The features present elements of self-determination and excellence while highlighting the societal elements that have made that do-for-self mentality vital for our people. Taking a look back through this issue emphasizes the importance of our diverse and collective history as African Americans and how our stories have always been and will forever remain connected.
Hameem Habeeb | June 20, 2024
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I remember this article when it came out. My best friend in the Nation now transistion remarked ” there was a LOT OF HISSING IN THAT ARTICLE ” Using the allegory of a deceptive snake.
Now we have 4 plus decades to judge the career of Minister Farrakhan and his ” rebuilding” of the work of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. After spending $5million on the Salaam Restaurant boondoggle and flirting with Scientology I personally am still waiting on the cultural Impact on the African American community of this rebuilding effort with the same effect of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad . Looking at what could arguably be called the high mark of this 40 plus year effort is the 800, 000 man rally. What has been gained form this outpouring of time and money from the African American community?
The cost of the event as reported by the organizers was $2,000,000 or so.
800,000 participants times a conservative $300 estimate per person( travel, hotels, food etc ) in 1975 dollar is $240,000,000 million dollars spemt by the African American community for a one day rally,
Minister Farrakhan spent considerable time and effort travelling city to city to drum up support for the rally. The NOI brother and hours spent considerable man hours on the rally that can also be translated into dollars and cents. You do the math.
So my questions are after spending that much money, time, and manpower ,and everyone who attended pledging not to hit another black man in the head. or call a woman a Bword, where is the effect in the African American community of the divine mission?
2nd question when did or will the Minister Farrakhan,with his great charisma or his acolytes plan to criss cross the country for months on end to drum up support and money of let’s say $2,000,000, to fund an institution in lets say Chicago, that would fight Urban Violence in the African American community. Wouldn’t that save African American lives ?
Anybody that can blunt Urban violence in any city in America has to be a leader and you wouldn’t need a mother ship in order to do it.