Baldwins view of Nation of Islam in Down on the Cross Essay -- James

Superficial situationThe people of Islam emerged as a very powerful organization during the 1960s. peer little of the Nation?s key goals was to create an independent dispirited America. It however preached about the White man as the devil, thus instilling confidence within its followers that White society will be decimated, and Black society will prevail. Through these powerful messages, the Nation of Islam gave African-Americans a championship to divinity and created the notion of Black supremacy. However, in attempting to cement these ideas, the Nation of Islam?s message became extreme to the point of absurdity. While James Baldwin expounds on this irrationality in ?Down at the Cross?, he also understands and agrees with the underlying motivation behind the Nation?s absurd claims. According to the FBI files on the Nation of Islam, one of its principles was to ?separate the black man from the devil through the establishment of a black nation? (FBI). Many publicatio ns propounded on this philosophy. For example, Elijah Muhammad, the attractor of the Nation of Islam, wrote in Message to the Blackman in America, ?it is far more substantial to teach separation of the Blacks and Whites in America than prayer? (Book Summary). According to Elijah Muhammad, consolidation and intermarriage between Blacks and Whites are an attempt by Whites to confuse Blacks, aliment them enslaved, and prevent them from learning Nation of Islams teachings. Furthermore, Blacks who assimilate into mainstream culture were regarded by the Nation of Islam as ?disgraceful Uncle Toms? (FBI) who simply seek to please their ?slave-masters? children? (FBI). Granted, these statements are overture from FBI files which clearly did not support the NOI movement, scarcely the message that the Nat... ...s to nothing less than the perpetual achievement of the impossible? (346). Thus creating a new animal foot for Black society, upon which hatred for other races will be justi fied, does nothing but stunt its ability to achieve its rightful spot in westbound society.Works CitedBaldwin, James. ?Notes of a Native Son.? 1955. James Baldwin Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York subroutine library of America, 1998. 63-84.Book Summary ? Message to the Black Man in America. 8 jar against 2004. http//home.att.net/phosphor/week1a/message.htmlClark, Micheal. Rise in Racial Extremism Worries Harlem Leaders. New York Times 25 Jan. 1960 1+.Federal Bureau of Investigation. Elijah Muhammad. Federal Bureau of Investigation. 8 March 2004. http//foia.fbi.gov/muhammad.htmFineman, Howard and Vern E. Smith. ?An Angry ?Charmer??. Newsweek. 30 Oct 1995 35.