Still, says X, the movement is needed. “Our youth understand the power of unity,” he says. “They’re getting together in what’s called gangs.”
X worked at the East Liberty “E-Fest” on July 9 as one of the more respected hip-hop acts on the billing. After his performance, a dozen middle-school-aged kids with blue and red bandanas faced off. It looked like a riot was about to break out until police intervened, ultimately shutting down the entire festival. X wishes the intervention would’ve come from a different source.
“There wasn’t enough of us there as concerned black men,” says X, the shadow of his gray wool cap covering his eyes. “There were just three of us on hand.”
“Us” are X’s brethren from the Nation of Islam. But as the kind of racial discrimination that triggered Black Nationalism has become more covert, so too has the “whites are devils” messages that once emanated from NOI. The NOI still concentrates its rallying efforts on black communities. However, they’ve recently begun opening doors to others to participate in the Millions More Movement, scheduled for October 14-16, in Washington D.C.
“It’s not just blacks this time,” says X. “It’s also Latinos, Arabs, Asians and even poor whites who’ve been oppressed.”