Fear and distrust over Black Muslims killings
Fear and distrust over Black Muslims killings

By Ken Raymond

Published: September 7, 2008

Fear and distrust

In the 1960s and early 1970s, when it was at the peak of its power, the Nation of Islam was liberating to its adherents and frightening to much of white America.

Even now, the Southern Poverty Law Center lists the Nation, which differs from traditional Islam in a number of ways, as an active black separatist hate group.

The Nation was formed by W. D. Fard Muhammad in 1930, but was led from 1935 until 1975 by his student, Elijah Muhammad. Its current leader is Louis Farrakhan.

At heart, the group seeks equality in all aspects of American society and encourages discipline, pride and community.

"The Nation taught black people to love and respect themselves,” said Ibriahimah Faal, a local Muslim who is not a member of the group. "They helped black people pick themselves up by their bootstraps.”

At the same time, though, Elijah Muhammad claimed that "all white men are devils,” Faal said, and before he split with the group, Malcolm X called blacks genetically superior to whites.

Fear and distrust on both sides led to tension between Black Muslims and police, even here in Oklahoma City.

"The white officer was not trusted, but the black officer was not trusted very much, either. ... We were seen as sellouts and referred to as Uncle Toms,” said M.T. Berry, assistant city manager and former police chief.