The Black Professor and Da White Cop

I, like many other so-called minorities, am very distrubed by the arrest of Professor Henry Louis "Skippy" Gates, Jr. Maybe I should not be. Maybe I should put on my rosy-colored glasses and act as if we are now living in a color blind society. Maybe I should forget that there is still injustice in American society. Maybe I, as a Muslim, should not concern myself with such issues that DO affect my life as being a Puerto Rican and a Muslim. Maybe we do live in a post-racial society. Hey, it can't be that bad if we have a Black president, right? Maybe it is right and justified for a policeman to arrest a man who who was just a little perturbed by the officer's inquiries into his presence at his own residence. Maybe I should not take sides and be a bit more reserved and just "wait till all the facts come out." Maybe I should shut up and be a good citizen because cops are just trying to make us safe and secure (except of course if you are a black man who can't get into his residence). Maybe I should just assimilate into the Muslim mainstream that is trying to fit in with the value of the middle class.

Khalil Al-Puerto Rikani

Clarkville, TN

Interview with Rapper "Loon" turned Muslim - 2 Jul 09

An Oral History of Islam in Pittsburgh - Part Two

An Oral History of Islam in Pittsburgh - Part One

Roots - "Allah the Merciful"

Skip to 7:13 where Kunta Kinte calls out to Allah in prayer.

Justice Sotomayor and Death of Steve McNair

We shall soon see as to whether or not Sotomayor will be the next Supreme Court justice. I was suprised to find out the other day that she is a Boricua. I was also further suprised to learn that she is (or at least was in the past) a supporter of independence for Puerto Rico. Sotomayor and I have many things in common. That is, that both of us were born in the Bronx and are Nuyoricans. Her politics seem to be progressive, and I agree with most of progressive politics (minus all their stances on social issues). I hope that she does become the next Supreme Court justice.

On another note, I was suprised and alarmed to learn that Steve McNair was killed in Nashville, Tennessee. I took an interest in the story since Nashville is only about 50 miles from where I live. I also took an interest since this story involved a female with a name that appears to have some Muslim connection. I was hoping and praying that this would not turn out the be another story that involved Muslims murders. It seems that some other people were speculating to some "Islamic" connection such as Neocon Latina (http://neoconlatina.blogspot.com/2009/07/did-islam-play-role-in-murder-of-steve.html).

Alhumdulillah, this murder did not seem to involved any Muslims. I am still not sure as to even if Sahel Kazemi was a Muslim. She may have been born a Muslim, but the absence of practicing Islam can negate one's faith. As is evident, it does not seem that she was practicing Islam even if she may have originally come from Iran. Neocon Latina claims that she was a Bahaii. Allah knows best. Either way, my condolences go out to the family of all of those who died in this tragedy.