A History of the Nation of Islam: Race, Islam, and the Quest for Freedom

by Dawn-Marie Gibson

Overview

This book provides a fascinating, unparalleled look at the Nation of Islam, including its history, the complexity of its views towards orthodox Muslims, women, and other minorities, and the trajectory of the group after the 1995 Million Man March.

The release of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's extensive archive of surveillance files, interviews, and firsthand accounts has made it possible to reveal the truth behind the myths and misperceptions about the Nation of Islam. This comprehensive resource catalogues the times, places, and people that shaped the philosophies from its formative years through to its present incarnation.

The definitive source on the subject, A History of The Nation of Islam: Race, Islam, and the Quest for Freedom draws on over a dozen interviews, along with archival and rarely-used sources. The book departs from the usual "Malcolm X-centric" treatment of the subject, and instead examines the early leadership of Fard Muhammad, challenges conventional views on Malcolm X, and explores the present day internal politics of the movement post Louis Farrakhan's retirement.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313398070
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	04/23/2012
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Dawn-Marie Gibson, PhD, teaches modern U.S. history at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. She teaches courses on the Civil Rights Movement, U.S. history since 1877, and African American Islam.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

Acknowledgments xi

Abbreviations xiii

1 Early Beginnings 1

2 The Peddler, 1930-1933 13

3 Building an Empire, 1934-1960 27

4 The Messenger and His Minister, 1960-1975 49

5 A House Divided, 1975-1977 71

6 The Resurrected NOI, 1980-1990 85

7 Louis Farrakhan and the Million Man March, 1990-1995 111

8 Internationalizing the Nation, 1995-2005 129

9 Surviving Farrakhan: The "New" Nation of Islam, 2006-2009 155

10 Succession 181

Notes 187

Bibliography 215

Index 227

What People are Saying About This

Professor S. Jay Kleinberg

"This path-breaking analysis of the origins of the Nation of Islam [NOI] roots its growth in the socio-economic and demographic changes of the African American population as they moved off the farms and plantations of the South and into northern cities in the early decades of the twentieth century. Dawn-Marie Gibson's meticulously researched investigation of the racial politics of twentieth century United States analyses the charismatic leadership of the Nation of Islam throughout its history. Her study provides a carefully nuanced study of the racial and sexual politics of the NOI throughout its history, especially the Million Man March [MMM] and the way in which Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the NOI in the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, used the mostly hostile press and television to the MMM to launch an international movement and fund-raising campaign. Gibson also explores the future leadership of the Nation of Islam, its sexual politics, and the place of religion in the African American community and American society in general. This work is essential reading for anyone interested in African American religion, politics, and gender relations."

Herbert Berg

"Dawn-Marie Gibson offers an insightful and discriminating analysis of the Nation of Islam. From her new interpretations of Wali Fard Muhammad, the departure of Malcolm X, and the succession struggle after the death of Elijah Muhammad, to her detailed accounts of the inner workings, evolution, and struggles under Louis Farrakhan, Dawn-Marie Gibson removes the Nation of Islam and its leaders from pigeon-holes into which they are too often placed. A History of the Nation of Islam is an exemplary examination of the enduring legacy of the most influential African-American Muslims."

Editorial Reviews

Its large and impressive bibliography will make it a useful and authoritative source for scholars from other areas or disciplines who need definitive information on the Nation of Islam. . . . For academic libraries that serve a wide range of scholars.” —Library Jourbanal

From the Publisher

The story of this black religious and social activism organization—a story that involves well-known figures such as Louis Farrakhan and Malcolm X—is important not only to 20th-century African American history but to U.S. history more generally, starting with the group's founding in the 1930s. Gibson (U.S. history, Univ. of London), who has contributed articles on the subject to many journals and collections, uses an admirably broad collection of sources to write a comprehensive history of the Nation, with each chapter covering a specific era in its history. The chapters can stand alone, so readers who want to learn about a single period should have no difficulty. For easy reference, each chapter is clearly labeled with a theme (e.g., "Building an Empire") and a corresponding time span. Gibson's frequent and lengthy quotations, however—especially those from third-party sources—and her extensive use of acronyms make the writing difficult to follow. Still, while the book is too general for specialists, its large and impressive bibliography will make it a useful and authoritative source for scholars from other areas or disciplines who need definitive information on the Nation of Islam. VERDICT For academic libraries that serve a wide range of scholars.—Robert Mixner, Bartholomew Cty. P.L., Columbus, IN

Library Journal