THE FIVE PERCENT NATION OF GODS AND EARTHS.

By Wade A Bailey.

The symbolism that the Five Percent Nation is most known for.

The Five Percent Nation teaches an esoteric, psuedo scientific mythological set of beliefs, which can only be understood by the symbol literate. Their teaching is an admixture of Islamic beliefs and Esoteric, Occult beliefs coupled with NOI teaching and Black Supremacist Racialist teaching. Allthough they have been called a gang, and dismissed by some as a farcical sect. Many of the most succesful Hip Hop groups and Rappers identify themselves as Five Percenters.

The list is long but I will name some of, the most visible on today's Rap radar and also some of the lesser known, or some who might not be actively rapping today. Rakim called the greatest rapper alive today is a self described Five Percenter.  Poor Righteous Teachers,all of the Wu Tang Clan, Busta Rhymes. The Bran Nubians, et al in the Nazaritze Blog I went into the Five Percent Nation however it warrants another look and that is what I will attempt to do in this Blog post.
First I will reiterate this Blog's purpose which is to introduce information using as my guide post the Holy Bible. My aim is not to promote Euro Centricism nor Afrocentricism, the aim here is to offer fact based information from a bible centered perspective bearing in mind that all of humanity are created in the image and likeness of God. With that being said we know that humans have created systems of oppression in the past and at present in order to benefit from their fellow man's unequal educational, economic or academic position. Bearing these points in mind I approach the subject matter intelligently and respectfully.

The sect was founded by Clarence Edward Smith(Clarence 13X).
Clarence was formerly a student of Malcolm X but due to doctrinal differences left the NOI and formed his own temple in 1964.

There are varying schools of thought amongst the ranks of the Gods and Earth's themselves I will include an excellent op ed, from the online Newspaper the Final Call, which is a media organ of the NOI. The instance of the G and E's being termed a gang was also covered in the op ed here are some excerpts from the (Final Call) op ed.

The book above is the work cited in the ope ed..

 

Is it a street gang of gun-runners, dope dealers, thieves and miscreants, or is it a youth group teaching Black pride to inner city youth? Is it an unofficial offshoot of the Nation of Islam, or a special forces Black Op? Is it a social group created to unify and spread the teachings of Islam to all those in need of knowledge, or simply a trendy cultural anachronism responsible for certain aspects of hip hop terminology?

Much is said regarding the Five Percenters—a youth movement founded in Harlem in the mid-1960s. However, most of what is heard is uniformed opinion, speculation and rumor.

Wakeel Allah, an insider and scholar within the Five Percenters, has written the most thorough and comprehensive treatment of this story of Clarence 13X Smith (a.k.a. Allah, a.k.a. The Father) and the origin of the Five Percenters. At a total of 438 pages and with 432 reference notes, the book may appear somewhat intimidating, but it can be read and enjoyed no matter what level of previous knowledge exists in the reader’s mind regarding the subject.

 

 

 

It is important to understand that like most movements that have become national, and even global in their impact and reach, the Five Percenters are not necessarily monolithic in their views and belief systems, or in total agreement regarding what the group is or represents.

The author delves deeply into the intricacies and subtle variances of the different schools of thought without being disrespectful to any, through forthright and effective dissection of the ideological differences that exist within the group.

For example, on pages 322-323, the author goes into whether the Five Percenters see themselves as an extension of the Nation of Islam or a division of the Nation of Islam:

“Hence, those who see themselves as an extension of the NOI tend to embrace the fundamental concepts of NOI theology. These Five Percenters believe that [his] original intent and purpose of founding the Five Percenters were to spread the teachings of Islam (as taught in the NOI Lessons) to the ‘babies’ in the street who didn’t attend the Mosque. These Five Percenters identify themselves in the lessons as being part of a larger Nation of Islam that encompasses all the human family who “are striving for righteousness” and Black People in particular.”

 

In contrast or perhaps in juxtaposition to that view, he discusses those who would be classified in the category of a division of the Nation of Islam:

“These Five Percenters who are partial to the NOI teachings believe that [he] left the Mosque to establish a counter-teaching or a whole new “nation” that contrasted with the NOI teachings (lessons) or Islam in general. These Five Percenters tend to innovate on the NOI teachings rather than adhere to the fundamental concepts.”

This is a critical point and difference that must be understood, because those who adhere to the latter world view even reject the term “Five Percenter,” preferring instead to be redefined as the “Nation of Gods and Earths.” This has been a source of conflict and great consternation among those whose desire it is to establish—at the very least—operational unity among those with ideological differences within the Black Nation.

In Appendix II, the author’s research uncovers the FBI files on Clarence 13X and the Five Percenters. Special emphasis is placed on the FBI COINTELPRO, which involved the prevention of a unified coalition of Black Nationalist groups in order to stop the rise of a Black “Messiah” who could unify and electrify the masses to unity and action, as well as preventing Black Nationalist groups and their leaders from achieving “respectability” and long rage action.

What makes this book and the author’s treatment of the subject so unique is the fact that New York (Harlem in particular) is very important in the history of the Nation of Islam. As an insider with intricate knowledge of both worlds and movements, Wakeel Allah is able to gain information and weave together a sophisticated tapestry of firsthand historical anecdotes and personal testimonials from those who walked with Clarence 13X, as well as those who have also researched the Five Percenters and the Nation of Islam.

Additionally, many high ranking officials such as the International Representative of the Nation of Islam, Minister Akbar Muhammad were in New York at the time of the formation of the Five Percent Nation and witnessed their growing numbers and influence. The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was the Minister of Muhammad’s Mosque No. 7 and interacted with the Five Percenters in the community on many occasions. Additionally, some key statements by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan dealing with words from the Honorable Elijah Muhammad are cited in the book that are particularly insightful.

Included in the book are transcripts of several actual interviews with Clarence 13X himself. In those interviews, his thoughts, opinions and ideas regarding leadership and the movement are on display. As the founder, most visible head and unquestioned leader of the movement, this perspective is essential to understanding the Five Percenters. You can even observe the unique speaking style and cadence in just reading the interviews and the words of others in their descriptions of “Ciphers” held with “The Father” as he is affectionately called.

What were the circumstances that led to the creation of the Universal Flag of the Five Percenters?; What gave rise to the sophisticated and unique nomenclature of those who are adherents to the doctrine of the Five Percenters?; What were the circumstances surrounding the death of Clarence 13X?

These critical questions and many others are answered in this book.

It is instructive, not simply because of the nature of the topic, but because it demonstrates the need for those writers and scholars within the Black Nation to tell our story and define ourselves. More writings like this are needed. We cannot allow our enemies to position our historical figures and our historical realities.

This book is an essential first step for one interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the doctrine and foundation of the Five Percenters.

(Ashahed M. Muhammad is an author, researcher and the executive director of the Truth Establishment Institute.)

 

My opinion of the Final Call review is that it was excellently written. It offerred a balanced view into the movement. What was remarkable to me is the widespread Cointelpro activity in the Black Community globally at that time. Their unwillingness to see a so called Black Messiah arise was telling to say the least. In the Caribbean the Rastafari movement was subjected to the type of profiling described above Bob Marley was also looked at by the CIA as a possible candidate for the "Black Messiah", they went as far as facilitating his assassination. Again the movement in question was examined for historical context and as a means of drawing attention to the far reaching and ongoing interferance of the CIA, in Caribbean internal and social affairs, as well as their extensive survaillance and murder of Black Leaders then and at present. Give thanks.