1. gigi wrote:

Marc,

Can you please share your sources that prove Elijah Muhammad was out to be famous. Thanks in advance.

2. Marc Lamont Hill wrote:

Sources?

First, I really was focusing on the “rich” part for Elijah Muhammad. In many ways, he was certainly more comfortable with Malcolm and Louis in the forefront. That said, it is my belief that is nearly impossible to be famous on that scale –he was huge in his time– without some effort. His face was on the cover of every NOI product and he did major interviews with mainstream news outlets.

To be clear, this is not a critique, as I regard The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad as one of the two greatest and most significant black leaders in American history.

3. gigi wrote:

Thanks. Maybe he was simply a marketing genius (branding) or thrust into the spotlight because of his position and instead of running from the media decided to stand erect and define himself.

4. Marc Lamont Hill wrote:

All of the above may be true. Nonetheless it doesn’t negate my argument, which is that Elijah Muhammad made a decision to be famous. This stands in sharp contrast to a cat like Warith Dean who was thrust into the spotlight in 1975 and ran from it. I’m not saying one approach is right or wrong, just that there both occurred…

5. Jameelah wrote:

Wow, Marc, seems you came back from vacation bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to blog.

6. gigi wrote:

He made a decision to be a leader and the rest came with it. I only take issue with one part of your argument and that is ,”aspired to be rich or famous.” It is inferring that Elijah Muhammad’s aspirations were rooted in a desire to be famous and not the resurrection of the black man in America.

7. native wrote:

thanks Marc, good read!

8. Tanya wrote:

“I regard The Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad as one of the two greatest and most significant black leaders in American history.” – Dr. Marc Lamont Hill

WOW!!!

What would cause anyone to say such a thing???????????????

9. Regkam2 wrote:

Tanya, whats wrong with Marc’s statement?

Also, Marc, who is the other leader?

I would say Malcolm, Martin, Booker T Washington, and Marcus Garvey

10. Nubian King wrote:

Elijah Muhammad has PRODUCED some of the greatest black leaders of our time (Malcom, Ali, Farrakhan) and has introduced Islam to the economic lower classes in a way that has transformed lives. you can also argue that Muhammad and the N.O.I. is the precursor to the black power movement.

11. Tanya wrote:

Nubian King,

I could understand the argument that Elijah Muhammad PRODUCED a great black leader (Malcolm X).

But to say that he is “ONE of the TWO greatest and most significant black leaders in America history”, borders on hyperbole, and raises significant doubt in the viability of the other significant leader according to Marc. I mean, who’s Marc’s number two, Mumia Abu-Jamal???

In fact, I think that hyperbolic statement is irresponsible and extremely insulting to all the great black leaders who have done extraordinary things, and overcome extraordinary circumstances, and reached extraordinary heights to move the black community and black people forward. (King, Marshell, X, Houston, DuBois, Douglass, Garvey etc. To say what Marc said, he is placing Elijah above 6 of these greater men!)

BTW – Didn’t Elijah Muhammad order Malcolm X killed? Didn’t he father illegitimate children? Didn’t he molest under age girls? I don’t think he can even be noted as a marginal religious leader, much less a significant part of American history.

Maybe Marc meant to end his article with:

In Sha’a Allah

Instead of:

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un”

Ha!

12. gigi wrote:

All of the above mentioned might be true. However, you can not discredit the effective foundation for self determination he provided.

13. Regkam2 wrote:

I think that Marcus Garvey provided the original blueprint to Black power movement. In fact, Elijah Muhummad and the NOI patterned a lot what they done from the UNIA. Check out the philosophies and opinion of Marcus Garvey. Also, Garvey was a heavy influence of Malcolm (since his dad was a Garveyite).

14. Regkam2 wrote:

Nubian, I don’t know about Farrakhan…the jury is out.

15. Nubian King wrote:

In all due respect, if Garvey was our contemporary I believe you would have your doubts too. Based on your posts, it is obvious that you have a problem with comtemporary and civil rights era leadership. I don’t think that they are perfect but I am not ready to condemn them. I’m sure Garvey has many things in his closet also. If you listen, read, and observe to Farrakhan through your own lense (and not the media), it is hard to argue about his influence and effectiveness. In your opinion, who are 3-5 greatest black leaders and what makes them so?

16. Regkam2 wrote:

In response, I wouldn’t look at Garvey in the same as I do of Farrakhan because I not only go by what they say (I’ve seen Farrakhan live several times, use to subscribe to Final Call, and have many of his tapes), I go by what they do. Farrakhan really hasn’t said much as to how Black folks can get out of their situation, Marcus does. Marcus Garvey BUILT businesses and attempted to create a shipping enterprise before he was indicted. Marcus didn’t mince words when it came to traitorous Negroes, Farrakhan ‘kicks’ it with damn near everybody. Hell, even Malcolm knew that ‘every brother ain’t a brother’. One more point, at the time of his imprisonment, the UNIA had over 10 MILLION blacks and people of color as members worldwide. How many people are currently in the Nation? I don’t go by what someone says, I go by what they have done. Farrakhan’s legacy largely stand on the shoulders of what Elijah and Malcolm built. He even stays in the house that Elijah Muhammad stayed in.

17. Regkam2 wrote:

Nubian King, 3 to 5 Black leaders of the US or the world?

18. Tanya wrote:

Regkam,

I’ve missed your insightful comments!!! Where you been bruh?

BTW – “every brother ain’t a brother” – Sooo true!