True ignorance is displayed in matters of race

Last night my eleven-year-old granddaughter Iman was insistent that I watch the movie Ruby Bridges with her. I was reluctant since I had so many other things to do, plus I am not a movie person but she was so persistent, telling me how much the movie touched her heart and how it was her favourite film. 

So with that I had to comply; plus sometimes you just have to spend quality time with the young ones and indulge in their interests. 

They appreciate and need it, so let’s just do it and give them the time they ask for and so deserve.

Well, I am so glad that I did, for more reasons than one. The time spent with my granddaughter was amazing, I am so proud of her; she is a brilliant thinker with a beautiful spirit. 

Plus, the movie surely gave me an inspiration, a spark of hope because of  the natural resilience of the human spirit.  

The story is real and it’s about Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old black child who made history when she walked the halls of education in a segregated 1960s Louisiana. 

I won’t tell you anymore, but like my granddaughter I would implore you to watch the movie to see for yourself what I experienced. It may be watched on YouTube. 

Right about now, especially with all that is going on in Bermuda, I needed some inspiration. 

I needed to be reminded of the sacrifices that were made and how the struggles of our ancestors affected change and opportunity for us. The spirit of a six-year-old child refreshed my spirit. 

When we tend to hate each other simply because of skin, creed and cultural differences, we appear more ignorant than ever. 

True ignorance is amplified when it is displayed in matters of race. 

It simply does not make sense –– we are one people –– one world, created by ONE GOD, Allah, Lord of the Universe. 

Malcolm X realized this during his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he saw races of all nations, coming together as one. 

Pure racist

Before then, Malcolm was a pure racist, and he was unapologetic in letting the world know it.  

But on visiting Mecca to perform the pilgrimage rites at the first house of worship built for the worship of the One God, he was immediately enlightened on the oneness of mankind.    

Malcolm X, who later changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, saw the true equality of man when he witnessed believers of all colours, and all social levels, standing to worship… the One God, the Creator of all mankind.

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz now saw that the problems facing man were based on their own rejection in not following God’s command to love one another in brotherly love. 

He also understood that all men could live together as one when they sincerely worship Allah and carry out the obligation Allah has placed on mankind regarding their interactions with one another. 

In the Ruby Bridges movie the psychiatrist alluded to this fact, which he saw when he observed Ruby and her tremendous strength of spirit. 

In his own words, as told to Alex Haley, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz wrote: 

“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and such overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as is practised by people of all colours and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham and all the other Prophets of Holy scriptures. 

“For the past week I have been truly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colours. I have been blessed to visit the Holy City of Mecca … There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. 

“They were of all colours, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all practising in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white.”

 Allah says in the Glorious Quran, 49:13

“O mankind, we created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you and God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).” 

 Allah has a purpose in the diversity in His creations and He tells us plainly in the above ayat what it is –– so let us stop bickering and get on with the business of having Justice and Equality and Love for Each Other. Ameen. 

By the way, start today Bermuda –– draw back your bow and let your arrow go straight to each other’s hearts and be loved!