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Langston Hughes: Beaumont to Detroit (1943)

Looky here, America What you done done – Let things drift Until the riots come

Now your policemen Let the mobs run free. I reckon you don’t care Nothing about me.

You tell me that hitler Is a mighty bad man. I guess he took lessons From the ku klux klan.

You tell me mussolini’s Got an evil heart. Well, it mus-a been in Beaumont That he had his start –

Cause everything that hitler And mussolini do Negroes get the same Treatment from you

You jim crowed me Before hitler rose to power – And you’re still jim crowing me Right now, this very hour.

Yet you say we’re fightin For democracy. Then why don’t democracy Include me?

I ask you this question Cause I want to know How long I got to fight BOTH HITLER – AND JIM CROW.

Grandmaster Moses Powell (also known as Master Musa Muhammad) was a legendary 10th-degree black belt and pioneer of African American martial arts. As a devoted member of the Nation of Islam (NOI), he heavily influenced the physical and mental discipline of the Fruit of Islam (FOI).

Role and Influence in the NOI

FOI Training: Powell was a celebrated member of the FOI who revolutionized self-defense training within the Nation of Islam.

National Trainer Lineage: The tradition he established continues, with his students (such as Grandmaster Abdul-Azziz Muhammad) serving as the National Trainers for the NOI under Minister Louis Farrakhan, ensuring members receive rigorous self-defense training.

Philosophy: His teachings to NOI members and urban youth went beyond combat, emphasizing principles of self-respect, discipline, and survival in hostile environments.

Martial Arts Legacy

Sanuces Ryu: Powell founded his own highly effective, combat-focused system known as Sanuces Ryu Jujutsu.

Law Enforcement: He was one of the first African American martial artists to instruct major U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and Secret Service.