Identity through Creed and Nationalism
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Noble Drew Ali envisioned a transformative way to redefine what it meant to be African American, seeking to detach this identity from the negative connotations often associated with being Black in the United States. By tapping into religious principles and advocating for a national identity over a racial one, he aimed to reshape the understanding of Black identity. Drew Ali rejected the notion of biological blackness, asserting that all inhabitants of Africa are part of the broader human family, thus promoting a vision where cultural and national affiliation take precedence over racial classifications. He believed true identity stems from a shared history, creed, and values, advocating for separating people into their respective national groups rather than adhering to a singular, biologically defined race. He argued that Black individuals must return to their roots—specifically their Moorish and Asiatic heritage—because, as he stated, “By not being true to their heritage and its obligations, blacks had suffered the worst of fates: they did not know who they were and instead accepted the labels of their oppressors” (Curtis, 55). He emphasized that “through sin and disobedience, every nation suffered slavery since they honored not the creed and principles of their forefathers” (Curtis, 55). For Drew Ali, redemption would not come from the acts of a single Black messiah but through the collective actions of a whole nation, insisting that uplifting “fallen humanity” must include linking oneself with the “families of nations.” This approach was not merely a denial of racial identity but a deliberate strategy to escape the derogatory attitudes tied to Blackness, repackaging traditional notions of race into a more empowering framework rooted in culture and nationalism.