Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold up, Hova!
Jay Z was seen wearing this controversial medallion at a Brooklyn Nets game on April 1st, and we hope its appearance was some sort of April Fools’ joke, even though its symbolism isn’t any laughing matter.
The medallion carries the same symbol as the Five Percent Nation, an offshoot of the Nation of Islam, which touts that God is purely black, that he could be found in all black men (and not women), and that five percent of all people know the truth and are “poor righteous teachers” trying to inform the rest of the world.
On the Five Percent Nation, author Michael Muhammad Knight says that its teachings are extremely anti-white:
“The rationale is that the black man is God and created the universe, and is physically stronger and intellectually stronger and more righteous naturally. Whiteness is weak and wicked and inferior ├óΓé¼ΓÇ¥ basically just an errant child who needs to be corrected…The first lesson I learned from the Five Percent was simple: F*ck white people. Seriously. White people are devils.”
Well now! This doesn’t sound like a very friendly, tolerant group!
When asked if the medallion in question held any importance to him, Jay Z responded:
“A little bit.”
Oh, Jay! Say it ain’t so. No. Just so much no.
Meanwhile, a representative from the group claims that Jay Z is not an active member, and shouldn’t have been wearing it! For completely different reasons, we happen to agree.
[Image via AP Images.]