The Black Commentator - Issue 186

Amir Sulaiman of Uprising Records and Good Stuff Entertainment speaks frankly about the new witch hunt and being under federal surveillance as a Spoken Word artist, African American male and a Muslim.

“I consider America my country. This is beyond the sentiments of patriotism or pride. It is a matter of fact. My people have deep roots and a long history in this land. They have invested their blood in the soil of the South, in the factories of the North and the frontiers of the West. Upon the backs of my fore parents, this nation was built. My family’s history in this country precedes the White house, the Pentagon even the Constitution. America is my country.” – Amir Sulaiman, “The High cost of Freedom of Speech”

Cleverly hidden beneath the cloak of Civil Liberties, is the reality that thousands of citizens face: such a thing no longer exists. Vengeful lawmakers and politicians have hijacked the right we once called Freedom of Speech, replacing it with an agenda other than the public’s best interest. In a post 9/11 world, scores of innocent people have come forward retelling experiences of detainment, interrogation, “secret” hearings, and downright harassment. The most horrid of all, of course, is the imprisonment of hundreds of multiracial people in the Navy’s Guantanamo base, most of which are reported to be completely innocent but still without effective legal representation five years later. Amnesty International has labeled this as one of the greatest human rights scandals at the hands of the US government. Yet, by the same token, the world prior to 9/11 held similar injustices in the clandestine efforts of programs like COINTELPRO whose sole purpose was to infiltrate and dismantle what we have now come to know as the grassroots movement.

According to the ACLU, the government hastily implemented an expanded version of this country’s laws regarding surveillance of citizens. Both Hip Hop and Spoken word artists have a reputation for conveying the truth and in doing so, influencing the very disposition of their listeners. Although the truths of the world we live in after the tragic events of September 11th may have slipped under the emotional and political radar of most, some artists found creative ways to relate their outlook. One such creative spokesman is Amir Sulaiman, whose appearance on Def Poetry in February 2004 both shocked and motivated his audience. Russell Simmons stood in awe of this fiery young speaker, commanding the attention of not only those on the set, but more importantly, the multitudes of poetry-goers watching HBO’s airwaves. Following the premiere of that episode, Amir Sulaiman and his family encountered frequent and intrusive visits from the FBI, inquiring about his “anti-American poetry.”

It didn’t stop there.

Amir sought legal counsel, but was still harassed with incessant phone calls, issued an invasive grand jury subpoena, and put on a government list that works in conjunction with airlines disallowing him to fly anywhere. In spite of all the harassment, Amir Sulaiman still cooperated by returning phone calls but to no avail – the federal agents didn’t give him the same deference.

“In a new world, wrought nearly insane with paranoia, I, simply by being Muslim, have become a threat. In an old world, still stuck in the muck of racism, I, as a young Black man, am still a threat. This fear is further compounded by my refusal to remain silent in the face of such blatant hypocrisy, thievery, and tyranny.” – Amir Sulaiman

While, he is neither a suspect in any criminality nor convicted in any trial, Amir Sulaiman and others like him are still being strategically profiled and methodically harassed. This tactic of intimidation may, in fact, worry, if not outright scare many, but not so with Amir, who fathers three and leads flocks of spoken word enthusiasts and Muslim youth. His poetic statements make those of Jadakiss, Kanye and even the Dixie Chicks sound like juvenile mumblings. Perhaps it is his rhythmic references to the military occupation of Iraq, the Israeli Apartheid in Palestine, White Supremacy in America or his plainspoken support of political prisoners like Imam Jamil al Amin (formerly H. Rap Brown). Amir’s album Dead Man Walking (2004) took on a much more risqué tone in comparison to his first recorded CD, Cornerstore Folklore. And now in the year 2006, we look forward to the forthcoming release of his newest collection, Like a thief in the Night, where he was joined with Mos Def, Dead Prez, The Last Poets and the phenomenal songstress Goapele.

Without doubt, it is the likes of Amir’s influence that challenges blind patriotism and naïve obedience to the system and what he calls “The Beast.” For decades now, this same system has effectively suppressed the voice of dissent, particularly in urban communities, home to disaffected individuals and political displacement. What Amir symbolizes is a modern-day personification of the Civil Rights era, a figure born to our generation but fostering the sentiments of our elders; sentiments that are fervently imparted in his workshops, a service he offers to any organization interested.

“So what are they going to do with a man with a heart like Turner, a mind like Douglas, a mouth like Malcolm and a voice like Kris? That’s why I am not dangerous, I am danger. I am not angry, I am anger.” – Danger, Dead Man Walking (2004)

One thing is certain: the silencing of Amir Sulaiman will take a lot more than handcuffs and steel bars. It will take all the fascism they can muster.

Q: Who are your main influences, including those beyond the profession of poetry?

A: Some of my influences are from the Black Arts Movement of the Sixties and Seventies. People like Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez certainly influenced my craft. However, Hip Hop lyricism was more influential than these poets, as I learned of the poets of the BAM long after I had begun writing when I was a boy. Even more than Hip Hop the language of the Qur’an, even in translation, colored my speech and gave me the high concepts with plain language.

Q: So, with that said, do you feel that it is the poet or musician’s obligation to provide critical analysis of our society to his or her listeners?

A: I believe it is the musician’s obligation to be sincere. That is all. If he/she is sincerely about justice then he must speak on it. If he is not sincerely about justice I’d rather him not pretend. Rumi didn’t speak much about social injustice but his very personal poetry in turn inspired a socially invested artist such as myself. Everyone has a role. We don’t have time for pretending.

Q: Who have you had the blessed opportunity to work with?

A: I have been blessed to work with some phenomenal artists; some known and some unknown. Of the known, The Last Poets, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, K’Naan, Chuck Treese many of the poets from Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry cast. Masha’Allah, (by the will of God) I’ve been blessed.

Q: Can Spoken Word and Hip Hop affect social change?

A: Spoken word and Hip Hop will bring about the change when the artist in the genres becomes more sincerely invested in the cause of the people. If this happens – a sincere unwavering investment – then the change will be irresistible.

Q: Your poetry has transcended inner city limits and become a voice for oppressed people globally. Is this what you mean by “Bearing the Cross”?

A: Yes, my investment is in this Ummah (global Muslim community) and in the cause of the human being everywhere. That is what my work is for. I feel honored and privileged because to bear the cross is not much different than carrying the flag.

Q: Why do you think intelligence agencies have historically and still do target and harass certain artists?

A: Because we can cause change and they know in their hearts that my power far exceeds their power. Although all I have is a mic and they have a billion dollar intelligence budget with planes, choppers, guns, computers. And the artist just talks or sings or writes. I can imagine it’s frustrating for them.

Q: How did 9/11 and its legislative aftermath change this?

A: Mostly, it just gave a legal front to a behavior that has been going on for years. This broad blanket surveillance is not new, now its just legal.

Q: By your own definition what are civil liberties, what is free speech and how have these been perverted by the state?

A: I do not invest much time in learning the law. There are good people who do and I take advice from them. As far as I am concerned my right to speak has been given to me by Allah (God). So it would be a means of dishonoring myself to go to the agents of this government and ask them for a right that has already been given. My right to speak cannot be taken away, it can only be surrendered. I am not in the business of surrendering.

Q: What was your experience like with being under surveillance and what sort of emotional toll, if any, has that taken on you and your family?

A: My family and I believe in Allah. Our work is in line with the commandments of Allah. After this, fear is foolish. The power that I pull from and the power that they, FBI, CIA, whomever and wherever they pull thier power from are incomparable. The threat that they place in me and the threat of God upon them is incomparable. Perhaps we should interview them about the emotional toll. Here is my question: As you know there is an angel on your right shoulder and an angel on your left shoulder, you have been under 24 hour surveillance your whole life. Do you fear Allah? Do you fear being counted among the tyrants and oppressors? What is the emotional toll of being part of an organization that harasses and kills those who speak the Truth? I, Amir Sulaiman, am not afraid. They have a greater right to fear than I.

Q: What are your thoughts on The Dixie Chicks’ and Kanye West’s political statements?

A: As I am sure they would agree it was their responsibility. Although they are not Muslim and probably never heard the Hadith (prophetical saying); they saw an evil act and wanted to change it with their hands, since they couldn’t they condemned it with their tongues, and hated it in their hearts. And as we know, that is the weakest level of faith. Using wisdom is always better than not using it. Wisdom is honey that sweetens whatever you mix with it.

Q: How do non-Muslim fans react to your conviction with regards to Islam?

A: They respect it. Sometimes we, the Muslims, play down our Islam thinking that the non-Muslims will like us more or respect us more. It is the opposite. The way of Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) garners respect wherever I go.

Q: On the album Cornerstore Folklore you revealed a great deal of empathy for women and the struggles that we face. Where is that compassion coming from, given its rarity in our society and especially in the Hip Hop generation?

A: My mama. She is the one most responsible for my Deen (way of life), my conviction, my life. Secondly, I find Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) especially sensitive to the needs of women and I like to be on his Sunnah (example).

Q: Are you concerned that Spoken Word is on the verge of becoming commercialized just as “Rap” music has?

A: It will. I don’t doubt that. But that does not mean there will be no room for sincere artists. “The Truth has come and falsehood has vanished and falsehood by its nature is a vanishing thing.”

Q: Having grown up in the Hip Hop generation, how would you characterize the changes we’ve seen in our Art?

A: The people’s hearts have become harder and more disease ridden and it shows in the art we create. We have a lot of work to do.

Q: Coming from the perspective of a writer and an educator, how do you feel about the illiteracy rates in the Ummah (global Muslim community) and more importantly about the virtual illiteracy in the urban communities across our country? How might we encourage the youth to become more literate and well read with hopes that they find empowerment and liberation?

A: Subhan’Allah (Glory belongs to God), I wish I had an answer to this problem. I don’t know where to start. The school systems are so toxic and backwards it is hard to find a starting point. My best option is [like] the saying “each one teach one.” Tutor, start small schools, home school. Do whatever you can to educate our children. Wa Allahu Alim (And God knows best).

Yahsmin Mayaan Binti BoBo, a community activist of 9 years, writes freelance articles about culture, music, politics and spirituality while living in Oakland, California. Currently, she is an undergraduate studying for a degree in Political Science & International Relations. [email protected].