This is Charlie Hughes, also known as Sheik Bilal Abdul Salaam-Bey, at the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Hutchinson, Kansas. This piece is called, “The Pledge of the Moorish Man”.
I am the Moorish Man. Some know I am Imhotep, Ramses, Marcus, or Malcolm. Others know I as the brother on the corner or in jail. From this day forward, I pledge our life to the liberation of our people, I will put Allah first in our life. More sisters will feel safe when they see I. I will be a supportive, responsible, and loving brother. I will hug, talk, listen to, and educate our children. I will be involved in my community as a role model, mentor and rites of passage. Because I am the Moorish man, the original man, the one and only. The one that other men are afraid of, because they know wherever I’ve been I succeed. [inaudible/prayer].
I, Bilal, pledge from this date forward, I will strive to love my brother as I love myself. I, Bilal, pledge that from this day forward what I will strive to improve myself spiritually, morally, mentally, socially, politically, and economically, for the benefit of myself, my family, and my people. I, Bilal, pledge that I will strive to build businesses, build houses, build hospitals, build factories, and enter into international trade, for the good of myself, my family, and my people. I, Bilal, pledge from this day forward, I will never raise my hand with a knife or a gun to beat, cut, or shoot any member of my family or any human being except in self-defense.
I, Bilal, pledge from this day forward that I will never abuse my wife by striking her or disrespecting her, for she is the mother of my children and the producer of my future. I, Bilal, will never again use the B-word to describe any female, but particularly my own Moorish sisters. I, Bilal, pledge that from this day forward that I will not poison my body with drugs, or that which is destructive to my health or to my well being. I, Bilal, will do all of this, so help me God. Thank you all for your time, efforts, and energy. Again, anyone wishing to reach me concerning this piece may do so by writing Charlie Hughes, number 96576, Hutchinson Correctional Facility, PO Box 1568, Hutchinson, Kansas, 67504.