The narrative of Yakub creating white people is a central tenet within the Nation of Islam’s theology. It posits that a Black scientist named Yakub, living 6,600 years ago, engaged in selective breeding to create a “white” race from the original Black population. This process is described as a deliberate act of creating a race of people predisposed to evil and deception.
This belief system serves several purposes within the Nation of Islam. It provides an explanation for the historical oppression of Black people, attributing it to the inherent nature of the created white race. It also reinforces the idea of Black people as the original and superior race, offering a source of pride and identity within the community. Furthermore, the narrative offers a framework for understanding racial dynamics and historical injustices through a religious lens, impacting social and political views within the Nation of Islam.
