The Blackman’s Infinite Future: Black Muslim Futurities in Muhammad Speaks

Through its newspaper, Muhammad Speaks, the Nation of Islam articulated a vision of Black Muslim futurity grounded in self-determination and scientific progress. This paper considers how Muhammad Speaks presented decolonizing African nations as exemplars for its own dream of an independent nation within America. The newspaper portrayed new African nations as rejecting European influence by “doing for self” and embracing scientific tools to improve health outcomes and increase economic productivity, and it encouraged readers to identify with their progress. As such, these stories were more than news. They offered evidence that Black people were reclaiming their rightful position as the leading civilization on Earth and provided a model for Black people in America to follow as they built their own independent nation. From news about industrialization in Ghana to science fairs at the University of Islam, Muhammad Speaks offered readers a glimpse into the vibrant future Black Muslims were building.