Dear 7 Percent Nation

Dear 7 Percent Nation,

Please excuse the formality of this letter.  I wanted to approach you with the utmost care, hoping not to offend or put any one on the spot.  For though this may come off as a rather strange letter, I write with absolute sincerity.

My name is _______________.  I am a white, 31-year-old theatre actor who dabbles in music, writing and filmmaking.  I currently live in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Harlem.

An influential part of my youth was spent listening to consciousness rap of the early 90's(K.M.D., Public Enemy, BDP, Brand Nubian, Two Kings and a Cypher, X-Clan, etc.)  That education is inextricably linked to a certain poetry I felt.  Now that many years have passed and I am an adult, I would like to recapture this poetry in my own life.

It is difficult for me to ask for what I am describing.  The request requires much introduction.

I have no illusions about how Black Islam views the white man, myself included.  I would never stoop to the level of so many white liberals in thinking I can somehow reconcile the inequalities and suffering and overcome our radical differences.

Ideally, I would like to attend some gatherings, classes perhaps, be allowed to take notes and shoot footage.  Please understand, I'm not interested in a hard, literal portrait of your organization, only the most deranged and loose evocation of its essence creativity and the moment can offer.

I'm not entirely sure what I can give you in return, making this request all the more ridiculous.  I have little money and no notoriety.

Is there a precedent for what I'm asking?  Jean Genet, the writer, was able to move among The Black Panthers and I was hoping I might be able to, for just a short time, move among you.

Thank you for your time and consideration,

______________________