Oral History

One of the messages I intended to pass across is the importance of education. I’ve since realised that education is a key factor in every person’s life, so in all my writings you will find that in one way or the other the importance of education is the central theme. The Undesirable Element in particular is a reflection of what obtained in the Northern Nigeria of that period. The situation was that older men who were well-to-do were marrying young girls. And some of these girls were in school. They had to be brought out of school to marry. That was the social trend that time. It was money. Marriage were based on "I’m rich, I can marry young girls.’’ Once you were rich you could do anything in the North at that time.

By Sumaila Isah Umaisha (May 19, 2007)

All that the old writers can do is to help with editing the works of the young writers. Beyond this, I don’t think they can do much because, writing, you have to do it yourself. -- Labo Yari, Writer

LABO YARI, author of Climate of Corruption, the first novel in English language to be published in Northern Nigeria, is one of the renowned pioneer Nigerian writers. He is particularly famous for his highly imaginative narrative style that portrays the social realities of the Hausa/Muslim community vis-à-vis the Nigerian society in colours that scream for a change. Yet, the soft-spoken novelist and short story writer, who is one of the founders and life patrons of Association of Nigerian Authors, is among those who believe there is a limit to which writers can change the society. He made this and other observations on literary issues in this interview with me.

Comedian Bill Cosby touches people's lives, not only with his humor, but also with his activism. He'll soon head back to TV in his native Philadelphia. He'll be a creative consultant to the school district's local-access station. The programming will reinforce lesson plans and give parents the opportunity to talk with their children about education. Cosby attended the city's public schools, has a bachelor's degree from Temple University and a doctorate in education.

Interviewed by Alex Haley

Within the past five years, the militant American Negro has become an increasingly active combatant in the struggle for civil rights. Espousing the goals of unqualified equality and integration, many of these outspoken insurgents have participated in freedom rides and protest marches against their segregationist foes. Today, they face opposition from not one, but two inimical exponents of racism and segregation: the white supremacists and the Black Muslims. A relatively unknown and insignificant radical religious Negro cult until a few years ago, the Muslims have grown into a dedicated, disciplined nationwide movement which runs its own school, publishes its own newspaper, owns stores and restaurants in four major cities, buys broadcast time on 50 radio stations throughout the country, stages mass rallies attended by partisan crowds of 10,000 and more, and maintains its own police force of judo-trained athletes called the Fruit of Islam.

The Pierre Berton Interview of Malcom X

Interviewed by Pierre Berton (January 19, 1965)

PIERRE BERTON: At the time of President Kennedy's assassination, you made a speech that seemed to indicate that you were pleased that he had been assassinated. Certainly at that time, Elijah Muhammad indicated that you had been fired or suspended from the Black Muslim movement. How about that?