Bismillah (With the name of God)
As Salaamu Alaikum (Peace be upon you all)
"One God, One People, One Destiny"
(Marcus Garvy)
This is a web page dedicated to honor the memories of my father, J.Y. Burks, cousins LeRoy Outlaw Sr. and Jr. and all of my loved ones who have gone on before me. Special thanks to the "griots", my cousins on Ervina Cowley-Burks (my mother) side, Kaytherine Shumpet and "Poochie" Nolan Cowley, Jr,Donna Hodo.
University of the Southside of Chicago
I was born on the Southside on November 12, 1956. 1979 I began my re-education process at the mosque on Stoney Island with Imam W.D. Muhammad. I read a series of recommended books that altered my perception of his-story. The Holy Qur'an, Yusuf Ali translation, The Miseducation of the Negro by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, The Destruction of Black Civilization by Chancellor Williams and World's Greatest Men of Color by Dr. J.A. Rogers. I thirsted for more knowledge. I studied world history and the Arabic language. Then came the "Roots", computers, and the Internet.
"Roots Next Generation" was the history of what happened to our people in Lauderdale and Haywood Counties in Tennessee. Thanks to the "information highway" I have found 1870 census records of the Burks and Outlaw families in west Tennessee. They were there when Col. Nathan B. Forrest and troops marched through Nutbush, TN before there was a "Nutbush City Limit" and massacred hundreds of Black soldiers at Fort Pillow. Our families were there during the sinking of the Civil War rescue ship "Sultana".
1880 census show that Martin Burks', was born about 1820 in VA. and that his mother's birthplace was Africa. Many of the Burks family that lived in Ripley, Lauderdale County, Tennessee. are descendants of Martin Burks.
Haywood County records show that Jo Outlaw and Cena Crowder were married in 1871 and that an A.J. Outlaw came from Bertie County, NC. The Outlaw family of Haywood County is sited in books written by authors from there area and much had already been recorded on the county's genealogical websites. The search for more information continues.
What's in a name? The slave-owners names will be recognized until we find our true names, but as a statement to honor my forefathers and there unique struggle, I have selected the last name of SAABA.
I believe that the All-Mighty's Peace and Blessing will come to all of my people. So keep the faith.
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