'Bring me the ears of the White Devil': The fall of the Nation of Yahweh
As word spread that the jury had acquitted four white Miami-Dade police officers in the 1979 death of Arthur McDuffie, a real estate agent and former marine who was allegedly killed during a heated confrontation with police, a sea of rage rolled across the African American community and for three days people continued to pour out into the streets to show their anger, the turmoil ended with 18 dead and 400 injured, thereby resulting in the 1980 Miami riots.
In the aftermath of the riots, there was no question that a great deal of work was needed to rebuild the economic vitality of the city. The African American community was in dire need of a strong leader who would take pride in their culture and hold the elite accountable. Enter Yahweh ben Yahweh, a religious leader with a mission to bring peace; one who instantly struck a chord with his African-American brethren and inspired thousands of followers in a matter of months to eventually form the 'Nation of Yahweh.'
Giving us a glimpse into the rise of the Nation of Yahweh at the time is retired FBI Special Agent Jim Bernazzani as he says in Oxygen's latest documentary 'Uncovered: The Cult of Yahweh ben Yahweh': "There were legitimate concerns of the disenfranchised. These people needed help."