Renewal that comes from

The restaurant's name threw me at first, but Wayman X Favors cleared that up when we ate breakfast at "Your Diner."

Life on Quindaro Boulevard in Kansas City, Kan., has changed since the United Nation of Islam moved in, exposing the distressed community to some uplifting ideas. Favors, general counsel for the religious group, and I ordered the "Eye Opener" meal at Your Diner and talked about the past, present and future of the African-American community.

A year ago the 18th Street and Quindaro Boulevard area was the scene of drug sales, shootings, robberies and muggings. "It had one of the worst reputations in the city, " Favors said.

"But men and women who avoided the area are now making it their business to stop here," he said. The difference is the one story brick restaurant; its wholesome breakfast, lunch and dinner menus; and its devoutly committed new ownership.

Favors stressed repeatedly that the United Nation of Islam was not investing in the black community to make money. The organization's purpose is to spread an idea.

The United Nation of Islam has committed bricks, mortar and other resources to the idea of teaching African-Americans to think. "It amounts to the salvation of a people who have given up on themselves," Favors said.

"Part of the problem is we substitute our feelings for thinking," Favors said. "Most of us say", 'I feel,' or , 'I believe.'

Black people must become accustomed to "thinking mathematically," or in absolutes. These never vary, Favors said. Other self-improvement concepts include getting African-Americans to be of service to each other and to combine their pennies, nickels and dimes into rebuilding the long-neglected community, as the United Nation of Islam is doing.

Historically the Quindaro area had been the promised land for runaway slaves. That glory can be revived through African-Americans working together to break the chains of poverty and their enslavement to feel-good things.

"We want people in the community to see more than despair, hatred, envy, jealousy," Favors said. "We want them to see what it could be -- the most beautiful community in the United States."

The United Nation of Islam has put those principles into practice, opening Your National Banking System; Your Cleaning Service and Civilization and Business Center, 1200 Minnesota Ave.; Your Service Station, 1313 Quindaro Blvd.; and Your Diner 1846 Quindaro Blvd. The buildings had been vacant and run down.

"That's a specialty with us," Favors said. "We take what other people discard -- things that have lost direction and purpose -- and provide them with purpose."

The Islamic group's sun-red flag has a star and crescent moon symbolizing freedom, justice and equality. The banner adorns each piece of the group's property.

The colors stand out at an old furniture store at 1726 Quindaro Blvd., which The United Nation of Islam will open as Your Supermarket and Your Bakery. Your Construction Co. also is re-doing an apartment complex into what may become Your Community.

"Mere thought counts for nothing unless it's carried into practice," said James 2X, national secretary for Solomon, leader of The United Nation of Islam.

Kansas City, Kan., Councilman Nathan Barnes calls the developments "welcome additions to The neighborhood."