I was speaking to my boss the other day about Farrakhan and how I hadn't heard hide nor hair of him a good long while.  I heard him speak back in 1992/1993 when I was a college Freshman at a university that I'm sure wants to remain anonymous...lol.  I was sitting with a group of friends (one of whom was white).  There were actually quite a few white students there along with a myriad of other racial/ethnic groups.  We were all there together to try to get the university to support the building of a Black Cultural Center on the campus.  There were a few other speakers on stage that night.  By the time Farrakhan was finished with his "the white man is the devil" speech, you could tell that most of the folks there (black and white alike) were shell-shocked. I agree with you that some stuff (a very small amount) he says makes sense but the majority of the stuff he says is just plain crap and it's hateful.  I feel you on the keeping one eye on him because you know they say a leopard can't change his spots.  And that's all we need is for him to decide tomorrow he wants to go back to his old ways.

Naw, The Minister is telling you - something - But all of your Ideas all come from the white man (self hate and self doubt). The minister is saying that Obama will be the HEAD of State and we need to live in a NEW world where the whiteman is no longer KING with all the answers.  A world where peace, justice and equality will be on the front burner.

Never again will you have to be told that Black people can't do this or that because it is the LAW (Or you’ll just have to wait until president decides what to do with your demands for equal rights).  Today, Mr. Bush asks you to deplete the US treasury! 2.5Tillion in the last SIX weeks alone with no end to it in sight!.

Still SaayT tells us the Million Man March did not happen (??? Shell shock!)  The Fact is The Minister is not looking for a JOB nor is he giving you something to do. But he is telling you to lift up your IDEAS and bring about a better day for all of US.

That said - Obama is the highest point - upon which,  MLK, SDLC, NAACP, UL, BPP, NOI  and a thousand other Black organizations  can all agree.  

YES WE CAN AND NOW IS OUR TIME.

I'm not sure I like the tone of this article. You can ask a dozen people about what they think of Min. Farrakhan and you'll get a dozen different responses so you are certainly entitled to your opinion. For the most part, those who really know of him in the black community generally have a favorable impression. Personally, I'm not a member but I've been to multiple NOI events and heard him speak but never walked away with hatred toward anyone as some would have you to believe. I enjoy the lectures and the enlightment. But what concerns me most about what you write is the idea that we need to keep an eye on Min. Farrakhan. A religious leader whose movement you don't have to join, whose members don't insight violence, whose followers are peaceful and who does his duty to uplift the communities that are hurting for good leadership. What you should be saying is that you'll always keep one eye on Obama or McCain or whoever the next president will be who actually has real power and whose leadership could be detrimental to your way of life. Keep an eye on those who can break you physically and financially. Keep an eye on those that can send you and your kids to die at their whim. Not religious leaders who only ruffle your feathers. Hitler, Napolean, Idi Amin, and Mussolini weren't religious leaders, they were all elected officials.

Along with the so-called "white men/devil" speeches is also this dialog.  This is nothing new to but a great many who feel he is promoting hate, which is sort of the same code-speak we hear from so-called "middle Amerika" and the ever-dreaded "socialist" mantra, but that's whole 'nother section (see greed/hoarding).  Yes, it has for some time come to folk's attention that there is a global network growing with vast amounts of experiences we can relate to regardless of affiliation.  I might not tow the line with Farrakhan 100% of the time (neutrality is a mutha!), but he has and still does make some key points that others aren't articulating enough.  

Isn't that what happened to the former Governor of Alabama, George Wallace?  After years of expressing racial hate, he too changed his "colors" after becoming seriously ill.

Posted By: DivaStudio54 (October 21, 2008 at 10:39 )

Isn't that what happened to the former Governor of Alabama, George Wallace?  After years of expressing racial hate, he too changed his "colors" after becoming seriously ill.

No, he didn't change his evil ways.  Someone pumped a bullet into him that severed his spinal cord, and left him paralyzed from the waist down.  I mean, how much of a hateful, racist badass can you be when you're wheelchair bound, right?   You can't stand up and make hate speeches, you can't block the doors of institutions of learning, because hey...you can't stand up!!

Payback is indeed a ***, ain't it?

Minister Farrakhan's teacher, Elijah Muhammad, once said that all one has to do to demonstrate intelligence is to speak on subjects one knows about, and avoid speaking on things one doesn't know.

Keith, any of your readers who have had more that a PASSING AQUAINTANCE with the Minister and the Nation realizes that there is NOTHING NEW about the Ministers awareness. You sound like Cristopher Columbus Keith: you tuned in to the Minister's latest speech (or were or read about it) and "discovered" how well-rounded his message and then WROTE ABOUT IT as some sort of revelation, never considering that Minister Farrakhan has many supporters and followers, official and unofficial, who know that he is truly a deeply religious man of character, and always has been.

Stick to subjects you actually know about or have experienced yourself because it is evident to those of us who have listened to the Minister over the 40-PLUS YEARS THAT HE HAS LABORED ON BEHALF OF BLACK PEOPLE that you are NO DIFFERENT than most of the shallowly-historically-engaged black folk who make sideways comments about the motives of the Minister: you get your information on him and the Nation of Islam secondhand.

Keith, your right, we need to keep an eye on Farrakhan.  I personally don't think he has experienced a "spiritual awakening"; I think he is experiencing what he sees as an opportunity. Fortunately, I have lived long enough to have lived and experienced history. Although I was a child when Malcolm died, I clearly remember sitting with my parents as we listened to Ozzie Davis's speak at Malcolm’s eulogy.  I also remember the words of the Elijah Muhammad and his then young minister Farrakhan as they spoke of Malcolm getting exactly what he deserved.  So Farrakhan, you are now spiritually enlightened ?  i don't think so….

i joined the NOI back in 1992 & immediately saw the 'universal' theme the minister spoke of sunday. but brotherman where you been?

did you not know that Elijah Muhammad frequently had white visitors from around the world at his home? (with minister malcolm present on a few occassions) he also went on a world tour way back in 1959 including mecca & medina & his last lecture in 1974 he spoke of the same 'universal' theme.

as for the minister back in 1984 he hosted an ecumenical saviours day address with representatives from all faiths, races, ect. in 1986 he did a major speech in phoenix on the oneness of faith. in 1993 he spoke at the parliament of world religions in chicago & hosted the entire conference, all races, all faiths at his home. i could continue but the minister has always been an enlightened guide with a deep spiritual understanding of the oneness of faith & humanity.

what so many get twisted is the fact that NATIONALISM is a necessary stage of development for any oppressed, colonized people. gandhi was a nationalist. mandela was a nationalist. bob marley was a nationalist. the dalai lama is a nationalist. get the picture?

one can only express true spiritual love for all humanity through a heart that has endured great suffering - in the case of black folks in the americas - by focusing acutely on self, rejecting the white supremacy view of self, then falling in love with self - this tremendous love is then contagious and then can extend to the whole human family. so this is the case with Farrakhan.

act like ya know, keith

To SJRESSE:  For starters, I don't have any self-doubt or self-hate.  I know what I am and who I am.  And all that I learned from my PARENTS and GRANDPARENTS.  They taught me who I was.  They are the ones who said go to college and get an education.  They are the ones who told me I could be anything I wanted to be and believed in me.  Neither I nor my parents or grandparents subscribe to what Minister Farrakhan says.  I'm not saying he doesn't make some good points about some things.  Statistically speaking, he was gonna be right about something some of the time.  And perhaps he's helped some black people who didn't have anyone else in their lives to help them.  However, I take issue with you trying to tell me that the Minister is the one responsible for letting me know that I'm equal to everyone else.  I already knew that.  Why....because GOD made it so.  God gave me good sense and great parents who loved me and let me know that no matter what everyone else thinks...I am intelligent and capable.  I am insulted that you assume that my ideas come from the white man.  How about I just have good common sense and a family that taught me right from wrong.  I assume (since you say I get my ideas from the white man) that growing up in a strong family where values were taught and hard work was the key to making your life better isn't just something white folks know about.  As I recall we black people are very strong on family values (and not the stupid republican so-called family values) and that started before the Minister was on the scene.

RINGSHOTTA and DR SPACEMAN... I appreciate your butt-kicking, but I NEVER said Farrakhan or the Nation of Islam hasn't contributed enormously to black self-awareness or black economic/social progress in some communities.  However, I did put a light on Farrakhan's sudden shift [that HE ADMITS HIMSELF and many of his followers]. I also put a spotlight on Farrakhan's alleged involvement in Malcolm's murder [which I believe is worth spotlighting].  I don't suggest that Farrakhan isn't a deeply religious man. It's OBVIOUS he's deeply religious [and I've heard plenty of his speeches over the years, in person and on CSPAN], but being religious doesn't exempt you from scrutiny.  Reverend Jesse Jackson claims to be a religious man as well and he's said plenty of unsavory things.

Furthermore, I'm well acquainted with the impact of white supremacy and its underbelly, as I'm aware of black nationalism and its underbelly.  I read, brothers, I'm learn-ed.  All I'm saying is I'm suspect.  Respectful, but suspect.

To Dr Spaceman, in particular:  just because I challenge something black doesn't make me white or shallow [im talking about the Columbus reference], it makes me someone who doesn't swallow everything just because somebody black, or white, says it's the truth.  

I've never seen him wear a costume before.  He is doing it now because its getting close to Halloween?

Keith: I certainly wasn't calling you white. Not even on the sly. I simply don't play those "who is the blackest" games. To me, black is black. By calling you Columbus I meant simply that you seem to think you "discovered" something that was already in existence and known by people LONG BEFORE YOU BECAME AWARE OF IT (Farrakhan's complex worldview).

I last heard the Minister in person 12 years ago, and he was making all of the same points you mention in this essay way back then. Honestly, that was when I started to tune him out because *brace yourself Keith* I actually prefer the scary, pro-black, anti-white Farrakhan of lore to the kinder gentler Minister who was borne out of his post-MMM World Friendship Tour. But that's just me. As for what you swallow . . . that's on you, bro.

My point to you is singular: none of this is NEW or NEWS (except to you).

I remember the 60 Minutes interview back in year 2000....I remember how tense and angry Malcolm X's daughter Attallah Shabazz was during that "meeting".  And I remember Farrakhan trying to blame the FBI, while at the same time, acknowledging that he in fact, created the atmosphere that led to Malcolm X's assassination.  How do you continuously call for the death of whom I consider to be one of the greatest Black leaders of all time... then claim to have "loved him all along"?

I lost my respect for him after that interview.

This is a disappointing post for reasons that others have already documented (see High Octane, dr spaceman, and ringshotta). So I'll add only this: It's not possible to reduce the complexity of Min. Farrakhan (both good and bad - and his role in the killing of Malcolm X is certainly "bad") to some six-word sound byte titled, "The White Man is the Devil."

Such a distortion of fact panders to the same ingenuous caricature creation that you claim to despise when so-called Republicans do it to Obama via the much-maligned "Obama Waffles," "food stamps," etc.

"The White Man is the Devil?" Coming from the NOI, this is 50-60s rhetoric at best. By the 90s, the group had moved to a different space in terms of both politics and religious doctrine, and Farrakhan himself had moved to a different space spiritually. But I think you know that, Mr. Adkins. So the real questions becomes, why reopen old wounds, in 2008, when progressives and radicals alike had already spent countless hours, all throughout the 90s, battling racist whites over the interpretation of a few words in what were notoriously long, complex lectures and speeches by the man? And like another commenter said, why are you pretending the MMM never happened? A mere race-baiter - even if he did manage to contribute to Black self-awareness, as you acknowledge, could never have pulled such an event together. So what's YOUR agenda?

I'd say let us all keep an eye on YOU, that is if I thought that either you or Min. Farrakhan had any REAL power. But, again, as another commenter pointed out, I'd rather keep my one open eye on the few men who have their hands all in my motherflippin pockets!

Regardless of point of view, this is a great thread ----- article and comments.  From SassyT's contribution (October 21, 2008 at 3:32 PM) the following ------- "go to college and get an education." ------- was a point of departure for thought. Hence I proffer the hereinafter:

The basis for effective human interactions and transactions is the true interdependence of the various actors and an appreciation for the obligation of fortune.  This requires BOTH schooling, training, and skill-development (st & sd) and education, two different things.

As elaboration, true interdependence necessitates the prerequisite of relative independence. The sequence is dependence -> independence (relatively speaking) -> interdependence.  It is an error of major strategic import to attempt to move from a state of dependence to one of interdependence (true, that is), skipping the requirement to have first ensured that the knowledge, skills, experience and demonstrated performance has firmly established that the intermediate stage of relative independence has been achieved.  Each element of a true interdependency has to be essential to that interdependency.  Each must, so to speak, bring something to the table, i.e. be independent (relatively speaking).  

With regard to an appreciation for the obligation of fortune, the following aphorism elucidates:  “The fortune of obligation is, for the fortunate, a deep appreciation for the obligation of fortune.”  Superficially, “fortune of obligation” may seem like an oxymoron.  An obligation can bear down on one.  Fortune ……. Who doesn’t want fortune?  Nevertheless, a closer look should lead one to see that the world would be a much better place if those that are fortunate --- in whatever way --- put, shall we say, a positive spin on obligation and saw it, conceptually, as something which called forth their better selves, as a necessary aspect of their beings.  Furthermore, it will facilitate much more resource-use-efficient communities:  Third party policing will play a minor role to first party policing.  That is, there will be less need for regulations imposed from outside a system, organization, institution, due to the enlightened self-discipline engendered within.  

Further:

A Distinction With A Decided Difference

Much of what we call education is actually schooling, training and skill-development (st & sd).  Education and st & sd are not the same thing at all. The former is about perennial learning, caring and self-imposed behaviour modification for reasons having to do with the obligations of the unique human endowments.  The latter has to do with “making it”.

An educated person who doesn’t care is an oxymoron.  An educated person shuns envy, bitterness, arrogance, hate and non-sublimated anger, and derives no pleasure from others’ misfortune, or satisfaction from the denigration of others.  A person schooled, trained and having developed skill(s) can very easily be uneducated and therefore totally self-absorbed (i.e. inter alia, narrow and uncaring).  In fact, st & sd facilitates the acquisition of resources, which, without education, puts a premium on fame, fortune, power and prestige over wisdom, integrity, restraint, responsibility and obligation.

Further, in highly developed technological society, very strong st & sd skills, particularly in the area of science and technology (interpreted generically, i.e. not just computer and information technology), could well be an OBSTACLE to the process of obtaining an education.  After all, the world is not short on individuals, who, with access to, and control of, significant amounts of resources, display an alarming deficiency in education.  In addition, some of these individuals are so placed in society and/or in a community such that it requires the proverbial child to highlight that “the emperor is not, in fact, clothed.”

Finally, no one can educate anyone else.  Each individual has to educate him/her self.  There is only one place from which one can obtain this education ---- the School of Life.  It is not available in any man-made institution (except to the extent, of course, that such institutions themselves are a small, but integral and important, component of the School of Life).  Those are the places which provide st&sd, at least in part.  Given the foregoing, it is clear that the combination of much st&sd and little education is a recipe for the persistence of inanities such as notions of the fundamental superiority and/or inferiority of groups of the species homo sapiens relative to one another.  Further, given what appears to be, what I shall refer to as, the various distribution functions of types and quantities of st&sd and education among the various groups of our species currently, the existing human transactions and interactions, between and within the groups of the species, are not particularly surprising.

If the capitalist democracy paradigm is to produce effective global communities, true interdependence is the key.  In such a cluster of communities, the variance in quality of life would not be so large as to make, what might be termed, the average quality of life meaningless.  This very large variance in quality of life is exactly the world we live in today.  In fact, there are exceptionally few, if any, COUNTRIES, I opine, in which the same does not apply.

Now, st&sd : education : : intelligence : wisdom

Intelligence and wisdom are not necessarily positively correlated.  Where and when they are, however, the synergistic effects can be profound.  It is hoped that being strongly st&sd’d provides one with a substantial foundation from and on which to construct an educational superstructure as a lifelong exercise.  It gives one pause to observe the extent to which this process appears to be truncated by so many.  Perhaps, that such a process becomes commonplace awaits the next stage of human evolution.

Hey, this is a great discussion. Ringshotta- I'm feeling what you had to say about nationalism in particular. Thanks to KEITH and EVERYONE else for your postings. I'm loving the perspectives here.    

KOBIE... I appreciate your points and your comments [and that's the truth], but let me straighten out a few things:  MY AGENDA is to bring attention to what I find interesting, challenging or worthy of discussion.  I'm not in any position of power. Meaning, I'm not interested in, or have the capability, to change anyone's perspective. I'm strictly in the game for the exchange of ideas.

Yes, the Million Man March happened and for the BLACK MEN who attended and walked away with a much higher sense of ALLEGIANCE and AWARENESS I say IT WAS A MONUMENTAL MOMENT in our country's history.  And again, the Nation of Islam have done plenty for some communities [and Farrakhan obviously has made a significant impact on brothers and sisters throughout the land], HOWEVER, if I want to put the spotlight on some inconsistencies, or a segment of his history that I feel can never be wiped clean [Million Man March or not], that's what's up.  If you completely disagree, that's what's up, too.

Hello Mr. Adkins my friend,

As you know I love and respect your writings which has inspired me for some period of time now.

I would like to state, that maybe you are right about the cancer or a sudden change in Farrakhan's views.  However I believe it could be more  or a positive thing for Obama.  The media has, and continues to associate Obama with both the Middle East and Black American Muslims  communities and some sort of way.  That association is not meant to give him any postive feedback, but more on a negative tip to show America that being a Muslim of faith,  society would never allow you to become President of the United States. This new positive force in Minister Farrakhan, which America has deemed poison for so long may be a good thang. Negativity does not represent the entire religion or culture of Islam.  I welcome the positive media and statements that are being made on Minster Farrakhan, as now maybe some of the negative Obama's association with anyone or anything Muslim can let up.  I am a Muslim living in America, and must face not only discrimination and unfairness for being Afro-American, but how dare I have an Islamic name and expect the same things that all Americans want, desire and deserve.  I think if we all start to see that hatred and any kind of way is wrong, As we all live we all will change, some for the good and some for the bad, Change is an evolution or ourselves and which sometimes allows us to look back and see how we could have did things differently  I say great for Minister Farrakhan to embrace his change it would only help Obama . This timeing is not designed to still the limelight rather then still the spotlight and diminished what Obama is trying to accomplish not only for Afro-Americans in this country, but for all rather race, creed, or religion for all in this country.

That is what's so exciting about the time that we are all in for 2008!

Sincerely,

Your Westcoast Fan

THE CONSCIOUS ONE!... thanks for your comment. Point-taken and certainly respected.

Mr. Adkins,

I feel the death of Imam Warith Deen Muhammad (Sept. 2008) is a recent catalyst for these changes from Farrakhan. Although Farrakhan's evolution began some time ago, the death of one's peers often has a profound effect. Warith Deen Muhammad had been pushing Farrakhan and the NOI to moderate their views for many years.

Send that black bigot back to Africa and we all will be better off.