Louis Farrakhan. Just say his name and watch the tension in the room change...
Who is he? Depends on who you are. To some he is the Saviour of the Black man in AmeriKKKa (that's right,I used Cube's triple K- a lil pro-Black throwback).
To others, he is the unconvinced co-conspirator in the murder of Malcolm X aka Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shbazz. To others, he is a hater of White people and Jews. To others, he's a great violin player. To others, he's just crazy.
But no matter what you think of him, you can't think about America and race issues and not have this eloquent, intelligent, passionate man come to mind.
I learned of Farrakhan after listening to PE. I had seen him before and heard him before, but I did not put the voice with the face and make his connection to the NOI until "Nation of Millons".
In 1988 I was young, Black and gifted. I was also 18, and Black men were dying around me in droves. Racial tension was VERY high coast to coast.... Cops were killing brothers and beating them like it was in part of the job description ("serve protect and break a N!##@ neck"). This was the ear of NWA, PE, Do the Right Thing, Bernhard Getz, Yusuf Hawkins and all kinds of personal racial drama...
I felt very alone in terms of being understood- culturally and emotionally speaking. But the NOI and Louis Farrakahn spoke to me...They spoke volumes...I recently found an old tape I made in 1990 of my favorite Farrakhan clips....It's 45 minute long and came from about 10 different talks...He is probably one of the greatest Black speakers EVER....do you remember him on Donahue when he was on 2 days in a row?!?! I still have that on tape....AMAZING...You cannot fake that kind of courage and wisdom...He was spontaneously demolishing people with truth...He had the best mentor to help him be that way to, so, it's not a surprise.
I had friends joining the NOI all the time. Some of the best behaved, most polite, most sincere, most well spoken, well dressed and most respectful and courageous men I have ever known were in the NOI.
I saw them protecting Hip Hop shows. Making sure Black women were respected on the streets and calling things as they saw them. I personally know men who were crack dealers and REAL THUGS who changed their entire lives and became upstanding citizens because of the NOI. SEEN IT WITH MY OWN EYES...The teachings of Elijah Muhammad DID that. I can't deny it.
But I had one problem. I have always believed that the NOI killed Malcolm X. I have always believed that Louis Farrakhan had a hand in that murder.
Nevertheless, I went to go see Khalid Muhammad at the age of 19 at San Francisco State. You might remember him from being on PE's "Night of the Living Baseheads" as well as on Ice Cubes best album ever- "Death Certificate".
So, I go to see him, and he's good. Real good. Has the crowd on fire. But I hear him diss Malcolm. I got up and walked out. The NOI, as much as I respected them, was not fit to disrespect a man who died for Allah, in his pursuit of justice for the Black man of North AmeriKKKa.
Later Khalid would become so consumed with race that he's get himself kicked outta the NOI (imagine that) and eventually die of an anuerism (sp?). I personally felt his mind was so engrossed in Black vs. White he just keeled over.
Anyway, long story short, ok, the NOI was there for me in a major way in a way that the black church, and even African American Sunni Muslims were not able to.
But the Malcolm thing bothered me still.
Then, Betty Shabazz made peace with Farrakhan.
I never knew Malcolm. I was born AFTER he died.
In an interview with Barbara Walters he admitted that much of what he spoke at the time of Malcolm's death created and atmosphere that led to him being killed...He clearly was trying to atone...What he really knows is between him and Allah (SWT)...Still, it was the first time I saw him make any acknowledgments like that...
But Malcolm was like a second father to me between the ages of 19 and 25.
And Betty Shabazz was no sell out. She was his WIFE... If she could make peace with him, I had to let go of my grudge.
I can't quote any sources now, but I seem to remember him at the MMM or before it atoning for things he said against the Jews in past speeches and sid he wanted to reach out to rabbi's and create a more genuine peace with the Jewish people.
Since the MMM I don't remember seeing anything that he has said or done that can be seen as anti-semetic.
But then there is another problem. This one is theological.
I don't believe Elijah Muhammad was a Prophet or a Messenger. I Don't believe that Fard Muhammad was Allah in the flesh. I don't believe the White man is the devil (though I must admit I was unsure for a minute). If you wanna know how I could EVER consider it go read Ralph Ginzburgs 100 Years of Lynchings....I can give you a few books after that if you like....But I don't believe in the mad scientist Yacub and the grafting of White devils...I don't believe that the Black man is God....I don't believe in spaceships and mother crafts. ....Devils come in all colors...Some of them are in the Black community...Crack dealers, REAL pimps, murderers and car jackers...Thems is devils to...
I believe that there are enough accomplishments by real African Muslims (like the Moors of Al-Andalusia) and all across the West African region (for starters) that there is no need for Devil talk and spaceship myths. Timbuktu, is a great example of African Islamic wisdom...
I often wondered by the book "Message to the Black Man" was never printed in Arabic (at least to my knowledge).
After reading it, I understood. I have seen nothing in any Muslim Sunni text that remotely supports much of what is in that book as it related to Prophets...Espcially the extensive writing about Moses (going to Europe and sleeping in a circle of fire etc.)...
I have more theological issues but I don't wanna get too deep into that...Whatever they believe, they have the right to do it....Besides, if you weigh the number of White deaths at the hands of NOI members vs. BLACK deaths at the hand of WHITE CHRISTIANS in this country ALONE....the reality might shut down your brain if you could get an accurate number...As extreme as the theology can appear, very little violence can be attributed to the NOI....How they practice is between them and Allah (SWT)....The same goes for me...
So now he calls for another March...
I took that day off with my wife...Big shouts out to Monty (my old manager at food 4 less) for supporting me on that day....He was my manager, and even though some of the Whites at my job were belly aching (and a few buckdancin' uncle Tom Blacks to!!), he knew the event had good intentions and did not sweat giving me that day off...But I spent that day at home with my wife, and it was good...An amazing thing to behold.
I see the Black community in shambles...
I agree we need another March...
Truth is, no other Black leader could call it and get people there...
Then the ADL comes after Russell...
Now, real quick, I feel like the Jewish community in a large part has become very separated from the Black community since the civil rights era....I'm curious as to how that happened...
THEN, Russell fires back...
I think at the end of the day, if Farrakhan has said nothing that we can connect to Anti-Semitism since the firat MMM the Jews may want to let their demonization of him go...If he has, then we need to look at what was said and hold him accountable...
BUT, people can and do change. I have changed a lot....A LOT, and a lot of my changee, was rooted in forgiving....Forgiving others, forgiving myself, my friends...Holding onto to certain kinds of pain for too long can be bad...
As spiritual people, I like the think the Jews know this better than anyone else.
I don't support racial or spiritual hatered on any level- by anyone.
But I do think that people need to give people room to change, time to change.
I also think forgiveness is the key to the power of all religions...
It's the one thing God gives us, that we NEVER give one another...
When was the last time America was attacked, and TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? What was the FIRST TIME?!?! Was there ANYTIME we have seen this nation use it's Christian ethics on a major scale that did not involve killing other people?!?!?
At some point, someone has to let go and agree to start anew...With themselves and others...
I was not at all happy with the lack of follow up by the NOI and Black America as a whole after the last march...I never saw an itemized statement about who collected how much money and a breakdown of how that money was SPENT...
Nobody, not ONE organization, no "leader" can do what Farrakhan is doing...
I don't agree with him theologically...
But I must say that no one has done more for young Black men than he has in the last 20-30 years....
American Jews cant claim that, the Black Church cant claim that, African American Sunni's cant claim that, Immigrant Muslims can't claim that...
I think it's all time we allowed one another to make mistakes, but forgive....I'm speaking to myself as well as anyone else here...
Personally connecting with God's compassion is the only way authentic peace will ever be made between Muslims, Jews, and the Black community in general...
We're all here in North America...We all won't agree on all that we see one another say or do...But without REAL compassion....Nothing will change....
Too much time, too many ego's, TOO LITTLE HONESTY and too many scarrs on the soul have left us untrusting of one another...
Lets make it real...whatever we are doing lets make it real....Or, don't bother....I'm talking to Jews, Muslims, Black Folks, White Folks, Asians, Latino's and everybody in between....Lets make the peace and the compassion real, for once....
ALLAH U AKBAR!! GOD IS THE GREATEST!!!
Who is he? Depends on who you are. To some he is the Saviour of the Black man in AmeriKKKa (that's right,I used Cube's triple K- a lil pro-Black throwback).
To others, he is the unconvinced co-conspirator in the murder of Malcolm X aka Al-Hajj Malik Al-Shbazz. To others, he is a hater of White people and Jews. To others, he's a great violin player. To others, he's just crazy.
But no matter what you think of him, you can't think about America and race issues and not have this eloquent, intelligent, passionate man come to mind.
I learned of Farrakhan after listening to PE. I had seen him before and heard him before, but I did not put the voice with the face and make his connection to the NOI until "Nation of Millons".
In 1988 I was young, Black and gifted. I was also 18, and Black men were dying around me in droves. Racial tension was VERY high coast to coast.... Cops were killing brothers and beating them like it was in part of the job description ("serve protect and break a N!##@ neck"). This was the ear of NWA, PE, Do the Right Thing, Bernhard Getz, Yusuf Hawkins and all kinds of personal racial drama...
I felt very alone in terms of being understood- culturally and emotionally speaking. But the NOI and Louis Farrakahn spoke to me...They spoke volumes...I recently found an old tape I made in 1990 of my favorite Farrakhan clips....It's 45 minute long and came from about 10 different talks...He is probably one of the greatest Black speakers EVER....do you remember him on Donahue when he was on 2 days in a row?!?! I still have that on tape....AMAZING...You cannot fake that kind of courage and wisdom...He was spontaneously demolishing people with truth...He had the best mentor to help him be that way to, so, it's not a surprise.
I had friends joining the NOI all the time. Some of the best behaved, most polite, most sincere, most well spoken, well dressed and most respectful and courageous men I have ever known were in the NOI.
I saw them protecting Hip Hop shows. Making sure Black women were respected on the streets and calling things as they saw them. I personally know men who were crack dealers and REAL THUGS who changed their entire lives and became upstanding citizens because of the NOI. SEEN IT WITH MY OWN EYES...The teachings of Elijah Muhammad DID that. I can't deny it.
But I had one problem. I have always believed that the NOI killed Malcolm X. I have always believed that Louis Farrakhan had a hand in that murder.
Nevertheless, I went to go see Khalid Muhammad at the age of 19 at San Francisco State. You might remember him from being on PE's "Night of the Living Baseheads" as well as on Ice Cubes best album ever- "Death Certificate".
So, I go to see him, and he's good. Real good. Has the crowd on fire. But I hear him diss Malcolm. I got up and walked out. The NOI, as much as I respected them, was not fit to disrespect a man who died for Allah, in his pursuit of justice for the Black man of North AmeriKKKa.
Later Khalid would become so consumed with race that he's get himself kicked outta the NOI (imagine that) and eventually die of an anuerism (sp?). I personally felt his mind was so engrossed in Black vs. White he just keeled over.
Anyway, long story short, ok, the NOI was there for me in a major way in a way that the black church, and even African American Sunni Muslims were not able to.
But the Malcolm thing bothered me still.
Then, Betty Shabazz made peace with Farrakhan.
I never knew Malcolm. I was born AFTER he died.
In an interview with Barbara Walters he admitted that much of what he spoke at the time of Malcolm's death created and atmosphere that led to him being killed...He clearly was trying to atone...What he really knows is between him and Allah (SWT)...Still, it was the first time I saw him make any acknowledgments like that...
But Malcolm was like a second father to me between the ages of 19 and 25.
And Betty Shabazz was no sell out. She was his WIFE... If she could make peace with him, I had to let go of my grudge.
I can't quote any sources now, but I seem to remember him at the MMM or before it atoning for things he said against the Jews in past speeches and sid he wanted to reach out to rabbi's and create a more genuine peace with the Jewish people.
Since the MMM I don't remember seeing anything that he has said or done that can be seen as anti-semetic.
But then there is another problem. This one is theological.
I don't believe Elijah Muhammad was a Prophet or a Messenger. I Don't believe that Fard Muhammad was Allah in the flesh. I don't believe the White man is the devil (though I must admit I was unsure for a minute). If you wanna know how I could EVER consider it go read Ralph Ginzburgs 100 Years of Lynchings....I can give you a few books after that if you like....But I don't believe in the mad scientist Yacub and the grafting of White devils...I don't believe that the Black man is God....I don't believe in spaceships and mother crafts. ....Devils come in all colors...Some of them are in the Black community...Crack dealers, REAL pimps, murderers and car jackers...Thems is devils to...
I believe that there are enough accomplishments by real African Muslims (like the Moors of Al-Andalusia) and all across the West African region (for starters) that there is no need for Devil talk and spaceship myths. Timbuktu, is a great example of African Islamic wisdom...
I often wondered by the book "Message to the Black Man" was never printed in Arabic (at least to my knowledge).
After reading it, I understood. I have seen nothing in any Muslim Sunni text that remotely supports much of what is in that book as it related to Prophets...Espcially the extensive writing about Moses (going to Europe and sleeping in a circle of fire etc.)...
I have more theological issues but I don't wanna get too deep into that...Whatever they believe, they have the right to do it....Besides, if you weigh the number of White deaths at the hands of NOI members vs. BLACK deaths at the hand of WHITE CHRISTIANS in this country ALONE....the reality might shut down your brain if you could get an accurate number...As extreme as the theology can appear, very little violence can be attributed to the NOI....How they practice is between them and Allah (SWT)....The same goes for me...
So now he calls for another March...
I took that day off with my wife...Big shouts out to Monty (my old manager at food 4 less) for supporting me on that day....He was my manager, and even though some of the Whites at my job were belly aching (and a few buckdancin' uncle Tom Blacks to!!), he knew the event had good intentions and did not sweat giving me that day off...But I spent that day at home with my wife, and it was good...An amazing thing to behold.
I see the Black community in shambles...
I agree we need another March...
Truth is, no other Black leader could call it and get people there...
Then the ADL comes after Russell...
Now, real quick, I feel like the Jewish community in a large part has become very separated from the Black community since the civil rights era....I'm curious as to how that happened...
THEN, Russell fires back...
I think at the end of the day, if Farrakhan has said nothing that we can connect to Anti-Semitism since the firat MMM the Jews may want to let their demonization of him go...If he has, then we need to look at what was said and hold him accountable...
BUT, people can and do change. I have changed a lot....A LOT, and a lot of my changee, was rooted in forgiving....Forgiving others, forgiving myself, my friends...Holding onto to certain kinds of pain for too long can be bad...
As spiritual people, I like the think the Jews know this better than anyone else.
I don't support racial or spiritual hatered on any level- by anyone.
But I do think that people need to give people room to change, time to change.
I also think forgiveness is the key to the power of all religions...
It's the one thing God gives us, that we NEVER give one another...
When was the last time America was attacked, and TURNED THE OTHER CHEEK? What was the FIRST TIME?!?! Was there ANYTIME we have seen this nation use it's Christian ethics on a major scale that did not involve killing other people?!?!?
At some point, someone has to let go and agree to start anew...With themselves and others...
I was not at all happy with the lack of follow up by the NOI and Black America as a whole after the last march...I never saw an itemized statement about who collected how much money and a breakdown of how that money was SPENT...
Nobody, not ONE organization, no "leader" can do what Farrakhan is doing...
I don't agree with him theologically...
But I must say that no one has done more for young Black men than he has in the last 20-30 years....
American Jews cant claim that, the Black Church cant claim that, African American Sunni's cant claim that, Immigrant Muslims can't claim that...
I think it's all time we allowed one another to make mistakes, but forgive....I'm speaking to myself as well as anyone else here...
Personally connecting with God's compassion is the only way authentic peace will ever be made between Muslims, Jews, and the Black community in general...
We're all here in North America...We all won't agree on all that we see one another say or do...But without REAL compassion....Nothing will change....
Too much time, too many ego's, TOO LITTLE HONESTY and too many scarrs on the soul have left us untrusting of one another...
Lets make it real...whatever we are doing lets make it real....Or, don't bother....I'm talking to Jews, Muslims, Black Folks, White Folks, Asians, Latino's and everybody in between....Lets make the peace and the compassion real, for once....
ALLAH U AKBAR!! GOD IS THE GREATEST!!!
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