Farrakhan's Religion of Hatred
It was on Nov, 29 when Khalid Abdul Mohammed, a senior official with the Nation of Islam, gave a speech to students at Kean College in Union, N.J. Ever since that day, relationships haven't been the same between many blacks and Jews. The thrust of the now infamous speech was a tirade not only against Jews, but also against Catholics and gays. Khalid Abdul Mohammed called Jews "hook-nosed, bagel-eating, lox-eating impostors." He attacked Catholics, "The old no-good, Pope-somebody needs to raise that dress up and see what's really under there, etc."
Recently, the Minister of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan, was pressured to condemn the speech. He said, "While I stand by the truth that he spoke, I must condemn in the strongest terms the manner in which those truths were represented." His statement probably did more harm than good. Farrakhan then suspended Mohammed from his important posts with the Nation of Islam "until he demonstrates that he is willing to conform to the manner of representing Allah and the honorable Elijah Mohammed, the founder of the black religion." I, for one, don't know what Farrakhan is saying, what truth is he talking about?!
Imagine a fire burning and firemen running to grab anything liquid to pour on the flames. However, being careless, they pour gasoline instead of water on it, thus ensuring a violent fire. This is unfortunately what happened. Since Farrakhan didn't condemn the speech - only the delivery of it - he added gas to the fire, increasing more fire than ever.
A few months ago Rep. Kweisi Mfume, a Maryland Democrat who is chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus and Rev. Benjamin Chavis, executive director of the NAACP announced efforts to make a working relationship with the Nation of Islam. However, due to the hatred spewed by Mohammed and Farrakhan's refusal to denounce Mohammed's statement, this alliance has been terminated. This may be perceived as a setback for the Afro-American community. Many black leaders have also condemned Mohammed's statements. Among them is Jesse Jackson who called Mohammed's words, "divisive and painful and anti-Semitic statements." Also criticizing Mohammed's speech were Rev. Chavis, Mfume, and William H. Gray, president of the United Negro College Fund. Many Jewish groups have joined to condemn Farrakhan and Mohammed.
The very idea of a Jewish organization criticizing the Nation of Islam's leadership has caused Farrakhan to complain that it's the Jews who are making all the trouble. He went so far as to accuse Vice President Al Gore as joining forces with the Jews to destroy the Muslim sect.
What's astounding to me is the very fact that this has digressed to become a Jewish/Black issue. This is very wrong. This is really a religious issue that should be addressed as well by Catholics and all G‑d-loving people.
The Jewish population represents a mere 2-3 percent of the religious population. Protest should be made by the major injured religious party, Catholics. Why hasn't the ecumenical leadership taken an active role in strongly condemning and demanding an apology? Where are the leaders of the major churches? Where is the religious community? Why has this become a "Jewish problem," allowing Farrakhan to camouflage the facts, that he and his spokespeople don't respect any religion besides their own.
One of the most insane arguments heard from Farrakhan is the allegation relating to slavery. His libel stating that 75 percent of slaves in the South before the civil war, were owned by Jews. This is utter nonsense! When pressed to qualify this outrageous lie he quotes his own book published by the Nation of Islam. How vain can one get.
Jewish teachings has always been opposed to slavery. For example, if one looks for a list of leading abolitionists, you will find the names of very prominent Jews. David Einhorn from Baltimore, Sabato Morais of Mikveh Israel from Philadelphia, Bernard Felsenthal from Chicago and Samuel M. Isaac of NY.
There's no excuse for Farrakhan's remarks. He was born Louis Eugene Walcott in New York. He was an honor student, track star, classical violin player, and calypso singer. He was no dead-beat child. He knows the truth. We may have differences regarding religious beliefs. However, that doesn't give anybody a license to slander and name call.
I have a friend who works for the city of New York. He is a rabbi and an army chaplain. He is also a neighbor of the late slain Malcolm X's wife. He related to me the following. Malcolm X's wife told him many times that there is nothing wrong if Jews and Blacks don't think alike. "After all," she said, "we have different beliefs." What she told the rabbi was, in essence, the difference doesn't have to be bridged and we should live and let live. Louis Farrakhan, the man who called Judaism a "gutter religion," is at it again. Now, more then ever, his actions are getting more controversial. Where will he and the nation of Islam stop? By speaking against the leadership of the western world's largest religion, Catholicism, he is taking a big step in the wrong direction.
As Americans, we are free to believe and practice our religion in the safety of our homes and places of prayer. Our country grants the freedom of religion to all equally. Remember, our strength is in the very fact that we are a great melting pot, making places for others with tolerance and respect.
I would hate to see our great and beautiful country continue to be turned into a pressure cooker.