
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan predicted that there would be trouble ahead for President Barack Obama. He also urged the president to do more to improve the lives of African Americans and the downtrodden of our nation.
Farrakhan argued that the "white right" is conspiring to make Obama a one-term president. He referenced the efforts to kill health care reform as proof of their plans. He also felt that the president was being trapped in to a war with Iran.
Other interesting comments from Farrakhan's nearly four-hour long speech included reference to his being a prophet:
"The word prophet is too cheap a word. I am a light in the midst of darkness," Farrakhan stated at the Nation's annual convention. "It ain't ego, it's my love for you."
Farrakhan argued that many of the recent natural disasters, such as earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, are warnings to President Obama:
"Your people are suffering. You can't ease their plight, but you can use your bully pulpit. Speak for the poor. Speak for the weak."
Farrakhan also made the point that the Nation of Islam has been able to successfully reform prison inmates for decades and that President Obama should allow his organization to receive additional government funding:
"Put some money on back of us," he said. "We can reform our people."
The minister continued to address Obama and his support for him. Obama has distanced himself from Farrakhan since his run for president in 2008. Some have wondered if Obama has met with Farrakhan and how the meeting played a role in Obama's agenda, but Farrakhan isn't speaking on the issue either way:
"They all want to know did I ever meet with him and what did I say or what did he say," Farrakhan said in the speech. "I ain't going there."
The Minister Louis Farrakhan is one of the most liberated men in America. He is one of the few black public figures who is free to say what he wants, when he wants, without worrying about what others are going to think. He is marginalized, but there is freedom in marginalization, which tends to breed a greater commitment to independence. By creating an independent nation within a nation, Farrakhan has achieved the economic liberation necessary to speak of what he perceives to be the truth.
Farrakhan is also one of the most brilliant leaders in America, and the only black man on earth who can give a four-hour speech and have the audience hanging on his every word. Most of those who feel that Farrakhan is silly or ignorant are judging him on soundbites and nothing more. Although many African Americans are not able to connect with every aspect of Farrakhan's complex message, he is held with a degree of reverence that is matched by no other.
Farrakhan's complex relationship with President Obama is intriguing. With both men being products of Chicago and having connections with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, the nation is left wondering just how much influence Farrakhan might have had on the president. With Farrakhan's image as one of the most radical black men in America, any affiliation whatsoever would lead to a firestorm. The fact that Farrakhan has maintained support for Obama from a distance is a reflection of his political intelligence. He was actually one of a small number of black public figures who didn't have much to say about Obama's historic run to the White House.
Say what you want about Louis Farrakhan, but his interesting and prolific rise to power has solidified his place in black history.
Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce's commentary delivered to your e-mail, please click here. 

Comments: (109)
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By: John Lindsay on 3/01/2010 4:00PM
Marsha: What is bothering me is the rather condescending tone that you seem to have when it comes to speaking to "us". Many of us "poor ordinary black folk" may not have PHD behind our name, but we are able to think!!............
there is another black man that I would like to mention. Bishop TD Jakes..............
JL: Absolutely ridiculous....and dead wrong.
Dr. Watkins did not write that "Farrakhan was the ONLY........."
He wrote the following:
"The Minister Louis Farrakhan is, in my opinion, one of the most liberated men in America. He is one of the few black public figures..."
"One of the most liberated" AND "one of the few."
Hence, where did Marsha read that Dr. Boyce wrote "Farrakhan was the ONLY...?!"
Good gracious!!!!
Learn to read!!!
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By: Marsha on 3/01/2010 4:42PM
Excuse me Mr. Lindsay,
I believe Dr. Boyce did say "The only black man on earth who can give a four hour speech and have the audience hanging on his every word." It is possible to overlook something and still be literate. Thanks though!!
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By: Bill Schrier on 3/01/2010 5:22PM
The fact that "Dr." Watkins praises Farrakhan so profusely just supplies total proof that this website is a haven for BLACK RACISTS. Farrakhan is without a doubt a virulent black racist. This is widely held to be true, even among the liberal media. This website is at least as racist as Stormfront is on the other end.
WHAT A DOUBLE STANDARD
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By: Bill Schrier on 3/01/2010 5:27PM
Maybe Farrakhan can help Obama with his alcoholism:
Obama Doctors Recommend "Moderation of Alcohol Intake"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/mar/01/barack-obama-told-to-quit-smoking
Of course, his alcoholism is nothing compared to his admitted drug use (cocaine and marijuana, among others). Since he didn't have a job when he was admittedly abusing drugs, it's difficult to see how Obama afforded his addictions without being a dealer of illegal drugs, as well.
This is the "president" blacks are SO proud of.
But then, that's not unusual. Blacks also hold MLK in reverence, as some kind of saint, when he was in fact a thief, stealing funds from the SCLC to support his prostitute habit.
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By: blackbear72 on 3/01/2010 5:27PM
Vickiss, if you believe that "the US shouldn't even be a country in the first place. We're all living on stolen land, built by the free labor of stolen people. These are facts." Then why would you live in a stolen land, isnt it wrong of you to live here? History is full of people taking other peoples land, it has happened since the beginning of time. It is too late now, there is no going back, so just accept it.
Cece, no one said this is the US of whites, it is a country of Americans of every color and race, but whites consider themselves Americans and other races consider themselves hyphenated Americans.
djkut, you cant say go back to whites, because we never called the US amerikkk, God dam America, don't have a separate nation (nation of Islim) nor do we have pride for other country's, we love America, same cant be said for other races.
Africa, I agree with you when we all consider ourselves American and not blacks or whites, than and only then will this country be back to being as great as it once was.
CeeAaquil, the point is if black people feel they were stolen and the US is a racist country, then why would you want to live here? The country will never be given back to the Indians, the history of slavery can not be changed if you cant handle these things it might be better for you to go to another country. You stay because there is no better country.
The only people who hate the US, but still live here are blacks and Muslims, that is the truth! If you hate the US go someone where else. If you love this country, then stay and call yourself an AMERICAN!
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By: djkut on 3/01/2010 6:35PM
I never said go back to whites Black Bear72 stop coming in here Huffin and Puffin... Stop using your twisted ways to make your silly point in which what u said to all of us us does not make any sense ????
See you scream out if we do not like it go here or go there the real question and answer is this country was built of slavery period so....
My question to you is why can not whites go back to Europe why stay here ??? Why can they not pack up and leave like any other races of people ??? since u said they have a problem with Blacks and Muslims then get your Hat and coat and luggage and head back to where u were originated from ..???
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By: Bill Schrier on 3/01/2010 5:32PM
@blackbear
You must see by now that most blacks hate America and all it stands for. They want to rip down the America you and I grew up in, and replace it with a socialist, black-run Utopia. That's their dream.
Sound absurd? Well, Obama is without a socialist, and without a doubt the blacks on this board go so far as to advocate reparations from whites as well as genocide of remaining whites. Over and over, they make the comment that they can't wait until whites die out from their lower birthrate.
This board is full of virulent black racists, including the author of the present article.
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By: djkut on 3/01/2010 6:43PM
Humm that funny u say that about Blacks Bill but History say something different and that something u can not dispute ...
The nation's race problem, a structural economic inequality between the races, is directly traceable back to and across four centuries of slavery and Jim Crow apartheid (semi-slavery).Slavery and Jim Crow established and maintained imbalances between the races. Under these social and economic systems, nearly 100 percent of this nation's wealth and power resources, and controls of all levels of government, were mar-distributed into the hands of dominant white society. The advantages, preferences and wealth assets, in the form of stocks, bonds, shares, businesses, land, insurance benefits and trust accounts, are passed from one generation to the next through inheritance laws. Though whites today continue to enjoy the advantages of centuries of govemment-supported preferences for Whites, most live in a state of denial about how their group's wealth and power were acquired.
U are BlackBear77 can not deny it let's debate it .. Tell me the true and real definition of Racism ???? I will be waiting on that answer from u guys
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By: Bill Schrier on 3/01/2010 8:14PM
Wishing the elimination of an entire race, as many blacks on this board have wished of whites, is RACIST. I have never wished the entire black race gone. I appreciate the contributions of blacks to American culture, when it's positive, as it has been in many areas of entertainment and sports. Farrakhan has made many many anti-semitic and ridiculous anti-white statements. This is a matter of public record, and is beyond dispute. For Watkins to praise him shows that Watkins and by extension this website are a home for black RACISM.
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By: djkut on 3/01/2010 10:54PM
Bill I ask u the definition of racism not your view. Hell I want all my bills to be gone and eliminated but that is not racist nor it does not give enough information to know if blacks who said they want all whites gone are racist we can not be racist it impossible we can be bigots, prejudice, and even asshole to other races but again I ask u what is the real meaning of racism and u have yet to give me the definition and I am glad u appreciate Black accomplishiments but I need the definition of racism ????
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