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Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan has written to the leaders of several major U.S. Jewish institutions asking that they work to repair the damage he says they have done to black people for centuries.
The request is a return to Farrakhan's past public condemnations of Jewish people for what he has calls long-standing crimes against black people.
But by writing to leading Jewish groups, such as the Anti-Defamation League, which released copies of the letter to the news media, Farrakhan has turned up the volume in his decades-long crusade to confront Jewish leaders.
My question is exactly is Farrakhan hoping to accomplish with this latest move? He can't expect to win reparations for what he believes are legitimate grievances against Jewish people.
Farrakhan also can't be looking to open any meaningful dialogue with Jewish leaders, who dismissed him as a raving anti-Semite a long time ago.
Perhaps Farrakhan, 77, who has been out of the mainstream media spotlight for years, simply felt the itch to galvanize his supporters and again confront a truth he believes has gone untold for too long.
Farrakhan has long ago cemented his place in our history as an intelligent, complex, fascinating and divisive leader of black people. His uncompromising messages of self-help and self-reliance are exactly the tonic for what ills black America. He is also right to point out that white racism has laid the groundwork for much of our suffering.
But every time he singles out and targets the Jewish community for his wrath, it leaves me screaming "WHY?"
Even if you accept every word of Farrakhan's version of how Jewish people have treated blacks, have no other people of the world treated blacks poorly? And don't we as black people bear some responsibility for our condition today?
Please excuse me if I choose to tune out. Anyone who has observed American race relations to any degree in the past years has seen this show before.
Farrakhan makes a statement attacking Jewish treatment of blacks; Jewish leaders angrily react and denounce Farrakhan as anti-Semitic. Then, after a brief stare-down, both sides return to their corners until the next outbreak of hostilities.
Nothing accomplished; nothing gained.
Comments: (116)
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By: Lon on 7/16/2010 1:31PM
I have never heard someone preach such hate and divisiveness.
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By: LPStarChaser on 7/20/2010 11:06PM
Most of the hatred and offenses against "blacks" came from the pulpit, not the bima. It was the Christian faith that closed its doors and organized its societies to intimidate and denigrate the African and Caribbean people. I am not saying there were not racist Jews, but so many Jewish-based organizations helped the predecessors of Imam Farrakhan get to the place in society where they can spout their spleen as he does.
The remotely observant Jew remembers the acts of others and the tyranny reigned upon them over the course of history and relate it to the acts perpetrated on blacks just because of their appearance. Only those who forgot the Byzantine Empire, the Inquisition, the Holocaust, the Russian Pogroms, and the synagogue burnings would cast aside the mirror on which to view their actions. (Israeli government has forgotten, and pays to this day for their lack of memory.)
If Imam Farrakhan wants to do good, instead of doing mouth, he should offer himself to the State Department to visit Israel as a negotiator between the Gaza'ans, the Trans-Jordanians of the West Bank and the Israeli Governing Councils. Even if he fails, he can say that he did something in the way of peace. Not incite more tensions here at home. He only undermines his own cause.
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By: AR on 7/21/2010 12:15AM
To the author of the article: I find your input rare and intelligent. It is beyond a point in which History should have taught us that there will always be a group that falls victim to the scapegoat. In no less of a manner have the Jewish people been this group to others as have the blacks in modern day America. Whether the group is chosen for ethnic differences being race, religion or culture, the only thing I see is an ignorant fool behind a pointed finger. No matter the intellect of or relevant information once provided by this man, I can not ever bring my self to respect or tune into someone who is doing nothing more to other communities than what he is claiming others do to his community. On a side note have the "Jews" not been blamed enough, during the crusades, during BC time by the Egyptians, current times within the middle east and let us not forget how quick Hitler was to blame them for Germany's financial troubles (which as I hope all know led to slaughter and execution of 6 Million Jews and Millions of other lives during the war). It is easy for Farrakhan to "blame the Jews" as it is easy to for a majority to pick on a minority community. I would think a man of a community with similar suffering would understand how the finger game does not work in anyone's favor and am disappointed to find another rant of his gone awry versus using his education and influence to actually help and do good.
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By: adixjr on 10/03/2010 3:15PM
good points but only the tip of the iceberg. God raises one race of people and sit another down according to their obedience to him. righteousness exalts a nation. there are so many principalities and powers in operation to the point it will blow the average person's mind. many don't know all of this is a web by satanic forces to divide and conquer mankind. the only way to true freedom is to join the warfare by dedicating your life to Jesus Christ. your passion will then be the souls of men but while you're on the face of the earth God will bountifully bless you.
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By: nik on 3/03/2011 4:22PM
Mr. Shepherd, I would offer to you to read the books Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews Vol. I and II first before offering up an opinion in a public forum. You seem to be an educated man but yet ignorant to Your history at the same time. Throughout my public school education, and I'm sure you can bear witness also, I was taught about the Holocaust. Most of us are. However, what we were not taught was The Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. I learned this from my Mother, Grandmother, Grandfather, Uncles and Aunts. Jewish children are taught their history at home and it is incorporated into the curriculum of all our public and many private schools, therefore EVERYONE in America is forced to learn about the horrible things that happened to Jews. What they fail to incorporate is how they were able to overcome and prosper. Why then are WE/YOU so quiet and amenable to speaking about the horrors of slavery, the effects? Why is it that we are complacent with what they choose to teach US/OUR CHILDREN in the schools (MLK, Harriett Tubman). But when Minister Farrakhan comes and gives the FULL 100% truth of what happened, who benefited and outline the root cause of our conditions, he's vilified and chastised? Nothing gained? My brother, again I ask that you go back to school and learn your history. Your attitude is part of the underlying problem with our youth and our people. Let by gones be by gones - yeah right. The Jews won't tolerate you telling them to forget about the holocaust and move on. Tell your children's school
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By: nik on 3/03/2011 4:29PM
district to let it go and that there is no sense in teaching your children about the Holocaust. I'll guarantee you'll be then labeled an anti-Semite.
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