Sunday, October 28, 2007

Black Males Endangered Species, Farrakhan says.

By: Ernie Suggs (esuggs@ajc.com)

In a speech that touched on global warming, environmentalism and Georgia's drought, Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan drew parallels that as the earth withers, so too do black men, who have little to show for 452 years of bondage.

"Politics and the racial environment is threatening the human family," Farrakhan said. "But black males, in particular, are endangered. Our attitudes, our ignorance, our savagery are all lending to a plan - a conspiracy to make the black man not endangered, but extinct."

Marking the 12th Anniversary of the Million Man March, Farrakhan spoke Tuesday at a packed Boisfeuillet-Jones Atlanta Civic Center for the 12th Annual Holy Day of Atonement.

Ishmael Muhammad, the Nation's National Assistant Minister, said, "We accepted 12 years ago, the responsibility to be better men, better fathers and better husbands. It was a day never before experienced in our history."

Farrakhan spoke for more than two hours in a speech that touched on religion, hip-hop, politics and the perception that some successful blacks are being propped up by white people and refusing to reach back and help poor blacks for fear of losing their status.

"If you let the big car, the ranch-style home and the big salary keep you away from a movement and the freedom of your people, the Quran says that those who live easy lives have to be careful, because a life of ease sometimes make you forget struggle," Farrakhan said.

Speaking about rapper T.I., who was arrested in Atlanta and is facing Federal gun charges, Farrakhan said the charges are less about what he is charged with and more about the fact his music is influencing white kids.

He went on to talk about suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. "I know our brother broke the law. God himself is displeased, because he has given us dominion over his creatures and he doesn't want us to abuse them for sport," said Farrakhan, before coming to a near whisper. "But they didn't have to come down on the brother like that. He is young, black and super rich. And all of those white children were wearing his jersey. White people were losing control of their children to black sports and entertainment figures and they can't take it."

Farrakhan, 74, looked robust and healthy, bouncing around the stage like a man half his age. But there are questions about how long he will remain at the helm of the Nation, as he has since 1978. Farrakhan, who has battled prostrate cancer for years, had major surgery this year.

The Rev. Joseph Lowery, 86, who also has battled cancer, called Farrakhan - 12 years his junior - a young man, and reflected how he as a Methodist preacher has Prayed for the recovery of an "Islamic Minister." "I come with a spirit of rejoicing that our brother Louis Farrakhan is with us and God has sent him," Lowery said. "This is a great day for unity. What could come if we ever realized the strength in unity?"

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