Farrakhan – “The White Right”

I think Farrakhan missed the point on this one – the “White Right” is a problem for all America. Racism is only a part of the pathology. The “White Right” would rather see this country suffer mass failures in jobs, the economy, and wars than suffer the presence of a Democratic President, especially one buttressed by Democratic leadership. The situation is, and has been for a while, beyond the normal bounds of political disagreement and loyal opposition…

And skirts the far edge of treason.

Farrakhan and his Nation of Islam are another of those speed bumps in the fiction of a Post Racial America. They also present a complex landscape for the Obama Administration in that should the NOI be treated as white, racist religious groups were under the Bushit’s “faith based initiative” – you would be able to hear the howls and screams of fake, right-wing manufactured outrage from here to the moon…

Providing a financial bonanza to the black conservative “Tom Squad”, among other things.

Make no doubt about it, the NOI liturgy, born out of the era of Jim Crow repression – is inherently racist when considered in today’s context. HOWEVER – NOI social and self help programs have proven to be effective in the community, and as such cannot be dismissed as a resource to assist inner city populations.

Farrakhan is 76 years old and suffers from a number of health problems. The question is, when Farrakhan departs – what direction the new leadership will take.

Farrakhan predicts ‘white right’ trouble for Obama

Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, center, speaking at Muhammad Mosque #14 in Hartford, Conn., Friday, Aug. 8, 1997.

Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan, boasting his divine stature, on Sunday predicted trouble ahead for President Barack Obama and urged him to do more to improve the lives of blacks and the downtrodden.

The 76-year-old leader said the “white right” was conspiring to make Obama a one-term president, and pointed to his stalled efforts to introduce health care legislation as proof. He said those opponents and lobbyists were trapping him into a future war with Iran that could lead to mass destruction.

“The word ‘prophet’ is too cheap a word. I am a light in the midst of darkness,” Farrakhan said at the annual convention of the movement that embraces black nationalism. “It ain’t ego, it’s my love for you.”

An estimated 20,000 people attended the heavily guarded Saviours’ Day event at the United Center in Chicago. Followers — men dressed in navy uniforms and women in white skirt suits with matching hijabs — cheered on Farrakhan with shouts of “Allahu Akbar,” Arabic for “God is great.”

Farrakhan spent most of the fiery nearly four-hour speech recounting a 1985 vision he had in Mexico. Farrakhan has often described how he believes he was invited aboard an unidentified flying object he calls “the wheel” where he said he heard the late Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad speak to him.

He said that experience led him to inklings about future events, including the United States’ 1986 bombing of Libya.

Farrakhan recounted how his divine knowledge has allowed him to recognize countless warning signs over the decades — such as natural disasters such as the earthquake in Chile — and said they indicate impending trouble, including for Obama.

Dressed in ornate creme robes, he addressed the president directly:

“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.”

He said helping the Nation of Islam, which has worked to reform black inmates for decades, would also be an answer.

“Put some money on back of us,” he said. “We can reform our people.”

Farrakhan has vigorously supported Obama for years and used his presidency as a call to action for blacks. That was even as Obama distanced himself from the group for Farrakhan’s past comments that many considered anti-Semitic.

Supporters say Farrakhan’s words are often taken out of context.

Farrakhan continued his praise of Obama Sunday, and said the nation’s first black president was manipulated into disavowing Farrakhan.