The Final Call

Elevated Places focuses on Economic Blueprint

By FinalCall.com News | Last updated: Mar 21, 2014 - 4:00:04 PM

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(L-R) Panelists, Dr. Ridgely A. Muhammad, Malik Yakini, Dr. Ava Muhammad, Terence Muhammad, Nuri Muhammad, and Robert Muhammad. Photos: Andrea Muhammad

DETROIT (FinalCall.com) - Food security, starting and supporting Black businesses and having the courage to separate from American society to establish an independent reality were discussed during the Saviours’ Day 2014 edition of Dr. Ava Muhammad’s popular weekly talk show which kicked off this year’s convention.

The national spokesperson for the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan has a weekly talk show “Elevated Places” Thursdays on the Blogtalk radio network and Sundays on WVON 1690AM in Chicago.

Videos showing ideas and examples of futuristic, green and sustainable communities were shown to those in the live audience.

Activists, clergy, and scholars gathered in Wayne Hall of the Cobo Center Feb. 20 to discuss “The Economic Blueprint and Our Survival.” The Final Call’s Ashahed M. Muhammad moderated the discussion.

White people did not and will not simply have a change of heart and decide to free Black people from mental, political and economic slavery. Free Black labor built America and made the country rich, Dr. Muhammad  noted.

“We must seize control of our own future,” Dr. Muhammad continued. “And that is done through acquiring land and the right type of education.”

Robert Muhammad, a Ph.D. candidate in urban planning and environmental policy and southwest regional representative of the Nation of Islam, said, “If we don’t unite, we will die.”

Activist and educator Malik Yakini leads the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network and fights for community access to healthy food. He talked about the power and danger of agricultural giant Monsanto, genetically modified foods, and stressed Blacks must create sustainable communities, grow their own food and feed themselves. “Those who feed you control you,” said Mr. Yakini.

Ashahed M. Muhammad, moderator

Nuri Muhammad, the Nation of Islam representative in Indianapolis, said Black communities could return to farming by making farming more attractive in updating the bland look of farm equipment, with “blinged out” tractors. The crowd laughed realizing he was speaking in jest. However, his point was if the value of farming was expressed in more modern terms, perhaps a change would be made because many Blacks have negative thoughts associated with  farming an all that goes with it.

Other panelists included Dr. Ridgely Muhammad, who operates the Nation’s 1,600 acre farm in Bronwood Ga., and Terence Muhammad, a North Carolina-based activist who often appears on Dr. Ava’s weekly blogtalk show.