by Rosalind D. Muhammad
Staff Writer

WASHINGTON (Capitol Hill)�Before a predominately Black but culturally and racially diverse crowd of hundreds of thousands gathered at the nation�s Capitol on Oct. 16, Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan stood as a full vessel waiting to be emptied.

Using no written notes, Min. Farrakhan allowed God to "have His way" and guide his words so that he could inspire and uplift the many races, creeds, classes, and colors present.

"We may have come in as many but I pray that God will allow us to go out as one," Min. Farrakhan said.

Thus set the tone of the Million Family March convened by Min. Farrakhan and the follow-up to the prophetic Million Man March in 1995 that now ranks as the largest demonstration in U.S. history.

Appearing relaxed and speaking in a clear, measured voice pregnant with wisdom, Min. Farrakhan delivered his keynote address from behind a large podium adorned with the Million Family March logo and topped with bulletproof glass.

He denounced the impediments that keep humanity divided, even as many strive to unify with the best of intentions. The major impediments are the diseases of racism and white supremacy, Min. Farrakhan said.

"The disease of white supremacy and Black inferiority is what has poisoned the bloodstream of religion so that even when we try to be brothers in Islam there is a poison that ill-effects brotherhood," he said. "When we try to be brothers in Christianity, there�s a poison that limits the brotherhood that we produce even though we claim Jesus Christ. In Judaism, there�s a poison that separates the Black Jew from the Semitic Jew from the Ashkenazi (European) Jew. Poison exists in democracy. Poison exists in capitalism. Poison exists in communism, in socialism. It is this poison that has to be identified, and it has to be uprooted in the human family in order for us to relate to each other as Almighty God wanted us to relate to each other."

He further explained that these doctrines stunt white and Black, brown, red and yellow from fully growing into their humanity and divinity.

"I respectfully say to you my brothers and sisters and members of the potential human family that a poison exists and it starts with the thought that I am better than you because I�m Black, or I am better than you because I�m white. Or I am better than you because I�m rich. Or I am better than you because I am more highly educated. Or I am better than you because I have something that you don�t have. These are false yardsticks used by human beings to justify their ill-treatment to one another."

With the U.S. Capitol building looming as a backdrop and the American flag at half-staff in honor of the 17 sailors killed in a surprise bomb attack in Yemen aboard the destroyer USS Cole, Min. Farrakhan added that what makes one human being better than another is not race, color or creed.

Duty to God and righteous conduct is what makes a human being "better," the Minister said.

He told the diverse crowd of men, women and children that comprised Black Americans, Native Americans, Latinos, Asians, Caucasians, expatriates, immigrants, visitors from Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Europe, Korea, Mexico, and the Middle East, that Allah (God) created humanity into tribes and families that they may know each other.

Yet humanity knows only the worst of each other because none has yet seen man and woman as God created them to be, the leader of the Nation of Islam said.

"We are a caricature of what God intended," Min. Farrakhan continued, his image and voice simultaneously broadcast over 27-by-40 Jumbotron television screens that lined the 22 blocks of grass between the U.S. Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. "We have allowed what has made us different to become a badge of honor, or a badge of shame," he noted.

At one point, Min. Farrakhan asked that a nearby decorative bouquet of flowers be handed to him. He raised the bouquet in his left hand.

There are many varieties and colors of flowers on earth, he said, and each grows out of a common earth, needing a common water and a common atmosphere.

"Who would be stupid enough to say the rose is better than the orchid?" he asked. "You just don�t talk like that. Nature won�t let you say the rose is better than the orchid. The rose might be your preference, but who says its better."

The doctrine of racism and white supremacy perpetuated in the Western educational system stunts America�s growth as well, Min. Farrakhan said.

"It is wonderful to say that Greeks started Western civilization," Min. Farrakhan added. "But that�s only partly true. Why can�t we be honest enough to put in the history books that civilization started in Africa through people of dark skin? Why can�t you say that? That doesn�t diminish the Caucasian by saying that civilization began in Egypt or in Africa. We are only diminished when we try to hide the truth to exalt ourselves because of our color."

Keeping to the Million Family March�s broader focus, compared to the standard set by the Million Man March, Min. Farrakhan addressed issues outlined in the march "National Agenda 2000-2008." The public policy recommendations in the document cover diverse topics, including political empowerment, voting rights, prison reform, immigration, education, and computer literacy.

At times, Min. Farrakhan focused on specific issues that affect the quality of life of many Black families. But his message addressed a variety of topics�from the conflict in the Middle East, to forthcoming presidential elections, to the value of women in every aspect of civilization building.

"It is not God that has relegated females to an inferior position," Min. Farrakhan said. "It is our misunderstanding of the word of God."

With regard to the Palestinian and Israeli conflict, Min. Farrakhan said there can be no lasting peace in that troubled area, unless that peace is structured on the principle of justice.

As for the U.S. government, he asked Blacks, Latinos and the poor to vote their conscience in the Nov. 7 presidential elections. Vice President Al Gore, the Democratic presidential candidate, and Texas Governor George W. Bush Jr., the Republican candidate, are running in a dead heat.

"As Black people there�s nothing that we have gained in America that we didn�t have to suffer, bleed and die to get," Min. Farrakhan said. "So there�s no sense in thinking that if Mr. Gore wins or Mr. Bush wins that this will necessarily mean that we will get all that we need." Min. Farrakhan noted that only the power of a people united for a just agenda will force politicians to do better.

He offered to be the "Statue of Liberty" for the millions of youth whose concerns Mr. Gore and Mr. Bush have largely ignored in the presidential race. He also asked hip hop guru Russell Simmons, CEO of Rush Communications, to help him mobilize 18- to 35-year-old youth nationwide to register to vote.

When the crowd began a wild chant of "Farrakhan for president!" He declined nomination.

"I�m not a politician," he said. "I like to be able to speak the truth. I believe that we as men of God as women of God have a duty by the politicians to tell them �thus sayeth the Lord.� I don�t ever want to be in a position that I got to be all things to all people and nothing to myself and to my people."

Min. Farrakhan called proper knowledge the solution to the ills that affect humanity.

"When you have a book and you open the book it looks like wings," he said. "The Bible is a book of heavy knowledge. Open it and take on wings. The Holy Qur�an is a healing book for the nations. Open the book and fly away. It is only when you put on wings that you can rise above blackness, rise above whiteness, rise above color, rise above national origin, rise above ethnicity, rise above sexuality, rise above materialism. When you take on the wings of knowledge then you can rise above all the things that have kept us divided."

The Minister proposed an economic plan as he closed his speech.

The plan is designed to "rebuild the wasted cities not just depending on government," to use the unity of the masses to make government responsive, to create more business opportunities in communities across America, to back strong politicians, and to invest in Africa, Min. Farrakhan said.

The Million Family March Economic Development Fund calls for every family at the march to donate a minimum of $100 until Oct. 16, 2001. The money will be placed in a fund at Seaway National Bank of Chicago.

Min. Farrakhan and Rep. Earl Hilliard (D-Ala.), chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus Task Force for the Million Family March, along with "a few more respected people that have passed certain tests" are the signers on the account.

Min. Farrakhan promised, "Not a dime will be spent except those board members decide. They won�t decide for one year. At the end of the year next year, I want to be able to report to you that in your economic development funds there is from $500 million to $1 billion."

At the podium, Min. Farrakhan thanked those who helped make the day possible. They included MFM National Director Min. Benjamin F. Muhammad, the local organizing committees, members of the Nation of Islam, the Million Family March program committee, the speakers, the families assembled and even members of street organizations called "gangs."

Noting prominent individuals who provided financial support for the March, Min. Farrakhan thanked businessman LeVan Hawkins, music executive Barry Hankerson, the singer Prince, clothing designer Karl Kani, actor-comedian Steve Harvey, record producer Russell Simmons, and all of the hip hop artists and entertainers who helped.

He especially thanked the Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon of the Unification Church and the International Interreligious Federation for Peace.

"For they were committed and worked very hard to make this day possible," Min. Farrakhan said. "On behalf of all of us ... our sincere thanks and deep sense of personal gratitude for your effort to make this day possible."

Even before the Minister took center stage, an electrifying undercurrent of anticipation could be felt throughout eight hours of musical performances and speeches leading up to his appearance. A short video was shown just before Asst. Min. Ishmael R. Muhammad introduced Min. Farrakhan to an ecstatic crowd.

Titled "The Life and Work of the Honorable Louis Farrakhan," the video highlighted some of his travels abroad and meetings with influential leaders and champions of the oppressed such as Fidel Castro of Cuba, Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat, and Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi.

Seated on the dais on either side of Min. Farrakhan were numerous dignitaries from the entertainment, political, religious, local, national, and international arenas, and former presidents and prime ministers of several countries.

Some of the dignitaries included Mrs. Virginia Williams, mother of Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams; former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry; Mrs. Jesse Jackson; singer Stephanie Mills; Dr. Dorothy Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women; entertainers Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown; Rev. Run of Run DMC, rapper Common, Doug E. Fresh, Michael Colyar; the Rev. Joong Hyun Pak, international representative of the World Federation of Peace; Rahbee Ben Ammi Ben Israel; former Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega; Liberia�s First Lady Jewell Howard Taylor; and Chief Ernie Long Walker and his wife Warrior Woman of the Red Wind Sovereign International Nation.