A question for white America

In 1995, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan called for a Million Man March because, among other reasons, "I wanted to change the image of Black men around this earth because the image that was shown of us in movies, in videos and culturally degenerate expression gave the world a picture of us that I felt set us up for destruction, that if the forces in this world moved against the Black community, there would be no outcry in the world because the world saw us as a savage people�as a people unworthy of respect as human beings."

It is by God�s grace that the success of the March accomplished that goal, even though the forces against the rise of Black people persist in their negative portrayals of our community overall.

It is also God�s hand that is supporting Min. Farrakhan as he fights to beat back the persistent and wickedly-motivated media portrayals of himself as anti-Semitic, anti-white, anti- just about anything positive that one can think of despite his good words and deeds.

The latest attempt occurred in Los Angeles during his visit to promote the Oct. 16 Million Family March, an event that will bring to center stage the wholesome values of family, community and nation that are in dire need in this country.

Despite all the discussion by talk show hosts, their guests and the political talking heads about the fact that Senator Joseph Lieberman�selected by Vice President Al Gore to be his running mate in the upcoming presidential election�is Jewish, it was the comments of Min. Farrakhan that became gristle for public debate. Why?

In reality it was not his comments that were bantered about in the media, it was the wicked spin on his words that created the mischief.

"Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan on Friday questioned the national loyalty of Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph I. Lieberman, asking if his Jewish religion would make him more faithful to Israel or the United States," the Los Angeles Times lead stated in a story in its Aug. 12 edition.

While Min. Farrakhan, responding to a reporter�s question at a press conference, only raised the issue that many people in the country were asking and one that is already openly discussed in the media, suddenly the media wants to portray the issue as one that is Min. Farrakhan�s singular concern.

In fact, the same issue came up days earlier when the Senator was a guest on the nationally-viewed CNN�s "Larry King Live" show. In response to a question of whether he would be predisposed to favoring Israel in negotiations with Arab states (meaning his "loyalty"), the Senator said his "first and primary loyalty is, of course, to the United States of America." Was Larry King painted as anti-Semitic for raising the question?

"Black America would always be ready to receive a Jewish vice president because it has never been a problem for Black people what a person�s faith is if that person is qualified. I must say, though, the choice of Senator Lieberman is a great test for the United States of America. Not so much for the Blacks. But it is a test for America. The question should be, is white America ready to have a Jewish vice president who is a heartbeat away from being the President of the United States of America?

That�s a question white America has to answer.