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MINISTER LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPEECH IN REVIEW (4889 hits)


Nearly two decades after the Million Man March, Minister Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, is still challenging African Americans to take responsibility for their lives.

“I am the change that I am looking for. Don’t look for someone else to make changes for you,” said Farrakhan during a 90-minute discussion Friday night at Bowie State University where he talked about several topics including the presidential race, gay relationships, colorism and the possible white backlash if President Obama is reelected.

He acknowledged supportive whites, but also noted the rise in racially charged rhetoric and voting suppression tactics.


(Hamil R. Harris - The Washington Post) Unlike on Election Night in 2008, when many African Americans took to the streets “like Joe Louis won. … if the brother wins, go in the house,” he said sparking laughter, applause and head nodding in agreement to his sentiment.

Farrakhan’s appearance was part of the university’s “I Am” lecture series, which was developed by Student Government Association leaders. Past speakers have included actor/motivational speaker Hill Harper and poet and activist Nikki Giovanni.

Throughout his speech, Farrakhan urged the audience, comprised mostly students, to think critically and independently.

“Knowing something today that didn’t know yesterday should always make you feel better,” he said.

He also challenged listeners to become entrepreneurs and to reconsider some long-held, but perhaps, unproductive ideologies whether it involved spending habits, clothing choices or diets.

“What do you eat? What are you eating?” he asked before joking about how as college students they do not have a lot of money and have to rely on those “Roman noodles.”

Even though he couldn’t resist walking across a field of land minds at times, the 79-year leader at times laughed at his comments in a room filled with nearly 1,000 people.

While Farrakhan is considered a polarizing figure because of comments he has made about Jews, whites and gays he enjoys hero status among many in the black community. In October 1995, he convened the historic Million Man March where black men from across the country filled the Mall from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument, vowing to take responsibility for their lives, their families and their communities.


(Hamil R. Harris - The Washington Post) At Bowie State, Farrakhan tailored his message primarily to students who might struggle in the sciences, math or even history.

“How can you say ‘I don’t like mathematics?’ You are mathematics,” he said before imitating an athlete dribbling a basketball or a director making movies. “That is mathematics.” He emphasized how many young people mistakenly devalue their problem solving and critical thinking skills.

“I am biology, I am anthropology and I am mathematics. … You’ve got to class with the attitude of masters,” he said. “What’s wrong with you is the very thing that you don’t like. … I am created by God to be the master of what He created.”

Farrakhan devoted the second half of his lecture to the state of black America where he talked about how some obstructionists on Capitol Hill have been trying to defeat President Obama since he took the oath of office.

While Farrakhan spoke against the gay lifestyle he quickly said “I am not homophobic,” and “I’m not trying to hurt nobody.” He warned against looking down on gays “just because you don’t agree with their lifestyle.”

“Promiscuity is killing us. Disrespecting our women is killing us. Never use the ‘B’ word to describe any female,” he said, also admonishing women for also using the word.

Kirby Griffin of Baltimore said he’s been listening to Farrakhan since 1989. Griffin said he appreciated Farrakhan’s call for African Americans to reform what’s broken and he though it was “good that he spoke to the college students on issues that they needed to hear.

“I’ve heard him before and he would focus on one subject, but I liked how he touched on different things.”

Valorie Powell, a Bowie alumna from Mitchellville, agreed.

“I thought he was very informative,” she said. “He touched on different areas that were pertinent to students and adults. I liked how the way he tried to get a message to every age group.”
Posted By: Siebra Muhammad
Sunday, October 28th 2012 at 5:30PM
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i was just looking for this thank you

Sunday, October 28th 2012 at 5:38PM
DAVID JOHNSON
yes yes yes !
Sunday, October 28th 2012 at 5:51PM
DAVID JOHNSON
LET me MUTTER A few words ,, Carmell, the NOI to me ,are the front line soldiers for the black race and they have been this way since their inception into the black community ,they always looked out for our people from day one ,,as a youth growing up in Harlem New York I seen first hand the the hopelessness in the heart of my people ,from the drugs to poverty living there was no hope ,there was cotton come to Harlem daddy rich and the crew , Marcus Garvey ,mlk and the panthers ,along with The Nation Of Islam ,the nation was taking dope fens off the streets and giving them hope helping the black race stand up right and today there are programs out there that are helping our black youth ,but the NOI is walking the streets and talking face to face with the gang banger,bringing the churches together for one common cause ,,to better our people ,,I got nothing but love for the NOI!
Thursday, November 1st 2012 at 7:42PM
DAVID JOHNSON
Peace Sister Charnell:

I hear what you're saying sister, I give much credit to that. However, I'm not around the NOI headquarters in Chicago 24/7, so I don't know all the ins and outs of what has been taking place in the NOI. I was born and raised in the Nation Of Islam, But while no Nation is far from being perfect, I believe whatever is in, around or through the NOI is by Allah's permission. The University of Islam, the Muhammad Farms, etc. are still in operation.

Minister Farrakhan is and has always been a beautiful brother in my book. And I believe Minister Farrakhan would rebuild a much stronger NOI, equipped with farms, schools, and businesses beyond restaurants and bakeries. However, because many of our brothers and sisters both inside as well as outside the Nation choose to operate more on egotistical B.S. and the "Big I, Little You" syndrome, they are not able to pack a more mighty punch.

What would be more beneficial, would be for these scholars to put their emotions and egoisms aside and focus on what needs to be done for the sake of ALL our people.
Thursday, November 1st 2012 at 7:45PM
Siebra Muhammad
Well said...
Sunday, November 4th 2012 at 5:11PM
Siebra Muhammad
Teach hard my chosen Black leader, teach hard!!! (smile)
Thursday, April 10th 2014 at 6:47PM
ROBINSON IRMA
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