| [ EnglishOnly ] in KIDS 글 쓴 이(By): bdkil (길병도 ) 날 짜 (Date): 1995년10월16일(월) 00시35분55초 KST 제 목(Title): Who is Farrakhan? Farrakhan inspires and infuriates at once Louis Farrakhan inspires some and infuriates others, but wherever the fiery Nation of Islam leader goes he draws a crowd. Now the man who, in an interview broadcast on Friday, again referred to Jews as "bloodsuckers" and has belittled Catholics, whites and homosexuals, is hoping to draw a million black men to Washington on Monday in an event billed as a day of atonement, prayer and inspiration. Farrakhan, who did not respond to requests for an interview, said in public appearance Saturday that his latest remarks were taken out of context. But he's also not inclined to apologize for his words, nor is he one to retreat from his long-held views. The 62-year-old minister denied in television interviews this month that he or his organization "said that we hate whites, Catholics, Jews. That is someone else's assertion that they wish to place upon me and upon us." Farrakhan has made his name by stirring emotions and divisions among both blacks and whites. "It's hard to separate the message from the messenger," said Warren Eisenberg, deputy director of the Center for Public Policy at B'Nai B'rith International. "Farrakhan has made a career and gotten a great deal of attention by using racism and anti-Semitism as weapons." Born Louis Eugene Walcott and raised in Boston, Farrakhan attended an Episcopal church and was an honors student and talented musician. He still plays the violin quite well today, music critics say. In 1955, while working as a calypso singer, he was recruited by Malcolm X. As a member of the black nationalist Nation of Islam, Farrakhan adopted his Muslim name. After founder Elijah Muhammad's death in 1975, the group split and Farrakhan took a more militant road, establishing his group in Chicago. Partial to expensive suits, cuff links and Italian shoes, Farrakhan's message is that blacks must help blacks to overcome racism and succeed. The problem, observers say, is the way he presents it. "The reality is that there is a fair amount of racism in this country that needs to be addressed," Eisenberg said, "but the dilemma is that Farrakhan's words infect minds with a kind of poison that does nothing to solve the problem." But some praise Farrakhan's conservative themes of self-reliance, discipline, clean living - no alcohol or no drugs - as well as his success in reforming addicts and hardened criminals. "I think that the voice that he has and some of the programs he has put forth have been very important and very good to the segment of the black community that he reaches," said Capers Funnye, the only black rabbi in the Chicago area. His mixed-race South Side congregation, Beth Shalom B'Nai Zaken, has about 100 members. Funnye, who has criticized Farrakhan for his remarks about Jews, called it unfortunate the rally's message has been usurped by the furor over Farrakhan leading it. "It was viewed as a massive effort by an inordinate number of organizations to come to the capital and say to the government that there's still a segment of this society that has not received all the benefits that this society has the potential for giving," he said. "Now the march is solely Louis Farrakhan." By The Associated Press What a man!!!! He also referred Koreans as "bloodsuckers"...... how poor man he is.. |