Farrakhan's movement AFTER THE Million Man march, Minister Louis Farrakhan has emerged as among the most significant leaders in the African American community, and the Nation of Islam (NOD) has become one of the most influential organisations in the country.
Farrakhan's prominence is genuine and carest: his support is wide and deeply felt.
Jourmalist Salim Muwakkil has observed of him: "He The taint of anti-semitism clings: remains the only his vision of history and politics is black leader capable of attracting inescapably mired in anti-semitism thousands to his speeches. Alone among contempo raries. Farrakhan is able to command the attention and building a base in Britain's black community: here at a protest against the murder of Brian Douglas corral the energies of the so- mass leader in the Africancalled hip-hop generation". American community. Barring none." mented: "What people have to understand is that funda- ing, especially when other mentally Farrakhan is the Black organisations are Phole: Paw Malisson wracked by crisis and depolicies are in many ways highly conservative become the champion of Blacks who reasons are angry and fed up with opfor his pression? influenc Conservative e? Why is While Farrakhan takes a the No. conservative stand on a range flourish of issues, he is openly defiant and unafraid to denounce the racist history and practices of the US government in the fercest, most uncompromisFor this reason Farrakhan and the NOt have bocome the vehicle for a mass Black nationalist sentiment demand. ing the "freedom, justice, and equality" which is long overdue.
In some portions of his presentation in Springfield he soundca as conservative d any of the Kepubican candi dates. "What's going on?" he repeatedly asked, denouncing the social ills and moral fail. ures that, in his view, bedevil America - the increased vist. bility of gays. indecent dress among women, the prevalence of nudity in Hollywood films. condom distribution in high schools, the legality of abortion and especially the lack of parental consent laws to restrict abortion for teenag• He criticised feminism. rap music and videos, and grunge culture: "you young white people with your head full of dope and your damn guitar and your long hair...you don't know whether you're a man or a woman - an caring in your damn ear. one in your nose."
Khomeini
He praised religious fundamentalism. Christian as well as Islamic, especially that of Ayatollah Khomeini.
Yet this conservative emphasis on morality and self. Improvemens is not caurchy negative. It is an antidote 10 the advertisers who have community the special target for liquor and tobacco sales.