Khalid Muhammad on Donahue

21.2.11

Editor's Note: Being this is ‘Black History’ month in the US, I felt it was appropriate to mention Bro. Min. Khalid Muhammad as his day of emergence was on Feb. 17th and whether you loved him, hated him or feared him, he spoke from the heart and with sincere love and dedication to his own people.

It is easy to call Min. Muhammad a hater and his own fiery oratory did little to betray that impression. He spoke strongly and without reservation. Unlike many revolutionary African leaders in the US, Min Muhammad was unique in that he stood by everything he talked about. He walked his talk, a virtue very few other 'Black' American leaders ever manage to put into practise.

In other words, he could be believed by the people because he spoke with facts. Of course most of the Euro-settler class was naturally predisposed to be disdainful of him, but many assimilated Africans in the US mainstream were equally opposed to his analysis. They could not deny his root analysis of anti-African social bias in the Americas, however. They were instead opposed on emotional grounds. They feared that his voice would ruin their chances at ‘equality’ and rejected him on a personal level without ever directly challenging or objectively considering his arguments.

Although Mr. Muhammad deconstructed the argument for African liberation in the US like no one else, he remains a figure in the shadows.

And there is a reason for that. He is legendary for his unyielding confidence in himself and his own historical reference. If you can get past the religious morality, the rhetorical language and the short-sighted cultural-nationalist inclination towards pointless homophobia, you will find this discussion with Hon. Bro. Khalid Abdul Muhammad and veteran television journalist Phil Donahue is a classic. The verbal sparring between Min. Muhammad and the studio audience is alone worth watching.
- TheAngryindian

Labels: Africa, African American, African diaspora, american racism, Human Rights and Liberties