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NEWARK—In a time of political and social wailing and gnashing of teeth, a much different tone echoed through a Robert Treat Hotel meeting room as Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan closed the State of the Black World Conference organized by Dr. Ron Daniels and the Institute for the Black World 21st Century.
The election of Donald J. Trump reflects a time and spirit in America that demands a proper response and that proper response is Black unity and an unyielding spirit of self-determination, said Min. Farrakhan.
“Why would I want to vote for continued rule by my oppressor? We have to vote for freedom from the oppressor,” said Min. Farrakhan. Mr. Trump plans to put “teeth” behind Make America Great again and that means pain for Blacks, he continued.
But beyond the November election of Mr. Trump to occupy the White House for the next four years, the truth is neither Democrats nor the Republicans have served Black interests well, he said. The evil of the White man has led to his utter confusion so why would you want to join that party? asked Min. Farrakhan Nov. 20.
He recited words from his teacher, the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad, who warned against blind faith in American politics and Black politicians willing to sell out the interests of their people for personal benefit. The State of the Black World conference drew an impressive array of Black scholars, thinkers and activists under the theme “It’s Nation Time.” Many were active in the Black Power movement and most embraced Black nationalist, Afrocentric or Pan African philosophies. The conference was dedicated to the late longtime activist and Black Arts movement giant Amiri Baraka, a son of Newark, writer and poet. His son, Ras Baraka, is now mayor, spoke at the conference, and joined the Minister on stage at its close.
The conference was the first major Black gathering since a White voter backlash led to one of the most stunning political upsets in American history. Lifted by White turnout in states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the billionaire, bombastic businessman defeated the highly qualified and highly distrusted former Secretary of State and senator Hillary Clinton. [READ MORE]
