Panel Addresses Racial Unity

Nation of Islam Minister Don Muhammad and Jewish activist Jack Nusan Porter addressed an audience of more than 100 students and faculty last night in a "conversation on Black-Jewish Unity."

The event, sponsored by the Harvard-Radcliffe Black Students Association (BSA) and held in Emerson Hall, was aimed at improving the sometimes-strained relations between Black and Jewish undergraduates, according to BSA President Zaheer R. Ali '94.

Muhammad began the event, which was moderated by Dean of Students Archie C. Epps III, with a brief history of the Nation of Islam, which he said was built around teachings of Black pride and self-awareness.

Muhammad, who presides over Muhammad's Mosque No. 11 in Boston, said that reconciling differences between Blacks and Jews will require "a concerted effort." He criticized a "segment of the Jewish people who have a great deal of influence or power [over other Jews]" for exacerbating tensions.

In his introductory remarks, Porter, a former professor at Boston University and Harvard research associate, concentrated on the legacy of the Holocaust and stressed possibilities of friendship between Blacks and Jews.

Porter said the two groups ought to unite to tackle society's injustices.

In response to a query about the roots of Black-Jewish conflict, Muhammad traced the history between the Nation of Islam and Jewish groups.

He defended the record of Minister Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam's leader, against what he said were unfair allegations of anti-Semitism.

Muhammad said that Farrakhan's repeated effortsto speak with Jewish leaders have been rebuffed.

"Louis Farrakhan has said probably 50 timesthat he was willing to sit down and talk withJewish persons," Muhammad said.

Porter spoke critically of the Nation ofIslam's book, The Secret Relationship BetweenBlacks and Jews, which he called "hurtful."Among other points, the book alleges that Jews hadextensive involvement in the slave trade.

The book drew criticism this summer from DuBoisProfessor of the Humanities Henry Louis Gates Jr.In an op-editorial in The New York Times, Gatescalled the book inaccurate and said that it wouldexacerbate tensions between Blacks and Jews.

The book was also criticized yesterday byHillel Coordinating Council Chair Shai A. Held'93, whose group declined an offer to co-sponsorlast night's event.

Held called the book "shoddy pseudo-scholarshipand rank anti-Semitism."

But Muhammad defended the publication lastnight and leveled criticism at Gates, who chairsHarvard's Department of Afro-American Studies.Muhammad called Gates' opinion piece in The Timesincorrect and "appalling,"

Muhammad said the book aimed at teaching Blacksabout their history and was not intended to"produce strife."

"Black folks never get our story told,"Muhammad said. "The misery that we suffered, it isunconscionable."

In response to another question about therelations between the Nation of Islam and Jewishorganizations, Muhammad said false allegations ofanti-Semitism obstruct the positive work of theNation of Islam.

"It seems like our biggest detractors are B'naiB'rith and the Anti-Defamation League," he said.

Muhammad stressed the importance ofunderstanding and sympathy between races and theimportance of Black self-pride.

Towards the end of the event, Porter called forthe BSA and Hillel to forge a coalition on campusto address inter-racial issues.

"We're not going to solve all of our problemstonight," he said

Muhammad said that Farrakhan's repeated effortsto speak with Jewish leaders have been rebuffed.

"Louis Farrakhan has said probably 50 timesthat he was willing to sit down and talk withJewish persons," Muhammad said.

Porter spoke critically of the Nation ofIslam's book, The Secret Relationship BetweenBlacks and Jews, which he called "hurtful."Among other points, the book alleges that Jews hadextensive involvement in the slave trade.

The book drew criticism this summer from DuBoisProfessor of the Humanities Henry Louis Gates Jr.In an op-editorial in The New York Times, Gatescalled the book inaccurate and said that it wouldexacerbate tensions between Blacks and Jews.

The book was also criticized yesterday byHillel Coordinating Council Chair Shai A. Held'93, whose group declined an offer to co-sponsorlast night's event.

Held called the book "shoddy pseudo-scholarshipand rank anti-Semitism."

But Muhammad defended the publication lastnight and leveled criticism at Gates, who chairsHarvard's Department of Afro-American Studies.Muhammad called Gates' opinion piece in The Timesincorrect and "appalling,"

Muhammad said the book aimed at teaching Blacksabout their history and was not intended to"produce strife."

"Black folks never get our story told,"Muhammad said. "The misery that we suffered, it isunconscionable."

In response to another question about therelations between the Nation of Islam and Jewishorganizations, Muhammad said false allegations ofanti-Semitism obstruct the positive work of theNation of Islam.

"It seems like our biggest detractors are B'naiB'rith and the Anti-Defamation League," he said.

Muhammad stressed the importance ofunderstanding and sympathy between races and theimportance of Black self-pride.

Towards the end of the event, Porter called forthe BSA and Hillel to forge a coalition on campusto address inter-racial issues.

"We're not going to solve all of our problemstonight," he said