Louis Farrakhan

* It was interesting to read that the Congressional Black Caucus and other black leaders have embraced Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam “as a full partner in the effort to improve the lives of African-Americans” (Commentary, by Clarence Page, Sept. 21).

The Nation of Islam advocates racial separatism. It calls for “complete separation (for blacks) in a state or territory of our own,” and believes “that intermarriage or race mixing should be prohibited.” Farrakhan has said that the NOI will no longer preach that the white man is the devil. But the Sept. 22 edition of the Final Call, the NOI newspaper, has a reprint of a 1966 speech by Elijah Muhammad in which the white race is repeatedly referred to as “devils.” There was no comment in that newspaper to indicate that this belief had changed.

I was sorry to see that there was no editorial criticism of black leaders embracing a racist organization.

STEPHEN M. KIRBY

Chino

* Page seems more concerned about Louis Farrakhan’s comments about Jews than his accomplishments in the African community. Page didn’t mention that Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam have done more than any black organization in lowering crime in drug-infested neighborhoods or getting young people off drugs and out of prison, and teaching them self-respect and reliance in themselves, not the government. That’s why he’s the most respected man in the African community and that’s why Jesse Jackson, Ben Chavis, and the Congressional Black Caucus’ Kweisi Mfume are trying to embrace him and some of his ideas. Shame on you, Clarence Page, for trying to demonize this man.

MARK SIMS

Irvine