The Honorable Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan: One of One!

The Historic Meeting with the Men of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Part 2

by Darrell L. Williams, Ph.D.

Reel Urban News

Through the fire, the Honorable Minister Farrakhan has been and is still a voice for the voiceless (See The Final Call, Vol. 45, No. 27). Minister Farrakhan has not only talked the talk but has walked the walk. In essence, he has put his time, talent and treasure where his mouth is!

To address the ills plaguing many urban neighborhoods and their families across the world, the Nation of Islam is one of the most effective organizations in directly transforming the lives of drug addicted men, women and children.

I remember the legendary comedian and advocate Dick Gregory said in a speech and he told me personally during a visit to Milwaukee, the Nation of Islam had the best training program he had seen “that took people who would be considered the worst of us and clean them up and make them the best of us … all while promoting the value of loving yourself and doing for yourself!”

As well, I remember Minister Farrakhan’s leadership to help create safe living environments for our people who resided in the projects and low-income housing. Not only did Minister Farrakhan show leadership, but he took decisive action.

In the 1990s, there was a housing project in Chicago called Cabrini-Green. I clearly recall when Minister Farrakhan and the Fruit of Islam (F.O.I.) went into the Cabrini-Green Housing Projects.

The Cabrini-Green projects were filled with crime, drug-infested, and extreme violence. The inhabitants of the project were Black, and they lived under constant stress and fear. It was a deplorable situation.

Furthermore, the police were hesitant to respond, residents lived in fear and the postal service refused to send letter carriers to even deliver the mail.

However, within a few weeks of the F.O.I.’s arrival, drug dealers left, crime stopped and the residents expressed a high sense of safety and security and the postal service began to deliver the mail once again.

Minister Farrakhan’s support of humanity is not just local, but global. His international relationships and global reach have helped save lives. In a world filled with racism.

It was the Honorable Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan, Brother Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. and others who were members of the Interfaith delegation to Damascus in 1984, which led to the successful release and freedom of captured Navy Pilot Lieutenant Robert Goodman who was held by the Syrians after his aircraft was shot down over the Syrian controlled territory in Lebanon.

Even more, the world will never forget the leadership of the Honorable Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan in successfully organizing the largest (gathering) of Black men in the history of the world in the Million Man March on October 16, 1995. 

Instead of one million men, approximately two million attended in a show of unity and pledge to make themselves, their homes, their children and their communities better. As a result of this historic meeting, the lives of many people, especially Black people, lives were forever changed for the better.

I can go on with stories of the Nation of Islam’s positive impact on individual transformation from national figures like Malcolm X to local people like my friend who lives up the street.

Additionally, there are many examples of community improvement, like the Cabrini-Green Housing Projects, to the tremendous work taking place right here in Milwaukee and within respective communities around the United States and the world. 

As a direct result of Minister Farrakhan’s leadership and those who follow his leadership around the world, thousands of disenfranchised people’s lives have been made better, and many poor and impoverished communities are safer places to live.

Despite such progress, we still have a long way to go! At 92 years young, the Honorable Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan has not given up the fight. He continues to stand and walk shoulder to shoulder with us in the struggle to uplift and empower our people while fighting to ensure that America lives up to its promise to our people.

With such pride and admiration, and in that spirit, I felt extremely honored and privileged, along with the other 50 or so Omega Men, to be a part of this historic meeting with our dear brother … the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. 

As an added bonus, I was honored to work alongside Brother James Witherspoon, the Omega international photographer, to photograph and document this historic meeting.

Prior to the meeting, the brothers and I met and greeted each other in the spirit of brotherhood and love. As we talked, I discovered that many brothers had traveled long distances by flight, train, and some drove more than six hours, like me, to attend this meeting.

It was evident that every brother there was just as excited to meet the Minister as I was. Many brothers expressed that this was a lifelong wish for them as well.

After graciously going through the very thorough security protocols, we all waited in anticipation for the Honorable Brother Louis Farrakhan’s arrival and entry into the room.

After a few minutes, the moment we came for had arrived. Upon Minister Farrakhan entering the room, everyone stood, cheered and clapped to honor this great man and brother who we came to meet, hear, recognize and pay tribute!

His presence immediately charged the already positive atmosphere of the room times 10. His smile lit up the room. It was infectious as his energy and overall spirit inspired and uplifted us before he even said one word.

We were all in awe to be in the presence of one who has been on the frontlines fighting for justice for so long and on so many levels … and still fighting for us today!

As I looked into his eyes, I could see the mixture of emotion caused by what he has seen and experienced over his 92 years … the joy, pain, happiness, hurt, progress, hope, concern, pride and the list could go on.

I kept thinking how I would love to sit and talk to him or interview him. I would love to just sit, listen and absorb all of the knowledge that he is willing to share. His story, that is still being written, is truly one of faith, strength, courage, and resilience.

As the meeting began, Minister Farrakhan greeted us in his customary way with words of peace, “As-Salaam-Alaikum (Peace be unto you),” and we responded in kind with, “Wa Alaikum Salaam, Sir.” 

He then welcomed us in brotherly love and thanked us for coming to the meeting. With each word that the Minister spoke, you could hear and feel the knowledge and wisdom coupled with sincerity and courage in his voice. 

Knowing that time was of the essence, the meeting began. We were honored to have Brother Don Enoch Muhammad to moderate the meeting. Tenth District Representative, Marquis D.P. Sang made sincere comments expressing thanks for a lifetime of service, and then he made a presentation to Minister Farrakhan on behalf of the 10th District.

Next, Brother Jason Poindexter, 1st Vice Tenth District Representative, spoke and then made a presentation to Brother Farrakhan.  Afterward, Brother Sean Long, Past 10th District Representative, gave a few comments and then made a presentation to Minister Farrakhan.

Next, we were honored to have Brother Mark E. Jackson, 1st Vice Grand Basileus, to briefly speak and make a presentation to Minister Farrakhan.

On this rare occasion, during the transition of presenters and presentations, I was honored to capture a photograph of Brother Witherspoon and Minister Farrakhan. As well, I was honored to have a very brief moment to personally meet and thank Minister Farrakhan for his lifelong service and for meeting with us.

In kind, I am grateful to Brother Witherspoon who took a picture of Minister Farrakhan and me to capture this historic moment. This was significant as so often the people who take the photographs during events are never in the pictures. 

In any case, at the conclusion of the presentations, we took a few more pictures and we all stood and gave the Honorable Brother Minister Farrakhan a well-deserved and earned standing ovation. 

After the long-standing ovation, Minister Farrakhan began to speak. For a man who does not do what he does for awards or clout and for a man who has probably received more forms of recognition than you could possibly count.

I felt his spirit and how pleased he was at his fellow Omega Brothers’ outward sign of inward grace and the heartfelt appreciation that we bestowed upon him. As Minister Farrakhan spoke, all present listened attentively and hung on to every word.

Minister Farrakhan spoke so humbly, but powerfully, and yet so effortlessly with so much knowledge, wisdom, passion, conviction, and truth. At this moment, every person in the room knew they were experiencing a special and historic moment of a lifetime while getting a master class lesson from the man himself, …the Honorable Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan. 

It touched the heart and uplifted the spirit of every Omega Man present when Minister Farrakhan proudly, boldly and with sincere passion said, “Omega Men have contributed a lot to the growth and development of our people and our institutions. And even though we have been unsung heroes, we have done so much to make America what America has not yet become!”

Minister Farrakhan also praised our fraternity for our past and current nationwide work as we live up to our four cardinal principles of: Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift! He also stressed that we must continue, as there is still so much more work to be done.

He also acknowledged us as men of courage. As such, we have a responsibility and obligation to stand up and fight injustice, promote truth and take action to raise the quality of life for our people … starting with making our homes and communities safe places to live.

Furthermore, with the recent passing of Brother Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson Sr., we all took a pause to reflect and pay our respects. In that spirit, Minister Farrakhan recognized, gave condolences and shared words of praise and comfort for our dearly departed Brother Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

It was evident that their bond was genuine and unbreakable. After Rev. Jackson Sr. entered Omega Chapter, many people began to express their appreciation and admiration.

However, one of the most impactful, heartfelt, meaningful and beautiful tributes was given, while he was still alive to receive his flowers, during a face-to-face meeting between Brother Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson and the Honorable Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan.

The words exchanged between these two great men, both Omega Men, who, in their youth, set aside their professional careers and gave their lives to fight injustice and uplift our people.

These two icons met in the twilight of their later years to express their love and admiration for each other … from one brother to another. Their bravery and courage will forever link them and uplift them to someday sit together again at the table with the Most  High! Their friendship and bond is one that even death cannot separate or break!

The other topics that we discussed was just for us! During this historic meeting, the Honorable Brother Minister Farrakhan unselfishly blessed us with two hours of his precious time, and gave us an experience of a lifetime.

He also left us with priceless gems of knowledge that empowered and inspired us to grab the baton that he and others have carried for so long and carry it across the finish line. With great clarity, we understand the assignment and we will see it through.

At the conclusion of the meeting, while I did not get a chance to say everything I wanted, I am so grateful that I had a brief moment to share what I did. Who knows, I may get another phone call inviting me to a future meeting. At the end of the day, if it is what God ordains, we will meet again! 

Therefore, I say with honor … To the bridge builder, the Honorable Brother Minister Louis Farrakhan, “‘a servant leader who is One of One,” on behalf of our people, we thank you for your life-long service and sacrifice and for your unyielding commitment through all of the trials and tribulations over 65 plus years to empower and uplift our people! 

Your work has not been in vain! May Allah (God) be pleased with your continued service!

Darrell L. Williams, Ph.D., is a distinguished educator, civic leader and Retired 29-year Combat Veteran (Awarded Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal), Rust College Graduate C/O 1993. Dr. Williams is an Editor at Large for ReelUrbanNews.com.