Mr. Foxman, I wish to address your latest press statement, which basically said: If the Black masses don't quiet Min. Louis Farrakhan, the relationship between Jews and Blacks may be irreparably damaged.  In this letter, I wish to examine the so-called "relationship" between Jews and Blacks, to see if it worth saving.

Sometimes those involved in a relationship, must review all of it's facets, to determine it's worth.  If, after the pros and cons are weighed, the relationship is not deemed productive, then it may be better to terminate it.  The difficult part is terminating a relationship with out bitterness.

This is how I see "our" current relationship:

*     Africans were kidnapped, enslaved, tortured, and murdered in order to establish the power and economic bases this, and other countries, currently enjoy.

*    Many nationalities and religious groups either financed or benefited from the enslavement of Africans.  (Note:  Most nationalities, religious leaders, or countries have apologized for their part in that horrible episode.  The ADL, as a self appointed representative of the Jews, have denied the Jewish part, even though their involvement was documented by Jewish writers.)

*    Many movies have, and do, portray Blacks as sub-human, uncivilized, foolish, without morals, and overtly violent.  There seems to be an abundance of Jews in high places in the media, so it can be seen as an "attack" by Jews on Black people.

*    Until recently, most merchants in the Black community were Jewish.  They owned the quick shops, liquor stores, and cleaners.  At the end of the day, the merchants left the city with the "booty" they had acquired and went to their nice safe homes in the suburbs.

*    The ADL was caught spying on Martin Luther King and generations of his ancestors, The Black Panthers, The Nation of Islam and many other so-called "Anti-Semitic" people.  The facts gathered were "shared" with South Africa and Israel. To this day, I have not heard an explanation nor an apology for the ADL's invasion of privacy.  This could easily be called "Anti-Black" behavior.

*    It is common knowledge that if one wants a quality diamond, one should go to the Diamond District of New York City.  I wish someone would explain the "relationship" which exist between South Africa's stolen diamond mines and New York's Jewish community.

*    During the 30th Anniversary of Dr. King's March on Washington, Min. Louis Farrakhan was "un-invited" as a speaker at the behest of Rabbi David Saperstein.  I have a copy of, and have read, the fax which was sent to Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rev. Ben Chavis, Rev. Walter Fauntroy, and others, and I found it to be calculated, controlling and insulting.

*    The November 1993 speech of Dr. Khallid A. Muhammad's, at Kean College was met with jeers and cat calls by Jewish protesters, out side of the hall.  The protesters not only called for the death of Min. Louis Farrakhan, but also refused to debate Dr. Muhammad, when invited.

*    February 1994, the ADL and other Jewish organizations spent thousands of dollars to expose three month old words of Dr. Khallid Muhammad, in an effort to turn public opinion and many "mainstream" leaders against The Nation of Islam and Min. Louis Farrakhan, after his call to Black Men to help him clean up the black community.

*    Later the same month, Time magazine launched a full scale war against Min. Farrakhan with the words "Ministry of Rage" under a ghastly picture of Min. Farrakhan, and a very biased article.

*    Mr. Arsenio Hall invited Min. Farrakhan to be a guest on his show and allowed him to air his position to the world.

The following incidents happened:

*    Mr. Arsenio Hall's show was boycotted by members of the Jewish community.

*    The show was shown later than usual.  I saw it 12:30 A.M. and 2:00 A.M., where it's regular times are 11:30 P.M. and 12:30 A.M.

*    Mr. Arsenio Hall lost his show, after being boycotted by a few guest, who did not want to be seen on the same stage that Min. Farrakhan had be seen on. (Tolerance?, I think not!)

*    March of 1994, the New York Post allowed a Jewish reporter, to use the paper to declare that Min. Farrakhan was the architect of the murder of Malcolm X.  The New York Post and the reporter, Jack Newfield, have since had a lawsuit instigated against them by The Nation of Islam.

I have a copy of, and have read, the ADL's pamphlet Mainstreaming Anti-Semitism: The Legitimization of Louis Farrakhan, which was written in January, 1994 and I was quite enlightened. The pamphlet raised the following question: "Does our relationship to a black community in crisis need to take on a little more balance, with a little more empathy for the pain of the community, and a little less worrying about Mr. Farrakhan?"  My answer to this question is Yes!

On page 8, the pamphlet also states, that a fax sent to Representative Mfume, after the CBC- NOI-NAACP covenant was announced, which included the words "While the Caucus has the right to unite with whomever it pleases, associating with an avowed racist and anti-semite erodes the moral fiber of your worthy mission".  My response is: I do not think that the ADL should ever again use the word "moral", after being caught spying on Blacks and others.

Page 10 of the pamphlet also states: "ADL has a right to expect and to demand that any organization or individual turn a cold shoulder to Farrakhan.  Unless and until they do, there can be no business as usual."  I do not agree.  Neither the ADL, or any one else, has a right to demand anything from the Black community.  You may request, but you are not an a position to demand anything, and the inference that you think you possess such a right, is indicative of your view of your position in this so-called "relationship".  To suggest that you can demand anything
from the Black community is an insult.

Page 11 of the pamphlet also states "ADL has long insisted, and rightly so, that Farrakhan cannot be allowed to define or determine relations between the Jewish and Black communities".  Mr. Foxman, just as Min. Farrakhan "cannot be allowed to define or determine the relations" between our communities, neither can you.

In retrospect, does this sound like a relationship that should be saved?  I can only speak for myself, but I do not have an overwhelming desire to preserve a "relationship" of this type.  My perception, of the Jewish-Black relationship, is one in which the ADL side of the equation is blatantly offensive, demeaning, insulting, intrusive, and overtly paternalistic.  I have witnessed the vilification of Min. Farrakhan, Dr. Muhammad, Dr. Tony Martin, Dr. Leonard Jeffries, Bro. Malik Zulu Shabazz, Bro. Mark Thompson, and others, and frankly, I despise it.

I saw a BET interview with you, where you were asked why you could not sit down with Min. Farrakhan and work out your differences.  Your response was that you had nothing to discuss with him.  I greatly disagree.  If, as you claim, the facts of the book by the Research Department of The Nation of Islam are in error, please state that the Jewish sources of the book, The Secret Relationships Between Blacks and Jews, are also in error.  If the sources of the book are correct, then state it and end this campaign against Min. Farrakhan.  Your statement on BET that you
have "nothing to discuss with him", leads me to think that Min. Farrakhan is correct and you are afraid to debate him.  If one is correct and is telling truth, then one will debate or converse with anyone at anytime, and be able to prove their position.  Mr. Foxman, I urge you to sit with Min. Farrakhan and work out a solution to the dilemma that you and your colleagues, have created.

Hopefully, it has occurred to you by now that the Black community stands behind Min. Farrakhan, and that you have started a war that you will lose.  I see your latest appeal to the Black community, as a last ditch effort to exert pressure on Min. Farrakhan.  For the record, I will never tell Min. Farrakhan to "shut up".  He is my spokesman and has my undying support.  How dare you attempt to manipulate the Black community and it's leaders?  Just who do you think you are?

What kind of relationship do we have, if threats are used, to silence this side of the relationship?  That, to me, is an unhealthy or abusive relationship and I will not allow myself to be abused.  I equate your attitude, actions, and words to one of an abusive husband that tells his wife "Sit down and shut up, or you'll be sorry".  Mr. Foxman, I resent threats and I find that I rebel if I encounter them.  Believe me, when I say, that better than you have threatened and attempted to intimidate me and I will not have it!  The best way to get me to see your side, is not to shout, scream, or threaten.  The best way to get me to listen, is to speak with respect, and prove to me the error of my opinion.  Any other way is considered insulting and I will not even take the time to hear what you have to say!

This letter is not to suggest that I have not established any professional or personal relationships with members of the Jewish community.  The Jewish Men and Woman I know, are of character and have a deep and personal relationship with GOD.  I am not Anti-Semite, Anti-Jew, I am Anti-foolishness!  I am alarmed that your actions, and deeds, may sever all ties between the Black and Jewish communities, and I feel that the ADL should stop the propaganda against Bro. Farrakhan, for the sake of the so-called "relationship".

Tyree
1/12/97