WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan says black Americans must draw strength from one another to fight racism, which he says is still rife in the country.
Speaking at the National Press Club in Washington ahead of the 10th anniversary of the Million Man March, Farrakhan claimed racism is keeping too many blacks poor, uneducated and out of work, reports The Washington Post.
"We're tired of begging others to do for us what we have the capacity to do for ourselves," he said. "If you don't have a desire to help yourself, nobody will help you."
In his characteristic defiant tone, he chided his critics for seeking to have other black leaders repudiate him for remarks they perceive as sexist, homophobic and anti-Semitic, the Post reported.
Other reports said special guests at the anniversary march called Millions More Movement will include Warrior Woman and Chief Ernie Longwalker of the Red Indian Dakota Nation, Puerto Rican Nationalists Activists, and Black Activists Organized Coalition on Hurricane Katrina.
