Rev. Malik Al-Akram addressed members of Umoja, Boston University’s black student union, last night at the College of Arts and Sciences, saying he is “100 percent” sure that African Americans will receive reparations for slavery in the near future.
“America will pay black people reparations,” Al-Akram said. “It is not a question of whether she wants to or doesn’t want to.”
Al-Akram, the Boston Representative of the Lost-Found Nation of Islam, called for reparations to all African Americans, regardless of religion or politics. He argued that blacks have been oppressed in America for 445 years and deserve compensation in the form of money, gold, equipment and real estate, among other things.
“What does America owe you? More than it can ever pay,” Al-Akram told the group. “She owes you the restoration of everything that was taken from you.”
Al-Akram told the crowd of 40 that more than money was owed to them, claiming “Caucasian America” stole the African Americans’ culture, religion and language. He suggested the American government make all of these accessible to blacks.
Al-Akram denounced American media for failing to bring attention to the movement and the individuals leading the fight for reparations, claiming it has “knowingly suppressed vital information” through the media.
“America’s media is not fair,” Al-Akram said. “It is a media that is controlled by racist interests.”
“For years I have furnished The Boston Globe with details of the reparations movement, and they have not printed a word of it,” Al-Akram continued.
He proclaimed the American government to be a “fraud,” citing the black voters who were allegedly turned away from the polls in Florida during last November’s presidential election.
“A society that based itself on lies is a society that sews the seeds of its own destruction,” Al-Akram said.
Al-Akram’s speech comes at a time when the issue is beginning to receive national attention following David Horowitz’s controversial anti-reparations advertisement, which was featured by numerous college newspapers and sparked debates at some universities.
“What is interesting is that because he’s denounced reparations with specious reasoning,” Al-Akram said, “it has brought a lot of attention to him from both supporters of himself and supporters of reparations.”
Some students expressed some disagreement with Al-Akram on certain issues following his speech, questioning whether his goals would lead to greater interracial conflict.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a group of Caucasians that would resort to violence to subvert reparations,” Al-Akram said. “But it’s not going to work.”
“I think he started off with some important facts, but he definitely lost me toward the end with certain claims,” said CAS senior Obenewa Amponsah.
Fabiola Dieudonne, president of Umoja, told the group after the meeting that Al-Akram’s speech did not represent the opinions of Umoja.
“What he was saying was his own view, and I think it’s helpful for everyone to get other opinions before making their own,” Dieudonne said. “It’s an important issue and I’m glad that our members and BU students have gotten this information.”
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