By CHESTER ROBARDS
Tribune Senior Reporter
crobards@tribunemedia.net
ALTHOUGH Nation of Islam Leader Louis Farrakhan admits The Tribune reported “perfectly” the words of a speech he gave at the College of the Bahamas Thursday, he claims a spin was put on his words that made them “mischievous” and “suggestive”.
His lawyer, Koed Smith, suggested at a press conference at the Executive Airport on Saturday that Mr Farrakhan is considering suing The Tribune over the article.
He also suggested that The Tribune represents Lyford Cay millionaire Louis Bacon, who has been at odds with another Lyford Cay millionaire, Peter Nygard.
However, Tribune publisher Eileen Carron has emphatically denied that The Tribune represents Mr Bacon.
“I neither know Bacon nor Nygard,” she said, “although I do know of their feud.”
Meanwhile, Mr Farrakhan has confirmed that it was Mr Nygard’s plane that flew him from Miami to the Bahamas.
According to Mr Farrakhan and Mr Smith, while the quotes used in The Tribune article were accurate, they were represented in the story “out of context”.
In fact, the article quoted Mr Farrakhan’s comments at some length. No interpretation or suggestions of his comments about “sending women to him” was made in the article.
Nevertheless, Mr Smith criticised the “impression” given by The Tribune’s coverage of these comments.
Mr Smith also tried to explain what Mr Farrahkan meant when he said: “I’m not looking for sport and I’m not looking for play. So you can’t send me no woman except to learn, and I don’t mean sex education.”
Pointing to a photo of Mr Nygard dancing with a Junkanoo dancer on a previous occasion, the lawyer said that although there were Junkanoo dancers present at the recent event, “there was no costuming like that. The Tribune in the caption to the photo, which was used to illustrate the article, made it clear that the photo was not taken at the event given for Mr Farrahkan.
Pointing out some people in attendance at the press conference, Mr Smith said the dancers were dressed in a similar way – in “cloth with a message”.
He added: “And so these things were suggested, especially when you take out of context this comment about women and sending women.”
“And so these things were so reprehensible that I’ve been now instructed by my client, Mr Farrakhan, to take steps toward finding legal remedy and recourse for this.”
“It is injurious,” Mr Smith claimed. “Minister Farrakhan is the spiritual and religious leader of an organisation and group of people who frown on that kind of behaviour. And so to say something like that and to give the impression that he was in the company of people who were even trying to make certain overtures is reprehensible and I do on behalf of the Bahamian people condemn The Tribune for having taken that sideswipe at our – and when I say our, I mean Bahamians – at our guest.”
Mr Farrakhan was invited to the Bahamas by former Progressive Liberal Party politician Keod Smith. Mr Farrakhan said he had never met Mr Nygard before attending a party in his honour at the millionaire’s Lyford Cay residence.
Mr Farrakhan said of his words printed in The Tribune: “I made no comments about women, and any comments I made about women, if you have those correct words that you quoted in the article, you would have known what I said. But I always speak of women in a very spiritual way because that is our teaching. We never ever downgrade or degrade women. To do that is against our teaching.
“The reason I take umbrage of reading such an article is because the mischief inherent in that article is first to say that I came to this island and rebuked Mr Nygard.
“Second, all on this island who have benefited from Mr Nygard’s kindness, now they saw me, they heard me and for them to read an article and they would think that Minister Farrakhan came, and this was put in his honour, and this is what he did to Mr Nygard.
“Then, it puts me at odds with the people that I love and the people that I come to serve. And that is the mischief of a mischief maker using the media to divide and to put hatred between friends and brothers, or to break up a friendship even before the friendship is formed.
“I am not a liar nor would I come to the Bahamas to disrespect a man who hosted me in his home. I know nothing about Mr Nygard except the good that I saw and the good that I felt and the good that I heard. Now if you know something else, that’s on you.”
Mr Farrakhan returned to the US Saturday afternoon.
LOUIS FARRAKHAN QUOTE IN FULL
Mr Keod Smith, issued the following quote at Saturday’s press conference from the speech given by Mr Farrakhan at the College of the Bahamas.
“Rich people come, this is a paradise for everybody else but you. And we sit back and we allow ourselves to be put in a condition and it’s not other people’s fault.
“I was at the home of Mr Nygard, way out somewhere, a gated community. Some black people can’t go in there except as a servant, a cook, a butler, to care for the lawn.
“Last night they had something there that I was invited to. That was amazing to see all the black people that came and they put on a Junkanoo show for me.
“Now you know, I’m a very simple man. My staff can tell you I’m not a sightseer. I done seen palm trees. I’m not a person that go looking for bush, I’ve seen bushes.
“When I go, I come to do a job, to teach my people what God has blessed us to have, to teach them and I go back to my hotel. I’m not looking for sport and I’m not looking for play. So you can’t send me no woman except to learn, and I don’t mean sex education.
“So I was in a place last night that was magnificently beautiful and there were all these black people that came past the gate because Mr Nygard wanted them there on that piece of ground that most black people just keep driving by, don’t even go that way.
“And when white people come and own the land the first thing they do, they make it a gated community. And they don’t want no riff-raff.
“You come, you do your work and get out. When night time come, go. And there is always somebody to ask you ‘what you doing here?’ In your land. Did you hear me?
“Now either this is yours or you’re not the owner any more of this. But you paid a price and the land is being sold right out from under your foot.”
Comments
TalRussell 11 years, 2 months ago
This guy is always claiming the media is mistaken about what he rants on about. What should be concerning to christian Bahamians is that he actually was allowed to land his backside on Bahamaland's soil. Who gave permission for this man to even be allowed to walk through front the academic doors of the College of the Bahamas?
From the photos I've seen it sure appears like some of our politicians and wanna-be respected Bahamians couldn't wait to be photographed standing next to this basket case of preaching his twisted hatred while making the most ridiculous accusations?
Little wonder that the nation of Islam's core membership world-wide is estimated to be less than 30,000 foolish out of step with reality souls.
Preachers of Bahamaland why are you so silent over this man being allowed to address our students at the COB? You make noise about certain singers performing in Bahamaland but not the rants of this man?
by TalRussell
proudloudandfnm 11 years, 2 months ago
Man let this racist moron sue. Keod knows he has no case but ga take Farrakan's money anyway. Farrakan is doing what he ahs always done. Panering to racism and ignorance. Bout say balc folks can't go ionto Lyford Cay. Guess what moron? White folks can't go either.. What an azz!!
Ironvelvet 11 years, 2 months ago
I went back and found the original article that Farrakhan speaks of, and I do agree that once again another article is reported and written poorly. The only thing that can come from Farrakkan's lawsuit is due diligence from reporters in reporting what is said.
I disagree with Farrakhan in his remarks that the media twisted his words, because it seemed to report verbatim without any deductive reasoning, as most of the articles are typically reported. It was just a long rant of quotes that the reporter hoped we would be able to decipher after rereading it multiple times.
Personally, I don't see what was offensive about what Farrakhan said because his speech was nothing but disjointed ideas that would take multiple replays and a translator of the inner workings of his mind so as to understand.
In this case the Tribune lucked up as Farrakhan is an idiot where this is not the first time he has complained of someone twisting his words, however I think this is a serious enough action to make the Tribune pay attention to what many people often complain about, poor journalism.
proudloudandfnm 11 years, 2 months ago
I don't think it's poorly written, I think they're quoting a moron with no grasp of the english language. Or maybe he's acting like a moron so he can connect with the ignorant and the racists he so rabidly targets....
Someone needs to tell this azzhole that we don't need his kind in our country ever again. Even if they are invited by that scum bag nygard. We get enough problems we don't need slime like farrakan coming here with is brand of racism...
jackbnimble 11 years, 2 months ago
I read the first written article which quoted the gentleman verbatim and I too got the "twisted" impression - I was like, "WTH!". After listening to the above audio, however, I am sorry but I DO agree that his words were printed in such a way that a reader would get a certain impression especially when reading the part about "you cannot send no woman to me, except to learn" which I understood to be a general statement by someone who has probably had women sent to his hotel room for pleasure when visiting certain places. The written quote in my mind gave the impression that his host had sent someone to his room and this was a direct barb at the host.
It is obviously difficult to print words with the proper inflection to give the impression made by the actual speaker and hence written quotes can be subject to misinterpretation. I am glad that The Tribune put the audio on for clarification but again this is just my PERSONAL opinion.
dfitzerl 11 years, 2 months ago
What ever one thinks of Farrakhan, I can't see how the words he spoke fit with the headline "Nygard faces the wrath of Farrakhan".
GregAbdul 11 years, 2 months ago
Most of all, Luis Farrakhan is NOT a Muslim. He is a black hate monger and a negro nazi. Black people should leave his foolishness alone. The only reason black Christians like him is because who would want to be a Muslim when you look at him and his followers? You are taking false comfort. He does not represent Islam. You can feel comfortable that you are not a fascist like him and that is false comfort. Be a real Christian and practice love for all, even those who don't believe as you do. Farrakhan only believes in complaining about anyone who isn't black. You should not waste your time giving publicity to this negro wannabe Hitler.
jusscool 11 years, 2 months ago
If you think Mr.Farrakhan was totally incorrect we are all fools. The worst people to work for is the Chinese.Constant mind games they play with the workers and our Gov'nt. The 4.9mil Ginn project was doomed since the chinese got here. That project would have put more Grand Bahamians to work ,causing a mass exodus from chinese owned businesses here on the island. Every investor that comes to the island is knocked down our gets lost. We are in trouble people, when we can't stand on our two feet and sustain ourselves .Young Nygard said it best. Unconfirmed reports it that the Chinese is buying up large amounts of land in the eastern end of the island of G.B . They our not here on vacation people they mean business,not the one we expect.People of Nassau watch your backs. Put your seatbelts on people we are in for a long and bumpy ride!
damianbashment 9 years, 6 months ago
I am Disgusted by some of your marks against Minister louis farrakhan. Your former slave master speak through you. When the white man torched, rape and killed your ancestors don't you think they were wicked, evil and racist. Its irritating and troublesome to see black brother and sister speak bad about another because of being illiterate. Brother and sister instead be blind deaf and dumb get up and go study. Learn about yourself and your history. Stop begin illiterate and speak about things you do not understand. These comments you made are the remarks your former slave master as taught your fore parents and as traveled through your family line and is manifesting its self now through your mouth. may god bless you my black brother and sisters
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