Khalid Abdul Muhammed
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Khalid Abdul Muhammad (January 12, 1948-February 17, 2001) was an extremely controversial spokesperson for the Nation of Islam (NOI). He was famous for his inflammatory remarks against whites and Jews. Unlike other prominent NOI members, Muhammad openly admitted he was anti-semitic and never turned down an opportunity to express his unpopular views, which his supporters saw as "telling the truth".
After an notorious speech at Kean College in Union, New Jersey, Muhammad left the NOI in 1993. There is some question as to whether he was removed from the organization by Louis Farrakhan or if his departure was on his own accord.
James Bess, a former NOI member, shot Muhammad at an event in 1994. Muhammad himself believed the shooting was a part of a conspiracy against him.
In 1998 Muhammad founded the New Black Panther Party (NBPP) in response to the murder of James Byrd in Jasper, TX. This group is well known for their vehement public appearances and school board disruptions. While several groups have called for "the right to self-determination" and even separatism, some believe that the NBPP's provocative brand of Black nationalism undermines other civil rights efforts. The NBPP has been denounced by many of the original Black Panthers, who successfully sued the group in an effort to prevent them from using the Panther name. [1] (http://www.lubbockonline.com/news/051897/group.htm) This same year, Muhammad organized the Million Youth March in Harlem in which 6,000 people participated. The march was called to protest police brutality. It featured a range of speakers that called for the extermination of whites in South Africa and ended in scuffles with the police as Muhammad urged the crowd to attack the police if they attempted to take away their guns. Chairs and bottles were thrown at the police but only a few injuries were reported. On a side note, Reverend Al Sharpton appeared at this event and was criticized later for taking part in its controversial rhetoric. This became an annual event but was less popular as time progressed.
In 2000, Muhammad's beliefs were introduced to an completely new demographic when it was revealed that one of the contestants on the American television show Big Brother was formerly a member of the NBPP. In the press Muhammad even criticized the cast member, William "Will Mega" Collins (a.k.a. Hiram Ashantee), for complimenting a white woman and appearing semi-nude in a bathroom with a clothed white woman. [2] (http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/big_brother/2000_Jul_21_wills_inhouse)
Muhammad died of a brain aneurysm in Atlanta, Georgia.