Islam For Latino Interview with the National Latino Minister 
Black and Latino Unity focus of UTEP forum
By William Muhammad
El Paso, Texas-Unity of the Black and Latino was the focus of a recently Held forum on "Latino and Black Political Destinies" Held at the University of Texas At El Paso (UTEP), during the final days of the university's Hispanic Heritage Celebration.
"History connects us to the springs, motives and occurrences that produced us, and spirituality gives us the ability to learn it's lessons without egotistical perceptions," said Min. Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad, National Latin American representative of Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Nation Of Islam in an interview after his presentation. "Such is the conduit toward transcending to higher levels of social, economic, educational and political expressions."
Covering an array of historical accounts ranging from African slavery in Mexico to the subsequent war of independence that found indigenous Mexicans, Blacks and whites fighting for Mexico's freedom, Min. Muhammad offered the audience a new perspective on the historical relationship between Blacks and Mexicans.
"The war of (Mexican) independence claimed nearly one million casualties, many of them Afro-Mexicans," he said. "The lesson from this is that the blood of Africans fertilized Mexican soil and is still present in the Mexican bloodline. Four Presidents of Mexico were Afro-Mexican, and the repeated requests of white Americans for for the return of fugitive Black slaves living in Mexico was so repugnant to the Mexican Government and people, that the requests were denied on every occasion. We must continue, today, the tradition of a united struggle against oppression."
"I think he (Muhammad) did a major service to those who didn't know a lot about Blacks in Mexico," said Dr. Stephen K. Mubutu, associate professor of anthropology in African and African-American studies at UTEP."My impression was that he really did his homework, and it gave me a new perspective on Blacks in Mexico. Because of my professional specialization, it is something I haven't thought about often....." he said.
Dr. Dennis Bixler-Marquez, director of UTEP's Chicano Studies program, professor of multicultural studies and co-sponsor of Min. Muhammad's presentation, agreed that a united struggle along with the raising of consciousness among Hispanics and Blacks is important."Both groups already constitute the two largest minorities (in the U.S.). Unfortunately, much has been made about who is the largest minority," Mr... Bixler_Marquez said. "As if being larger by about 100,000 to 200,000 people is going to result in some type of tremendous increase in benefits."
"Hispanic and African-American communities have a number of organizations, some of which have overlapped and worked together by necessity," Mr.... Bixler-Marquez continued. "But as we get into the next millennium there needs to be better orchestration of efforts and resolutions in areas of difference...so that one group is not pitted against the other. The divide and conquer method definitely works and one has to make sure we don't fall victim to that ploy," he said.
Dr. Maceo Daily, associate professor of history at UTEP and director of the African-American studies department, said he is intrigued by young Hispanics who are members of The Nation Of Islam within the United States or the world," he said. Commenting on the need for coalition between Hispanics and African-Americans in the United States, Dr. Daily stressed the need for competent and committed leadership. "I think (Blacks and Latinos) will be finding themselves providing the leadership for the United States whether they want to or not. I don't want ot make a mystical case for it being time for people of color, but I think we must be clear about leadership that is courageous," he said.
"As I look at the world, one one would like to see more individuals of the stature of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Cesar Chavez, Russell Means and, indeed, I would also say Minister Louis Farrakhan," he said. Next year is going to offer Blacks and Latinos more challenges not only because of it being an election year, but also because it will be a new century and millennium." Min. Muhammad said. "The Honorable Louis Farrakhan's call for a Million Family March in the year 2000 would be a great opportunity for Black, Hispanic Americans and others to unite as a third political force."
Minister Robert Muhammad Southwest regional representative of the Nation Of Islam based in Houston, said Muhammad Abdullah Muhammad's visit to his region was a step in the right direction, of the Nation Of Islam's message. "Success depends upon our timely obedience to the instructions of the Honorable Louis Farrakhan, which includes galvanizing support for the Million Family March in all communities." he said.
William Muhammad is the West Texas Assistant of the Southwest Region in El Paso
