A speech given by the leader of the Nation of Islam has inspired some SIUC students to work toward breaking down communication barriers between cultures, SIUC Black Think Tank members say.

Black Think Tank members traveled to Chicago last weekend to attend the National African American Leadership Summit which featured a speech given by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

Farrakhan spoke on Sunday about his Middle Eastern and African tour, Anthony Muhammad, president of the Black Think Tank, said.

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Minister Farrakhan called focus to human rights and the fact that all people are suffering all over the planet, Muhammad said. He wants African Americans to realize that the problem with the world is bigger than just the black struggle. It’s a human struggle.

Lorenzo Henderson, chairman of the Black Think Tank Political Action Committee, said he gained insight from Farrakhan’s speech. He said he realized the importance of bridging the gap between blacks in America and blacks in other countries.

This is definitely needed because lessons can be learned from them, he said. And combined, we can accomplish more widespread improvements.

Henderson said he thinks the most progressive idea Farrakhan spoke of was the notion of empowering oneself. He said with the political and economic improvement of the black nation in America, the number of crimes and the number of people on welfare in the United States would be reduced.

If the black community can become more self-supportive, it would remove the burden from all of America and strengthen American society, Henderson said.

As for the rest of the summit, Muhammad said urging local organizing committees to work together to collectively make things happen was emphasized.

He said the Black Think Tank is ready to improve awareness within the local community by strengthening relations within the community.

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Muhammad said one way to strengthen relations is to break down barriers and open doors of communication between individuals and organizations locally, nationally and internationally.

Muhammad said dialogue needs to be set up to break down these barriers. He said a lack of communication and misunderstanding is at the root of many of the world’s problems.

Henderson said a meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 26 to initiate communication between SIUC students, administrators and faculty to begin improving race relations on campus, within the community and abroad.