Hate Crime Commission Fosters Hate

Another member of the Illinois Hate Crime commission resigns, citing the anti-Semitic remarks of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, and the failure of a fellow commissioner and Nation of Islam member to disavow them. Sun Times story here. Earlier posts here and here.

And Governor Blagojevich continues to duck on the issue, after his initial claim of ignorance that a Nation of Islam member was on the commission, and then his remark that he does not believe in "guilt by association".

This turns one of the lessons of McCarthyism on its head. By this standard even top officials of an organization can absolve themselves of responsibility of the remarks of their leader, and claim discrimination and victimhood themselves, as Ms. Muhammad has. AP:

During her radio appearance, Muhammad said she and her family have been victims of hate crimes and discrimination. She also said she has Jewish family members, has traveled to Israel and has worshipped in Jewish synagogues.

“Please know I am not the victimizer here, OK, but instead I am the victim,” she said.

Claudette Marie Muhammad, Farrakhan's minister of protocol and a top aide, needs to either resign from the Nation of Islam, or resign from the governor's commission:

Farrakhan's chief of staff, who serves as an informal adviser along with other city ministers to Chicago Police Supt. Phil Cline, told radio listeners that the Nation of Islam forgave the people who quit the governor's commission. "You left out of confusion. You misunderstand what the commission is all about. Come back to the commission and debate your point,'' Leonard Muhammad told the departed panel members.

Later, he issued a stronger challenge. "They need to come back or shut up,'' he said.

"And leave me alone,'' Claudette Muhammad chimed in.

The governor needs to ask her to step down.