Crowds are expected to turn out at the National Sports Centre tonight to hear Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan speak. A controversial figure by any account, he's known for his divisive comments. Yet with 2009 declared by the United Nations as the Year of Reconciliation, members of the Emperial Group thought it fitting to host an event promoting unity between the races and invite Minister Farrakhan to give the address.

Peace, healing and unity are said to be the thrust of a speech to be presented by Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan tonight.

Eugene Dean, a member of the Emperial Group, organised Minister Farrakhan's appearance at the National Sports Centre.

According to Mr. Dean, the Minister has followed local events since he was last in Bermuda in 1998 and expressed "real interest in coming and speaking".

"He has evolved and his message is really about unification," he stated.

"And at this time in Bermuda when our racial divide has grown, and the negative social behaviour is constantly increasing, we need to come together in support of positive change.

"The Minister has a track record of going into high-risk or hard-core areas and helping to get beyond differences.

"The idea is that we will be able to utilise his skills in that area to bring healing to some of the wounds that have been created."

The Minister's hope is to positively impact young people on the Island.

Said Mr. Dean "Just like in any situation, if we have challenges with our young people, then as adults or as leaders we have to take responsibility for the role we play in what is happening, because a society is just a reflection of its leadership.

"And for this reason the Minister would also like to address the political leaders, the religious leaders, the business leaders and people in education [on] the challenges that we are facing with our youth."

His hope is that the healing will then start, Mr. Dean added.

"[We hope it will] put us in a space where we can start to effect positive change and really be able to penetrate all the different areas <\!m> whether it be in the street, whether it be with our leadership <\!m> during this time to work together healing wounds and bringing our community together."

Persons familiar with Minister Farrakhan's more controversial messages might find this hard to swallow.

Asked what he would say to them, Mr. Dean responded: "To the doubters, we would say that we are not naïve to the fact that the minister is a controversial figure, change is something that is always happening and in that regard, his message has changed.

"It is a different time, so maybe the fire that people have seen in him during different periods is not appropriate for the purpose of this mission or the space that this country is in. He has a personal connection to Bermuda, as he has family here <\!m> his grandmother and he has been following the media in Bermuda

"He knows that right now we need healing. Right now we need peace of mind, we need calm. In light of that, he is coming with a very humble spirit and he is really coming to give and to work, so it is a really positive thing and so far in our communications with him, we have all been on the same page.

"[The Emperial Group's] theme has always been 'unity in the community'. Our mantra is 'fighting with peace and not for it'. So this event, just like any other event that we are dealing with, is coming in that spirit."

Mr. Dean added: "In light of everything that is happening in this country today we really all need to come together, the entire community, for the message that the minister is bringing.

"We recognise that should we all come together to hear it, we will all be energised and uplifted and feel a sense of common purpose that would enable us to create the environment to really effect positive change. It is really an excellent opportunity."

Asked how Minister Farrakhan's visit could effect lasting change, Mr. Dean said: "This is why the whole country needs to come together to hear the message. It is not just about the time that he is here, it is looking forward to after.

"This is another reason that he is not just coming in and out. We are having the public event, but then we will go into the neighbourhoods to speak with the youth. Not just to talk to them, but to speak with them and to get a real understanding of where they are and what their challenges are. We want to utilise his ability to help them to get beyond their differences.

"Like I said, it is a real positive opportunity. Our young people are far more intelligent than we give them credit for. They too tend to carry a dissatisfaction for what they see before them in terms of the adult population.

"There is a genuine disconnect and, for the most part, very few people are willing to deal with our young people. It's more like you go over there, and as long as I don't see you, you are not a problem to me. And that is why I am saying we need to spend more time with our young people."

That disconnect is evident even in simple things, he stated.

"Nowadays when we have concerts it is either an over-40s or over-30s event, or it is all just young people. I remember when I went to concerts, my uncles were there, my older cousins, my parents or my friends' parents. You were coming into an environment where you were being monitored or mentored to be in order.

"Now our young people find themselves in environments where it is just the young people amongst themselves. So it amounts to the blind leading the blind."

He added: "There are some things that we have got into a habit of dealing with that are constantly contributing to worsening our situation. It is important for the minister to speak to our young people. It is important for the minister to speak to the entire community and it is of utmost importance for the minister to speak with the leadership, because it is only together that we can really comprehensively address the situation.

"So I just pray that people can see this for what it is, recognise the merit within it and give their full support to something that has the potential of effecting real positive change in our country <\!m> all the negativity is impacting everybody."

Bermuda's race relations will not improve unless the Island's leaders lead the way, Mr. Dean insisted.

"The racial divide has really been polarised and we have started to move backwards. We need to quickly arrest that scenario and get back on track and moving things forward.

"It is very important that we become progressive, because mentally it becomes very taxing for people because our minds have become consumed with negativity versus positive thoughts.

"People trusted that we were moving in a positive direction and on the verge of positive change and there was a level of excitement and anticipation, but now that has been followed by disillusionment, so it is going to take some time to heal that trust again for people to relax.

"It is almost like people have taken up arms <\!m> some have literally taken up arms and are shooting each other. But even those of us who are not carrying physical weapons have really put up our defences and that needs to be relaxed, so we can get into a more positive space.

"So hopefully we can get people to attend. It is a free event. Gates open at 5.30 p.m. There will be some entertainment beforehand but the event itself starts at 7 p.m."