To the Editor:

Minister Louis Farrakhan may insist that he is not an anti-Semite and a racist, but make no mistake, his legacy of hate has not diminished ("Nation of Islam At a Crossroad As Leader Exits," Feb. 26).

Before concluding his speech in Detroit, Mr. Farrakhan urged his followers to "become readers" and recommended a series of virulently anti-Semitic books, including "Secrets of the Federal Reserve" by Eustace Mullins, a conspiracy theory propagandist who accuses Jews of controlling the banks, and "The Secret Relationship Between Blacks and Jews," which has long been sold at Nation of Islam events and claims that Jews played a role in the African slave trade.

It is a shame that Mr. Farrakhan has missed yet another opportunity to change his legacy and to reject the racism and anti-Semitism that has tainted his leadership.