Malcolm X - A Man of Conscience, Courage and Conviction
As you know, February is Black History Month in America. A couple of weeks ago on my blog, we celebrated the birthday of Civil Rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Click here to read that blog.)
Now I would like to celebrate the life of another of my personal heroes, the late, great Malcolm X.
Although the anniversary of Malcolm's assassination was 21 February, I intentionally waited until after that day to write about him. I don't want to celebrate his death, but his life - and his legacy. He was strong, courageous and never hesitated to evolve and grow and become wiser, even when it meant stepping out of his "comfort zone" and making other folks, including the FBI and his former colleagues from the Nation of Islam, "uncomfortable." He was willing to risk death, if necessary, to do and say what he felt was right. In the end, he strongly advocated putting aside blind hatred and seeking a brotherhood among peoples. Once the greatest pessimist, he came to inspire great hope. And his autobiography (co-authored with Alex Haley) is essential reading for not only every American, but for all people everywhere. When I read it as a high school senior, it opened my eyes and changed my life.
In honor of Malcolm, I have added to my crisischronicles free online library a stirring letter he wrote to his followers in Harlem after he "converted" to mainstream Islam and made his pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964, less than a year before his death. Please click here to read this powerful letter from Malcolm. I believe his words are every bit as important today as they were then.
You might also enjoy this short video, featuring words from Ossie Davis' eulogy for Malcolm:
Hey brother this is a great tribute to a man of love faith and understanding! he is a true inspiration in life and after. more people should be as couragous as this man! excellent blog
LIVE, LOVE, RESPECT
JOSH
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Thank you, Josh. I'm grateful for your comment.
Malcolm once said, "You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
Let us continue to strive for peace and freedom for all.
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i too chose to celebrate lives over deaths. malcolm x is also one of my heroes.
somehow both of these songs seems fitting:
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Fear-Of-A-Black-Planet-lyrics-Public-Enemy/126D5A46ADDFB815482568A400053070
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Tribute-To-The-Martyrs-lyrics-Steel-Pulse/93C893AA0936281848256CD30013B99D
the video is great. ossie was a great orator, and the eulogy is perfect.
salaam.
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Thank you, Meribeth! Love the songs....
I was just listening to Public Enemy's "Louder Than a Bomb," which mentions Malcolm - and its title seems to sum the man up as well as any four words can.
Here's another great Malcolm quotation: "The future belongs to those who prepare for it today."
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I just read Malcom's letter from the Hajj. I felt exactly the same way in Morocco where I also saw all the races in that Islamic country treated equally and marveled at the contrast to our country. Reading Malcom's words after hearing Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton debate tonight I realize how far we have come in this country since Malcom X lived and suffered from the racism here. It is fading fast and I am delighted that it isn't just tolerance any more but actual acceptance of a black candidate for president with open arms. I watched the debate and heard the ending where Barack and Hillary declared they shared a mutual respect and friendship and shook hands. I really feel that together they would make a wonderful team. I think Malcom X would be proud to have seen this night in Austin, Texas. I have high hopes for the future of our country Peace to everyone. We shall overcome and not some day but now. Insh'Allah
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I would just like to add here a website that was constructed by Marc Shepard, my son who has recorded a group from Senegal and think you might be interested in seeing this:
http://www.princesoffuta.com
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Cool... I enjoy his blog and music, but hadn't yet seen this site. I appreciate you sharing it with us.
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We've come a long way, baby! Still have a long way to go as well... But Dr. King and brother Malcolm would be encouraged to see recent developments. Thank you, Elena!
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All my life I have been involved with civil rights and know many outstanding African Americans, too many to write about here. One was president of a large university in Chicago, several have been professors and writers here in Oberlin, my husband was head of a group of black honor students at Oberlin and
I know so many talented people in this world who are either Hipanics or African Americans. My son wrote a biography of Earl Dickerson, a lawyer and famous for his Civil Rights case in the Supreme Court on integrating white neigborhoods in Chicago. So I am very glad to see the changes taking place with Obama winning so many primaries all over the country. There will be changes taking place. So I am glad you posted this blog on Malcolm X, an outstanding human being. He will go down in history.
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Perhaps Barack Obama will one day be on the top list for Black History Month.
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They used to praise Bill Clinton as "the first Black president."
Regardless of color, Bill was the first President ever to turn a huge deficit into a huge surplus. Many of the folks clamoring for change seem to forget that some of the change we could use is not only a change to something NEW but also a change BACK to something damn good that preceded Bush. I hope Barack can get us back into the black fiscally (pardon the pun) like Clinton did.
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"Back in black
I hit the sack
I've been too long I'm glad to be back"
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"Yes I've cut loose
From the noose
That kept me hanging around."
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or this
http://youtube.com/watch?v=IVSGsdCVxmc
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