May 19, 1925 - February 21, 1965
Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain - and we will smile. Many will say turn away - away from this man, for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man - and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate - a fanatic, a racist - who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them : Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him.
~ Ossie Davis, February 27, 1965
9 comments:
Sup:
My only memories as a child of Malcolm X were the LIMITED materials that they had in schoolbooks - schoolbooks that only showed him standing by a window with a rifle in his hand. I only knew that he was a Muslim, that he was assassinated, but he was never honored and regarding in the manner that King was, and is.
It is now that we know why the rifle was in his hand, and why he was standing at the window.
Malcolm, as Ossie Said it so well, is our legendary manhood, a man who stood tall and talked about the elephant in the room before it was proper, or even safe to do so. A strong black men in an era where being as such could cost you your life.
He is definitely a hero of mines. I only wish that I could have known him outside of "The Autobiography of Malcolm X", and the movie, "Malcolm X".
Thank you for showing him supa love.
Supa thanks for the reminder. I don't know if I am on a forced hiatus or what, but I have been away from so much of what I championed over the years--our history. Maybe I grew tired and weary from fighting against such a strong wave of dissidence not to remember.
I grew up in Detroit as a Black Muslim in the early 1970's. I was too young then to understand all that was happening--the residual problems when the Nation split between the son of Elijah (Wallace) and Farrakhan that continued for so long. I remember going to school in the morning, selling Muhammad Speaks in the afternoon, and all the strict dietary and hygiene regiments. I have no regrets for my experience in the Nation (it will always be a strong part of my history). In the early 1980's I reflected on my life and did a lot of reading about those times, and I was shocked to see the behind the scenes look at all the strife and separation that occurred while I was a member. We had a strong impact on the city with our own schools, grocery, book stores, restaurants etc...I also recall the stigma that the Detroit public school placed on us when we returned (sending me back two grades from the 6th to the 4th when I was way smarter than their 7th graders). If not for the love of Ms Mills' my homeroom teacher who fought for me, sending my test scores to the superintendent or whatever I would have remained two grades behind. We were able to fight through some of the bureaucracy (hate)and regain one of the grades. Oh I'm side tracking here...anyways I respect Malcolm for his courage to see with his heart and spirit and not allow politics to sway his walk. You cannot grow physically or spiritually with limitations. When I published my first book: As the World Burns, I mentioned the importance of not being a crowd follower and following what's in the heart for I, too, saw a conflict within me and wanted to feel alive. I long to have that kind of commitment in life that Malcolm demonstrated--I am so lazy in comparison.
So glad somebody remembered-most bloggers dont care -glad u do -thats why i visit here each week
As always, I'm a damn day late!
But: Thank goodness for our shining black princes & they still shine on. Just beautiful, Supa.
damn i'm late again....thanks for the reminder..we will never forget X
Supa:
Indeed, we must never forget Malcolm. His struggle is still being fought.
BklynAKA
Thanks for recognizing this dream. I cannot believe he only graced the earth for 40 years.
I am still convinced that if he were still alive that black Americans would be drastically different.
He had the answers to so many social ills with out people and America in general.
Dayum.
El Hajj Malik Shabazz a man amongst men for sure!
I had the pleasure of meeting his widow before she met her untimely demise. I must say her sadness was prevailing. I cannot imagine what it must have been like for her to meet and marry the man of her dreams, the hope of our people and then to lose him!
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