Today in black history, we remember, mourn and celebrate a
phenomenal civil rights leader, who lived and died for the emancipation
of black people.
Malcolm X, otherwise
known as El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz and originally named Malcolm Little
was brutally murdered 51 years ago today while speaking at an event held
at the Audubon Ballroom.
During his
lifetime, Malcolm was an outspoken and fearless critic of the American
government and the system that relegated people of colour to the
backseat.
Malcom, a former thief and pimp
reformed himself in prison. After getting out, he became an important
figure in Nation of Islam, a religious organization which had the
philosophy of black supremacy. He later became disillusioned with the
organisation and publicly denounced them. During this time, his
militant, seperationist theories faded away and he became more tolerant
of white people in his approach to the civil rights struggle. He even
expressed grudging willingness to work with Martin Luther King jnr whom
he had previously criticised for his pacifist and integrationist
approach. He became founder and leader of Organization of Afro-American
Unity and his own religious organisation, Muslim Mosque Inc.
Malcolm
distinguished himself as a powerful orator and wonderful speaker. When
he spoke, people listened. His stature and carriage commanded respect
and he could quell an angry mob with just a hand signal. He is one of
the greatest African-Americans in history and the spread of Islam
amongst the black community in the US is largely due to his influence.
Malcolm
lived and died by his beliefs. In his autobiography, he stated that he
believed he was going to come to a violent end like his father- and he
was right.
Watch him speak fearlessly about death here
He
was shot during an event at Audubon Ballroom as he was about to give a
speech. Thomas Hagan, Norman Butler and Thomas Johnson rushed to
ballroom stage and fired many gunshots at close range. Malcolm X was
pronounced dead at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. The three men were
convicted for the murder.
The public viewing of
his body from February 23–26 1965 at Unity Funeral Home, Harlem was
attended by about 30,000 mourners. The funeral itself,February 27 1965
was carried live by a local television station.
Even
though he didn't live beyond 39 years, Malcolm's legacy will outlive
him by centuries. You may disagree with some of the methods he
advocated, but his philosophy will be relevant for many years to come.
His strength, courage and bravery will inspire generations yet unborn.
He always spoke and stood up for what he believed in, and didn't cower
in the face of oppression and death threats. In an interview with New
York Times, he said “I’m a marked man. It doesn’t frighten me for
myself as long as I felt they would not hurt my family. … No one can get
out without trouble, and this thing with me will be resolved by death
and violence.”
Malcolm was one of a kind, and we could do with people more like him in the world today.
'God give us men
A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts
True faith and ready hands...'- Josiah Holland.
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