Today is Malcolm X’s birthday and he would have been 84 years old had he lived (h/t @james3neal via Twitter, image from here ). The lack of national attention accorded to Malcolm Shabazz is a rather shocking given his historical significance, though I suppose not that surprising given the white racial frame which predominates the agenda-setting in the U.S.
Malcolm’s significance has grown since his assassination in 1965, and today his “by any means necessary” stance has in many ways eclipsed the philosophy of non-violence of Martin Luther King, Jr. as the touchstone figure for black culture and political life. Yet, it would be a mistake to place too much emphasis on the distance between Malcolm and Martin. For a thorough analysis of the intricacies of that relationship, see James Cone’s book, Martin & Malcolm & America. Both Martin and Malcolm were far more radical and had far more in common, especially toward the end of their lives, that most people realize. Both Malcolm and Martin were highly critical of the U.S. military involvement in Vietnam. And, where Martin was organizing sanitation workers recognizing the importance of class oppression to the struggle for racial equality, Malcolm emphasized the parallels between the African-American struggle for equality and the Asian, Latino, and African campaigns against European colonialism.
For those unfamiliar with his early days, consider the following:
If one had to select one historical personality within the period 1940 to 1975 who best represented and reflected black urban life, politics, and culture in the United States, it would be extremely difficult to find someone more central than the charismatic figure of Malcolm X/El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, in 1925, and growing up in the Midwest, young Malcolm Little was the child of political activists who supported the militant black nationalist movement of Marcus Garvey. After his father’s violent death and his mother’s subsequent institutionalization due to mental illness, Little was placed in foster care and for a time in a youth detention facility. “
This short excerpt speaks I think to the reality of life for so many young, black and brown men in today’s United States. For those that know the rest of the story, of course, Malcolm Little became Malcolm X in prison where he was radicalized through reading. He converted to Islam and after his pilgrimage to Mecca came back as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
The excerpt above comes from “The Malcolm X Project” at Columbia University, which is a rich, online, treasure trove of information about Malcolm. The Project includes an extensive multimedia collection with archival audio and video of Malcolm and scholarly experts. On this, Malcolm’s birthday, go explore this amazing resource and share it with someone else!
Another great post! And I don’t have a song for Malcolm…. If somebody else does, I hope they would put it up. But to compliment the main post (and probably in the multimedia collection noted above) is a brief clip I’m sure he would rather have replicated than a song…. Here’s a little something for anybody interested (and it’s silent for a few moments before sound comes up):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgqIek2TYvg
I may be wrong–Jessie, you probably know more about this than I do–but I believe the Schomberg Center in Harlem has an exhibit dedicated to Malcolm X? That could be another NYC resource for those interested. And Cone’s “Martin and Malcolm” book is exceptional, essential reading for anyone seeking more than a passing familiarity with these two influential figures.
Hey there SiTX, Adia! Thanks for your comments. ~ You sent me looking for a Malcolm X collection at the Schomburg, Adia and I couldn’t find one after a quick look online. The Schomburg does have a rather fabulous online digital collection, including one on Harlem, 1900-1940 – but it’s actually hosted on a server at U. of Michigan. :::shrugs::: Anyway, the Schomburg is wonderful, don’t know what they have on Brother Malcolm.
Thanks for honoring Malcolm on his birthday and for the further link above! Most awesome.
I just have to pass on a quote from a friend whose internet shy and he says, “We aren’t in 2009, we’re just in an updated 40’s, that’s all.” Seemed like a very appropriate place to share.
Anyway, thank you again.
I quickly wanted to add this short video on a highway patrol pulling over an ambulance taking a Black mother to the hospital and her son with her…but wasn’t sure where to put it…this seemed like an appropriate place:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KluItc365hU&feature=popular
Another link I did not know where to post on Obama’s speech to Middle East. I realize many are probably aware and there are better articles, etc. But while it can be criticized from so many different angles both here and abroad–it’s still very, very important. A brief article on it:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090604/ap_on_re_mi_ea/obama