MALCOLM X
May 19 1925 - Feb 21 1965
Today [21.02.03] marks the 38th anniversary of the death of
Malcolm X. Let's remember this great revolutionary
today, whose life story, personal example, piercing
logic, and fiery speeches have had life-transforming
effects on so many of us, and continue to inspire.
"It is impossible for capitalism to survive, primarily because the system
of capitalism need some blood to suck....It used to be strong enough to go
and suck anybody's blood whether they were strong or not. But now it has
become more cowardly, like the vulture, and it can only suck the blood of
the helpless. As the nations of the world free themselves, then capitalism
has fewer victims, less to suck, and it becomes weaker and weaker. It is
only a matter of time in my opinion before it will collapse
completely"
- Jan. 18, 1965 interview
Malcolm X's teachings are valid today
21.02.03 is the anniversary of the assination of Malcolm X,
one of the greatest fighters every for social justice, first
of all for Black people, and beyond that for all people.
As always, the best way to understand Malcolm X
is to listen to him explaining them in his own words.
There have been important changes in the world in
the intervening decades, but his ideas, teachings
and ways of looking at life retain their validity today.
It might be best to listen to the final speech
which is easily available on the internet: the talk he
gave in Detroit, Michigan February 14, 1965. This
and many other speeches are available at
brothermalcolm.net
Malcolm continues teaching and educating all who
are open to looking past our diseducation system,
such as Gil Scott-Heron who wrote this about him: gilscottheron.com
If Malcolm were with us today I'm sure he'd be one
of the first to protest against the arrest of Professor
Sami Al-Arian yesterday in Florida - internationalanswer.org
Historian Robin D.G. Kelley wrote this entry for the
Encyclopedia Africana which is available at africana.com
Malcolm's image continues to inspire those fighting
for a better world. Most recently, at the world-wide
anti-war mobilizations, International A.N.S.W.E.R.
used Malcolm's image on T-shirts and posters so
he continues to be active in today's struggle. See
a photo of the poster at www.walterlippmann.com
Malcolm's speeches are in print via Pathfinder
Pacifica Radio's DEMOCRACY NOW is featuring
a segment today with excerpts from his famous
THE BALLOT OR THE BULLET. Pacifica is also
offering a six-CD set of speeches, mostly by him,
for a $175.00 contribution to its fund drive. Since
Pacifica is the only place on the radio dial where
we can hear the words of Malcolm X broadcast
now, this package, while expensive in itelf, is at
the same time a fine contribution to this extremely
valuable alternative news source.
Malcolm X PRESENTE!
- WALTER LIPPMANN
"The others were discussing the past or the future, or a country which may
once have existed, or one which may yet be brought into existence--Malcolm
was speaking of the bitter and unanswerable present. And it was
too important that this be heard for anyoen to attempt to soften it. It was
important, of course, for white people to hear it, if they were still able
to hear; but it was of the utmost importance for black people to hear it,
for the sake of their morale. It was important for them to know that there
was someone like them in public life, telling the truth about their
condition.
"Malcolm considered himself to be the spiritual property of the people who
produced him. He did not consider himself to be their savior, he was far
too modest for that, and gave that role to another; but he considered
himself to be their servant and, in order not to betray that trust, he was
willing to die, and died.
"Malcolm was not a racist, not even when he thought he was. His
intelligence was far too complex than that; furthermore, if he had been a
racist, not many in this racist country would have considered him
dangerous. He would have sounded familiaar and even comforting, his
familiar rage confirming the reality of white power, and sensuously
inflaming a bizarre species of guilty eroticism without which, I am
beginning to believe, most white Americans of the more or less liberal
persuasion cannot draw a single breath.
"What made him unfamiliar and dangerous was not his hatred for white people
but his love for blacks, his apprehension of the horror of the black
condision and the reasons for it, and his determination so to work on
their hearts and minds that they would be enabled to see their condition
and change it themselves."
- James Baldwin, from a 1972 essay (reproduced in Malcolm X: As They Knew
Him, ed. David Gallen, 1992)
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