Remembering Malcolm X
> Remembering Malcolm X
> Posted by: "Junious Ricardo Stanton"
> [email protected]
> Mon May 19, 2008 8:10 am (PDT)
>
> *From The Ramparts*
> Junious Ricardo Stanton
> *Remembering Malcolm X*
>
> / "You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace
> unless he has his freedom. " /Malcolm X
>
> It is right and proper to pause and remember the life, legacy and works
> of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz also known as Malcolm X on his natal day.
> His dedication and sacrifice for the upliftment and liberation of our
> people are exemplary. Malcolm Little aka "Red" aka Malcolm X aka EL Hajj
> Malik El Shabazz is a shining example of transformation, personal
> redemption, true manhood, integrity and courage in an age of wholesale
> emasculation, cowardice, mindless treacherous self-negation. Many of us
> are familiar with his story, how he was born into a family who were
> supporters of the Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey. His father Earl Little
> was a fiery and courageous preacher who was an organizer for the UNIA.
> His father died under mysterious circumstances which left a gaping hole
> in the family structure. Malcolm..s mother who was suddenly forced to
> raise her family without the support of her murdered husband suffered a
> nervous breakdown and was institutionalized. The family was scattered,
> forced to live in foster homes and with relatives. Young Malcolm was
> naturally bright but his intellect was not nurtured in the white schools
> he attended in Michigan. Like many black boys, then and now, his white
> teachers discouraged him and deliberately attempted to crush his spirit
> and frustrate his dreams of becoming a lawyer.
> Eventually Malcolm left the Mid-West and went to stay with a half sister
> in the Boston area where he fell into the thug life which landed him in
> jail. While incarcerated, Malcolm was introduced to the teachings of the
> Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. Malcolm was accepted
> into the organization and began training in its doctrines and
> philosophy. His mental agility and love of earning helped him grow and
> demonstrate his natural leadership skills which were soon recognized
> within the NOI . Malcolm went on to become one of the NOI..s top
> organizers and recruiter and eventually became the national spokesman
> for Mr Muhammad and the Nation of Islam. As subsequent rift with the
> Nation lead to his suspension and eventual departure from the NOI.
> Nevertheless, Malcolm used that situation to expand his horizons and
> offer a broader message of liberation, political engagement and global
> awareness. Once out from under the constraints of the Nation of Islam
> and their parochial message Malcolm attempted to link up with world
> leaders in an effort to bring the United States before the World Court
> for its crimes against Africans in America and its imperialist and
> genocidal policies around the world. His activities caused the US
> government much concern and so he was "neutralized" to use their
> language in a futile effort to halt the rise of African consciousness
> and liberation.
> Malcolm X was the catalyst for a much more militant and global response
> to European colonialism and AmeriKKKan oppression. His speeches and his
> fearlessness were a beacon showing the way to manhood to a new
> generation of Blacks. Hence the plutocrats to exploited ideological
> differences between Malcolm and the NOI and use it as a cover for his
> assassination. They killed Malcolm but not the movement he ignited.
> Malcolm was the direct progenitor of the Black Power, Black Arts, Black
> Consciousness and Pan-African movements still alive today. Despite his
> assassination and the vicious counter insurgency activities of the US
> government like COINTELPRO, Operation CHAOS and the militarization of
> local police these movements still percolate within our consciousness.
> Malcolm..s words are just as relevant today as they were in the mid ..60's
> mainly because our enemies are just as psychopathic and lethal , some
> might say even more so than they were then.
> Regarding US imperialism and oppression which is just as rampant today
> in Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and threatens to erupt in Iran,
> Syria and Lebanon as it was in Southeast Asia in the ..60's Malcolm said,
> "The same rebellion, the same impatience, the same anger that exists in
> the hearts of the dark people in Africa and Asia is existing in the
> hearts and minds of 20 million black people in this country who have
> been just as thoroughly colonized as the people in Africa and Asia."
> Malcolm put our struggle in global context and this unnerved the ruling
> oligarchy. We have to familiarize ourselves with his message today
> because it; just like Martin Luther King..s latter speeches makes the
> link between domestic violence and oppression here and the dastardly
> deeds the US government is doing overseas on behalf of their corporate
> masters. The system has neither repented nor reformed in the thirty
> three years since Malcolm..s murder. It has gotten worse.
> Speaking of the system, just as Malcolm astutely revealed the weaknesses
> of the Civil Rights movement versus a genuine human rights struggle; I..m
> sure if he were alive today he would point out the blatant
> contradictions of Barack Obama..s candidacy. Malcolm was an
> uncompromising champion of truth and freedom. He knew the US system was
> throughly corrupt which is why he talked about revolution. In his "The
> Ballot or The Bullet" speech he outlined the options, true reform or
> revolution. Given the stranglehold the corporate elites have on the
> government today, humane reform appears unlikely.
> What are our options? Do we have any viable choices? Our options appear
> to be limited to: continuing the insanity, the delusion of inclusion or
> going into serious survival mode based upon race first, ethnocentric
> organization, mobilization and actualization of our innate genius,
> resources and energies. Once we do this we can begin providing for our
> own protection, security, food, commerce and necessities. This was the
> same message of Booker T Washington, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Noble Drew
> Ali, Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X. It is fitting on his natal day we
> revisit Malcolm..s message and rededicate ourselves to bringing it into
> fruition.
see also:
http://weallbe.blogspot.com/2007/02/...f-and-thy.html
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