Might 19 would have been the 100th birthday of El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, the person most know as Malcolm X. As such, Black of us have mirrored on the person and his legacy by going to social media and posting his image or a favourite quote.
In these fraught days, one submit stands out: A speech that Malcolm delivered to younger individuals in Mississippi in 1964.
“One of many first issues I believe younger individuals, particularly these days, ought to be taught is the best way to see for your self and hear for your self and assume for your self. Then you may come to an clever determination for your self.”
On this speech, Malcolm is speaking to younger individuals as a result of, all through his life, he had a ardour for educating younger Black women and men. He understood that it could be their job to proceed the combat in opposition to white supremacy after he was gone.
If he might take a look at what is occurring at this time, there isn’t a doubt that Malcolm would really feel deep disappointment. Not with the present technology, however as an alternative with these of us who’ve raised them. There’s a complete technology of Black children who haven’t been raised to be pleased with their tradition. Many Black mother and father have been so centered on giving their youngsters a greater life that they forgot to show them Black satisfaction.
What’s worse is that there are not any Black leaders for these children to look as much as. Malcolm and Martin Luther King, Jr, so all we’ve got left are Black politicians who are sometimes disingenuous and merely giving speaking factors that they hope will assist additional their profession.
Then there are the Black celebrities who discuss a superb recreation, however can’t be trusted.
We’d like real Black leaders now greater than we’ve got in a long time. Not politicians who will placed on a superb present, however individuals who deeply love Black of us and are keen to boldly and fearlessly inform the reality about what is occurring to our neighborhood. That is no small activity. It is not going to convey you fame and fortune. It is not going to get you elected. Actually, it would get you killed.
Blackness is beneath assault. Those that have vowed to guard and serve are killing us within the streets with impunity. In case you take a look at what’s on the prime of the billboard charts, it’s clear that America loves Black tradition. However it appears like this nation despises Black individuals.
We have to train our youngsters to be pleased with Black tradition. To take satisfaction within the issues our individuals have been by way of and overcome. We should train them to not blindly search fame or fortune, however to work for the betterment of all individuals whose pores and skin is kissed by the solar.
Let the reminiscence of Malcolm X remind us to show the subsequent technology their historical past. As a result of if we don’t do it, nobody will.