Black History Month: The Legacy of Malcolm X

"A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything."

NOTE: I intended to publish this post last Monday, but in the midst of school, soccer, and whatnot, it slipped my mind.

Monday, February 21st, marked the 46th anniversary of Malcolm X's assassination. He was shot down by assassins as he started to speak to a crowd of 400 at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. He was only 39. When I was younger, I was taught about how Martin Luther King preached of peaceful change and integration in the late 1950s and 1960s, whereas Malcolm X delivered a different message; that being that whites were not to be trusted. He called on African Americans to be proud of their heritage and to set up strong communities without the help of white Americans. He promoted the establishment of a separate state for African Americans in which they could rely on themselves to provide solutions to their own problems. Violence was not the only answer, but violence was justified in self-defense. African Americans should achieve what was rightfully theirs "by any means necessary." He was heavily influenced by his memebership to  The Nation of Islam. After leaving The Nation in 1964 and taking a pilgrimage to Mecca, his views changed. Malcolm X announced his willingness to work with leaders of the civil rights movement, though he felt that it should change its focus to human rights. So long as the movement remained a fight for civil rights, its struggle would remain a domestic issue, but by framing the struggle as a fight for human rights, it would become an international issue. Malcolm X said the emerging nations of the world would add their support to the cause of African Americans.

My fascination with the man began after I watched the Spike Lee directed "Malcolm X," with Denzel Washington playing Mr. X. Upon further readings and internet surfing, I came to realize that this man live an amazing life. Now I could give you a biography here, but I'm not going to. If you're unfamiliar, please go to Wikipedia now, then return to this page after. 

After you're all caught up, please hit the jump.

Black History Month

Yesterday was Groundhog Day. Did you remember? Probably not, because no one cares about Groundhog Day. It's one of those "holidays" ( I use this word loosely) that is completely useless. Don't you find it absolutely insane that their is an national day to watch a woodchuck go outside and observe whether or not it sees its shadow? I mean who needs weathermen when we have groundhogs? So in short, I really don't like Groundhog Day. But you know what I do like? Black History Month. And in honor of Black History Month this year, I'm going to do a few posts that include either people or pieces of work that have inspired me throughout my life. Today I'm including a piece by my favorite poet, Langston Hughes. It's one of his most famous (not to mention one of my favorite!) poems, titled I, Too Sing America. Enjoy.

I, too, sing America.

I am the darker brother.
They send me to eat in the kitchen
When company comes,
But I laugh,
And eat well,
And grow strong.

Tomorrow,
I'll be at the table
When company comes.
Nobody'll dare
Say to me,
"Eat in the kitchen,"
Then.

Besides,
They'll see how beautiful I am
And be ashamed--

I, too, am America.

Here is a great place to go if you're interested in reading more of his poems.