By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
By Gloria DULAN-Wilson
Hello All1
Well, in case you missed it, today is May 19, 2025 - it is the 100th Birthday Anniversary of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz - better known as MALCOLM X!
And the world is poised to celebrate the memory of Our Shining Black Prince, who was assassinated brutally in front of his followers, wife and children, while addressing a small group of Black People in the Audubon Ballroom in the Washington Heights section of Harlem.
Brother Malcolm's image and influence on the Black community is as strong as when he first emerged from prison as a follower of Elijah Muhammad. His words of wisdom still resonate with us though he was assassinated 60 years ago while trying to wake Black people up and take the chain off their brains.
It was a pivotal time in Black History. We were in the middle of the Civil Rights Movement, the Militant Movement, and the Student Nonviolent Movement. The caucasoids were trying to pit the Muslims (considered militant) against the Civil Rights (NAACP, SCLC, etc) and the Student NonViolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) which was on the brink of moving to the more aggressive side of Black Power. Caucasoids were escalating their aggressions against Black people regardless of which bin they fell into. They were looking to drive a wedge or intimidate us into silence; or buy of those who were on the periphery of becoming Black or staying "negro."
Malcolm X was not intimidated by their threats. He was also no longer easy to propagandize with buzz words. He had been to Mecca, achieved his Hajj, and was beginning to move into another direction which would have had powerful consequences for Black people in the US.
Though I never had the pleasure of meeting
Minister Malcolm, I have had the pleasure of getting to know his widow,
Soror Betty Shabazz (who was a member of the New York Alumni Chapter of
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority). We had many a wonderful conversation
during those wonderful years - about her daughters (there were six of
them - including the twins); Sorority Business, getting better programs
for students at Medgar Evers College, and so many other wonderful
interactions. I even had the pleasure of doing a one-on-one interview
with Soror Shabazz when the meanstream media tried to draw a wedge
between her and Minister Louis Farrakhan.
I have had the pleasure of knowing two of his six daughters - Ilyasah Shabazz and Malaak Shabazz - each of them carrying many of the positive spirits and traits of both their parents. Ive met Attilah several times - very briefly - but probably not so much that she would ever remember me.
In commemoration of this wonderful brother - their dad - I must salute his heroism and his humanity. I know that he is our ICON, but he was the dad they needed who was snatched away from them via a form of violence that is the true underbelly of what this nation is truly about.
Many of my contemporaries have never read the Autobiography of Malcolm X (as told to Alex Haley - author of ROOTS). I strongly suggest you get a copy and read it through and through. Also Spike Lee's movie is quite revealing - MALCOLM X - released in 1992. We should not just commemorate this wonderful brother, we should update our knowledge of who he was/is and what he did/does for us as Black people.
I am sending up a Happy Heavenly/MECCA 100 BIRTHDAY to our SHINING BLACK PRINCE
BROTHER MALCOLM X - May his star and influence always shine true - and may we learn the lessons he tried to impart to us during his short time among us.
NOW THAT YOU KNOW
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
