Happy Birthday Malcolm X

"You show me a capitalist, and I'll show you a bloodsucker."
Malcolm X


El Hajj Malik el Shabazz, more commonly known as Malcolm X was born May 19, 1925. Had he not been assassinated February 21, 1965, he would be 84 years old today.

Five books about Malcolm X The Autobiography of Malcolm X By Alex Haley Malcolm Speaks: selected speeches and statements By George Breitman Malcolm X: the man and his times By John Henrik Clarke, A. Peter Bailey, Earl Grant Malcolm X: The FBI File By Clayborne Carson, David Gallen, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation The Last Year of Malcolm X: The Evolution of a Revolutionary By George Breitman

Malcolm taught us many things in his life and from his life. From his advocacy for Black pride and Black power to our people gaining improved self-images; economic development, honoring women, becoming moral and spiritual beings, Pan-Africanism and more.

Most importantly, Malcolm taught us about real change; the power of transformation, as exhibited by his life.

After having his dreams crushed in an oppressive system, he turned to the streets. After hustling for years, he was imprisoned. In prison, began following the teaches of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and upon his release in the early 1950s, he became his most outspoken student minister.

A decade later, he split from the Nation of Islam (NOI) and adopted orthodox Islam. Upon returning from Hajj (pilgrimage) in Mecca, his views on race relations in America changed. He never had the opportunity to build his new organization (Organization of African American Unity)-modeled after Africa's OAU, but his speeches give us a wealth and knowledge of his ever evolving philosophy.

Today, Peralta Colleges students have a school holiday, or a day off for Malcolm X's birthday. Instead of taking the day off, use this day to learn more about our people and work for our mental liberation.

Here are some famous quotes from Malcolm.
Freedom

• "You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
• "Any kind of movement for freedom of Black people based solely within the confines of America is absolutely doomed to fail."

Justice

• "Time is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. Truth is on the side of the oppressed today, it's against the oppressor. You don't need anything else."
• "Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery."

Equality

• "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."
• "Sitting at the table doesn't make you a diner, unless you eat some of what's on that plate. Being here in America doesn't make you an American. Being born here in America doesn't make you an American."

What did Malcolm X teach you?

Posted in: history