Malcolm X : NOW & THEN
Friday, February 21st was the 60th anniversary of El Haj Malik El Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X’s death. Although it has been more than half a century since he walked this earth. There are many things we could learn from his life about social and political affairs. So, SDG wanted to honor the civil rights leader and philosopher by using his life to reflect on oppressive and political tactics and issues of his time, that are still prominent today; only modernized. Whether it be race relations, economic empowerment or the tactics the elite and the government use to control the masses. Malcolm X’s philosophy and life left a blueprint to better cope and live a life of independent thought and most importantly, truth to power.
1.Media
“If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”-Malcolm X
Malcolm X spoke most vividly about the moral of the media or lack thereof. In those times, the primary media outlets were the newspaper and the news, which is a different dichotomy today. Nonetheless, He urged the public to be mindful of the power of the media and how it was used as a tool of phycological warfare to confirm and support the narrative of the elite and a catalyst in confusing the masses. This is even more prominent in today’s cancel culture and court of public opinion due to social media, which is a constant feed of content and news by citizens. Creating more media platforms than ever with less vetting sources and journalistic integrity. Nonetheless, it is easier for individuals and organizations to control narratives, assassinate individual’s characters and create less independent thought now, than ever before.
2.Black Economics:
Economical empowerment was the main philosophy of not only Malcolm X but the Nation of Islam. The honorable Elijah Muhammad was quoted in his A sound economic plan I saying, “The economic plight of the Black people of this land has so long been neglected by so-called leaders that even our own people have forgotten its basic importance”. Not much has changed since this literature was written. Although, the number of Black millionaires has increased since the 1960s. The organization of the black dollar has decreased tremendously for several reasons. One being the decrease of the Black nuclear family which is and was the main conduit of black wealth and organization of the black dollar, for example the funding of the civil rights movement. As summarized in the Moynihan report, poverty is directly connected to single parent homes. Furthermore, according to the March 2020 Current Population Survey (CPS) 48% of Black children are living in a single parent home compared to 14% in the 1960’s according to aspe.hhs.gov. In addition, Black people have an estimated 1.3 trillion gross national income but only 2% is recirculated in the Black community according to Greenwood.com 2020 report. When before de-segregation the black dollar remained in the Black community much longer.
3. The most disrespected person in America, is the Black woman. The most un-protected person in America is the Black woman. The most neglected person in America, is the Black woman. - Malcolm x
Before the current rise of missing black girls, Malcolm X spoke about the safety and wellbeing of the black women and the importance of their protection that often goes uninvestigated and unsolved .According to ojp.gov “ Black women and girls are disproportionately affected by violence, trafficking, and systemic neglect, leading to high rates of their disappearance, and placing them at greater risk for homicide. Although they make up a sizable part of missing person cases in the U.S”. In addition, 36% of overall missing women are Black. Although, Black women make up only 13% of the country’s population. Most of these crimes go unreported also in the sphere of victims of sex crimes, they are the least reported or investigated as well but even when reported; danger is still imminent .For example , the case of Isabella Scavelli, a teenage girl who was sexually assaulted and after reporting the crime, accompany by her mother to police. The next day she was shot and killed by the perpetrators. Furthermore, in cases of social justice and police brutality, Black women are mistreated, endure right violations and are murdered by police a long side their male counterparts. In cases like Sandra Bland, Sonya Massey and Breonna Taylor to name a few. Black women are not safe during traffic stops, when they call for help or during an investigation and due process. Confirming the words of Malcolm X in the 1960s even more true today. Ironically, as women gain rights through feminism and other efforts. Protection has decreased.
4.The use of “Divide and Conquer” in the Black community
The strategy of divide and conquer was first reported in English in the 1600s but is a theological concept expressed in the bible. In Mark 3:25 Jesus said, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." This idea has stood the test of time and has evolved into a tactic of war and social control. A tactic that was administer against the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X during Malcom’s separation from the nation. Under an FBI program called Cointelpro it was founded that mailed letters which were the main mode of communication, between the minister and Malcom were intercepted and altered to further instigate the conflict between the two. Subsequently, leading to premature death of Malcolm X. This tactic is still exercised modernly but instead of mailed letters. Poverty, colors, agents and neighborhoods are the catalysts of constant misunderstandings and conflict in black communities that usual result in death or 2nd class citizenship. Only furthering the incapability for Black people to unify themselves and their dollars. Lack of racial self-esteem and the increase of frivolous tension between Black people, depletes from the pride and willingness to defend each other and empower the collective.
5. European standard in Black culture
Malcom X once said “Who taught you to hate the texture of your hair? Who taught you to hate the color of your skin? To such extent you bleach, to get like the white man. Who taught you to hate the shape of your nose and the shape of your lips?
Nubian features self-defamation is prominent today as it was when Malcolm x was alive. It is even more popular in genres that are Black/Africa dominant. In the world of plastic surgery, young Black girls and boys are encouraged to not only alter themselves to look less African but are encouraged by social standard to love and marry individuals with less African features and more European. This point is according to datingnews,com “81% of Black Americans are willing to date someone of a different race, compared to 63% of white Americans. Furthermore, 2 out of 3 black women will be unmarried according to 2023 Census Bureau. Although, there are several factors that contribute to the above. Lack of positive black representation in media and the whitewashing of major black spaces do contribute to what the mass considers dateable and presentable in the romantic sphere. The shunning of the big forehead and big nose Black person is a major conduit that leads to plastics surgery to minimize primitive beautiful features. Bleaching, nose jobs, hairline implants and demonization of the wearing of the natural black kinky hairs are all symptoms of the self-hate Malcolm X mentioned, that still effect Our communities till this day. Safe spaces are still needed to be cultivated in the sphere of beauty for black and brown individuals. Constant frivolous comparisons between the African and European ideas still exist day and usually African features are downplayed and demonized by the very people who obtain them; if not defended when challenged. Again, confirming the existence the self-hate Malcom X spoke about in the 1960s; still exist today.
FOREVA BABIE IS A POET, WRITER AND LOVER OF DANCE FROM NORTH CAROLINA