On February 21st 1965 Malcolm X was executed by the then "Black Muslim" organization, now the "Nation of Islam". Elijah Muhammad the head of this sect is widely believe, by those outside of the group, to have ordered this hit after Malcolm X departed from the strict tenets of Muslim beliefs.After Malcolm X went on his famous Hajj to Mecca he began to grow, and evolve towards a more humanistic view of society. In the Mid-East, and Africa he saw people of all colors within his faith treating each other with respect, and affection.
This clashed profoundly with the "Nation's" insular ethnic/racial values.
He was still a radical for racial justice, but nolonger trusted by the sect. He was changing, growing, evolving. Becoming more, much more than he was when he joined the Black Muslims.
This was perhaps Malcolm X's worst offense against his former mentor Mr. Muhammad, but certainly not the first. In the end his potential as a strong rival from within or a threat from without of the race nationalist movement cost him his life. History can only wonder what Malcolm X could have achieved had he survived.
Malcolm X on his Hajj.
I have personally witnessed that in the decades since his murder only Malcolm's pre-Mecca speeches, and actions are commemorated. The true reasons for his murder glossed over. His more worldly views pushed to the side. Only the angry racialist is honored among too many.
Even responsibility for his killing is shifted to other parties. Some vague conglomeration of local rouge cops, the Mob, and the FBI are to blame.
Mind you none of these groups were remotely sorry to see Malcolm X killed. It is a certainty that they would have eventually done it themselves. It's just by historic chance that the Nation got him first. He was indeed a dangerous man. He had the potential to radically bring people together. Not unlike Dr. Martin Luther King.
Imagine a Malcolm/King alliance.
Such would have been the System's worse nightmare. These men 'had' to die to keep things as they were. You'll note that in the nearly half century since the 1960's political eliminations no other major social reform figures have been assassinated. No need since no one has threatened the status quo as seriously since.They know better.
The Nation of Islam is main-stream now. They have no interest in changing anything. Nor it seem does anyone else. The system doesn't shoot people that work to foment distrust, and keep people apart. Such movements, and personalities are assured of long untroubled lives.
So it goes.
Humm,..he may have been on to something there.
3 comments:
I don't dispute that Malcolm X was a person of remarkable charisma - and, if you like, a man with remarkable leadership qualities - but where does a 'Haj' pilgrim (or, in the case of Dr Martin Luther King, a born again Jesus adherent) actually lead us?
I don't have a dispute with 'religion' in its deeper sense. I understand 'religion' to be nothing more nor less than a concern for the serious questions of life - as they affect the world and other people, beyond the narrow interest of our own egos. But belief in a religious confession is something else. Beliefs are barriers. They ultimately produce friction, hatred, and violence - of the kind that finally killed both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King.
We should stop looking for salvation to any 'salvationist' sect or anyone who has anything to do with them. We need to grow beyond this.
I see your point. However I think both men in question were personalities of their time. A time when being identified with faith mattered.
In both cases these men were also sincere in those beliefs. Today they might be more secular in how they framed their views of social justice.
In the Black communities before say 1980 there were limitations on what one could aspire to be.
Pastor-ship was a popular choice for our best, and brightest from the era of slavery to the late 20th century.
So it's no accident that most of the most heroic, and successful activist for justice came from that endeavor.
As I acknowledge it might be different in this new more secular, at least in the west, century.
Thanks for posting.
I believe Malcom X got it allright, bottom line is we're all human Being, regardless of colour of skin or religion, lets tolorete each other, shall we ?
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