El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

“Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did, you would know him. And if you knew him, you would know why we must honor him: Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood!”

Ossie Davis- Eulogy Of Malcolm X

May 19, 2010.  Malcolm X would have been 85 years old today.

I’m without words. It would take pages to outline his history and the impact of his life, both generally and personally for me.  All I can really say is, I remember the first time I read The Autobiography Of Malcolm X. It’s a book I cherish to this day.

So rather than dig into my own Malcolm “stuff”I think a more fitting tribute to the man who gave us so much (and still gives) by returning to his words.  Folks hear his voice, can’t help to stop and listen…

“The media’s the most powerful entity on earth. They have the power to make the innocent guilty and to make the guilty innocent, and that’s power. Because they control the minds of the masses.” Malcolm X

“Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.” Malcolm X

“You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.” Malcolm X

“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.” Malcolm X

“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it’s for or against.” Malcolm X

“We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.” Malcolm X