Social Justice

Martin vs. Malcolm: The Olive Branch and The Arrow

35 years before Biggie vs. Tupac, and generations after Dubois vs. Garvey &Washington, the two leading African American minds, of their generation, engaged in an exhibition of philosophies.

Published

12 years ago

August 29, 2013

Israel Wilson

Photo by Library of Congress, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons | https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MLK_and_Malcolm_X_USNWR_-_1964_-_LOC.tif

Table of Contents

Theodicy

The personas of both Malcolm X and Martin Luther King have taken on a certain mysticism. The two seminole figures of the civil rights movement, martyred in the years following their assassinations, they became god-like in the eyes of many. Why not? Martin was steadfast in his commitment to his people and inspirational in his speech. Malcolm channeled his gangster character and became a gangster for change. Martin was arrested repeatedly for what he believed in. Malcolm was murdered for his changing beliefs. Nothing can destroy their legacies, but when we allow ourselves to lose sight of their humanity and begin to deify them, their legacies can be tainted too easily. Gods are supposed to be perfect. Perfection does not allow for even the slightest mistake. Human beings are not perfect. Martin’s infidelities, and Malcolm’s homosexual soirées, may be appalling to those who have uplifted them in such a way, but these men are brothers in the same struggle that I fight today and I love my family through their flaws. Those who might judge them by their mistakes, while ignoring their triumphs and sacrifices, are the same that would judge me for my criminal activities. Judge not lest ye be judged.

If anything learning of their flaws has made me look at myself and understand that I too can change the world despite my own. I know that I am not perfect if those I aspired to be like were perfect where would that leave me. These men were great orators and I have been told that I am also. I examine the world so that I may gain insight that would allow me to speak the words that would inspire the actions that will improve the lives of the oppressed. I pray that my chance comes. I also pray that if I am ever elevated to the level of prestige that these men were that my worth is not gauged by my personal flaws but by my actions that served those at the bottom. Professor Westbrook I love you man. Until we meet again I want you to know that you are an inspiration to me. I am not a perfect person but I am a loving person and I care about the future of our people and all people. Until we meet again continue to be you because you are a great man.