Malcolm X : 50 Years later his message still rings true

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Malcolm X has always been a staple in my household. Growing up as a kid, I found a deep appreciation and interest in my roots and Black history.

While the message of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. always enlightened me, I was often intrigued by the teachings of Malcolm X and what he represented.

Malcolm X was misunderstood. His teachings were often esoteric and deemed radical. He was a man who indicted white America in the harshest times for its crimes against Black Americans. His detractors accused him of preaching racism, black supremacy, antisemitism, and violence.

While his message may have been different, Malcolm X’s end game was for equality. He strived for equality amongst us all, but more importantly, equality for brown and black people. He was a courageous fighter for civil rights for Black America.

50th Anniversary of Malcolm X’s Death

Today marks the 50th anniversary of Malcolm X’s assassination. He was assassinated during a rally of one of his followers in the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, New York City.

The men accused of his murder were believed to have connections to the Nation of Islam, though a formal tie between that group and the assassination was never proven.

As 50 years have passed, I am ever-so reminded that his message and his words still ring true today.

Malcolm X wasn’t timid about his feelings on the inequalities, injustices, and systematic racism in America. Often times, his message was misconstrued as a message of hate. But he loved Black people and simply hated racism.

I often wonder how he would have responded to the #blacklivesmatter movement in what I call possibly the new civil rights movement of today. The same injustices that he tried to raise awareness on unfortunately we are still fighting today.

We are still fighting for a solution to bring systemic issues that have plagued our community to an end.

Malcolm X spoke his mind. He fought for black and brown people to love themselves. While he might have did it with risk, he did it, and because of him I love my black culture.

I leave you with a one of my favorite quotes from Malcolm X.. “So early in my life, I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise”.

By any means necessary.