A scowl behind thick glasses- the words “By Any Means Necessary” -Malcom X. He was the civil rights leader of the 1960’s whose message of self defense for the black man (in the case of constant attacks of the psychological, sociological and physical type by the white majority) was interpreted by the media as “militant” and “violent” rhetoric. It is easier to understand Malcom X when you place yourself in his shoes. He was a black man in an extremely racist society who, in prison(where many black men still end up) discovers the history of his people and the conditions that plague them. His heightened awareness instilled in him a sense of purpose and self worth. It is easier to understand Malcom X, when you read his autobiography as penned by Alex Haley (the author of “Roots”) simply titled, “The Autobiography Of Malcom X.” My ideas about Malcom were transformed after reading this book. He was no longer the “violent” leader that I was programmed to view him as, but instead, a strong, passionate black man who loved his people and wanted them to experience the dignity and self-respect that the world was not giving them. His travels to Africa, his warm reception and his appreciation for the people of the continent revealed a man who was truly in touch with his African roots. His belief that Africa held the key for the liberation of the black race all over the world was not only ambitious but necessary back then as it is today. It meant that Africa had/has a big responsibility to the rest of the world.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was sometime during the late 50's or early 60's. He had just had a fall out with his mentor and spiritual advisor, the then leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Mohammed, over Mohammed’s scandalous activities. Subsequently, he was no longer in good terms with friend and heavy weight boxing champion, Mohammed Ali, who because of his close association with the Nation of Islam, also kept his distance from Malcom. He was searching and looking for answers and meaning outside of what he had been taught to believe in the Nation Of Islam. His search led him to two of the most important travels of his life. His travels to Mecca and the Motherland. So what exactly did Malcom X discover in Africa? According to his autobiography, Malcom visited Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt, Liberia, Guinea and other places. In Nigeria, he met and dined with Professors and other professionals and discussed the problems of black Americans. He discovered Nigerians knew a lot more of the civil rights struggles than he had anticipated. He received plenty of press coverage and was given the opportunity to clear up some slanderous rumors around him, including that he had been indirectly responsible for the killing of a white woman in Harlem (p.402). He spoke in the Ibadan University’s Trenchard Hall urging Independent African states to bring the African American’s case to the United Nations (p.403). In Malcom’s exact words:“I said that just as the American Jew is in political, economic and cultural harmony with world jewry, I was convinced that it was time all Afro-Americans to join the world’s Pan-Africanists” (p.403).
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It's no secret that one of the biggest problems Black people all over the world face is lack of unity. Black on black crime is rampant in the states just as ethnic conflicts are rampant in Africa. Even though our struggles across the board are similar, we have still failed to unite as one people, fighting for the common goal of dignity and liberation of the mental and economic kind. Just as the Jews have been able to unite and gain prominence in world affairs, blacks need to do the same. It’s been my personal experience to observe Africans look down on African-Americans as not “real” Africans and African Americans to look down on Africans as “primitive.” I have also been told by many African Americans that Africans are arrogant towards them. This is something that needs to end if “black power” is to become a reality. Malcom X saw the importance of the integration of black minds all over the world. He was in an idealistic frame of mind. African countries were gradually breaking free from their European “masters.” The possibilities that an independent, liberated and resource filled Africa would bring seemed infinite.There was an enormous interest in the civil rights affairs of Black Americans in Nigeria. Malcom admitted that Africans asked him “politically, sharper, questions than one hears from most American adults” (403). Africans are still very much attuned with current events since the education system and media informs them on these issues. With knowledge, however, comes responsibility.Malcom also enjoyed his visit to Ghana. He said this about Ghana: “ I think that nowhere is the black continent’s wealth and the natural beauty of its people richer than in Ghana, which is so proudly the very fountainhead of pan africanism” (p.404).
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Ghana has proven over the years to be a uniting force for Africans and African Americans.
According to an MSNBC article:
For some, Ghana offers incentives to stay: It is the only African country to offer black Americans "right of abode," allowing those who qualify to work and own property, said Janet Butler, president of the African American Association, a support group for expatriates. Applicants must live in Ghana seven years before fully qualifying. They are also granted instant citizenship in Ghana. This experience for African American creates a sense of connection to the motherland.
The Ghanians were extremely receptive of Malcom. Every detail of his life and struggles were recorded. He gathered his largest African crowd in the University of Ghana. There, (in typical Malcom style) he condemned the white people in the audience for hypocritically being friendly with Africans in their own land, but yet treating them with much less dignity in the United States (409). Malcom later addressed the Parliament and even had the opportunity to discuss with then President, Kwame Nkrumah (410). Malcom made other stops in Africa including Senegal and Morocco. The entire experience (coupled with his discovery of true Islam in Mecca) would transform his thinking and attitude towards the handling of the race problem in the States. This was a man on a mission-a Prophet sent to the black people to lift them from their mental and physical bondage and to unite them. Sadly, before Malcom could fully utilize all he had learned from his travels, he was killed. Black people all over the world, not just African Americans, did indeed lose a true visionary. In Nigeria he was given the name, Omowale, which means “the son who has come home.”
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Resources: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6818533/
Autobiography of Malcom X by Alex Haley.
Malcom X speech on western influence in Africa.
http://www.malcolm-x.org/speeches/spc_021465.htm
The Realplayer audio version:
http://www.malcolm-x.org/media/aud/malcolmdetroit.ram
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