Malcolm X Remembered

Malcolm X of the Muslim Mosque, Inc. and Shirley Graham DuBois, Director of Ghana National Television, at her villa in Accra, Ghana during Malcolm's visit in May 1964. DuBois had thrown a reception in his honor., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Malcolm X remembered

Saturday, 25 May 2013 00:00

NEW YORK — “One of the first things that the independent African nations did was to form an organisation called the Organisation of African Unity.

“This organisation consists of all independent African states who have reached the agreement to submerge all differences and combine their efforts toward eliminating from the continent of Africa colonialism and all vestiges of oppression and exploitation being suffered by African people,” revealed Malcolm X at the Audubon Ballroom during his Organisation of Afro-American Unity’s (OAAU) founding forum, June 28, 1964.

The legacy of the black nationalist was recognised on May 19, in commemoration of his 88th birthday. Forty-eight years after his physical death, his advocacy for black self-determination still lives, as was displayed in Harlem, his political platform.

Upon arriving at Ferncliff Cemetery on Sunday morning, several hundred supporters emptied out from the caravan of vehicles, led by six school buses, which trekked to Hartsdale, NY, from Harlem’s State Office Building for the 48th annual pilgrimage to Malcolm X’s gravesite. His beloved soulmate, Dr Betty Shabazz, is also interred there after having passed on June 23, 1997.

“We gathered this morning for a day that, for us, is a sacred day,” opened Al-Hajj Talib Abdur-Rashid, imam at Mosque of Islamic Brotherhood, which succeeded Malcolm’s Muslim Mosque Incorporated.

“We gather at the earthly grave of two of our noble ancestors: El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Malcolm X, Omowale; and his wife, Dr Betty Bahia Shabazz; who have now been joined in the ancestral realm by their grandson, Malcolm.” Due respect was paid to young Malcolm Lateef Shabazz, who was murdered in Mexico 10 days earlier and was buried at Ferncliff on Tuesday.

OAAU President James Small shared, “Betty was one hell of a revolutionary sister. She was by his side every step of the way. She was always there with her husband.”

Activist Atiim Ferguson acknowledged Abubadika Sonny Carson’s physical day (May 20) before wondering aloud, “I always think . . . What would’ve happened if Malcolm and Martin had lived longer? Where would we be today as a people? . . . but that legacy falls on us . . . this is what we have to do!”

Dr Leonard Jeffries concluded: “We are in the period of the African renaissance. The African Union is continuing the OAAU’s work . . . linking our struggles in America, the West Indies and South America with the struggles in the African continent. That process is actually taking place as we speak. So we have to find a way to unify!”

Upon returning to Harlem, the December 12th Movement led its 25th annual Black Power “Shut’em Down” economic boycott of businesses along 125th Street from 1-4 p.m.

They chanted, “Black power for Black people in Harlem!” and “No disrespect for Malcolm X!” and “Shut ’em down!” while forcing businesses that hadn’t already done so to roll down their steel gates.

The self-empowering act concluded on the very same corner at African Square where Malcolm X used to address the Harlem community with his critical analysis of society’s ills.

Omowale Clay closed by saying, “This May 19 is not an event; there are no guarantees other than what we meant: self-determination and self-defence! Black power!”

— amsterdamnews.com.