We remember the birthday of Malcolm X today – May 19th with the eulogy given by actor Ossie Davis at Malcolm’s funeral. Here is an excerpt:
There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times. Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain—and we will smile. Many will say turn away—away from this man, for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man—and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate—a fanatic, a racist—who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them: 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.





{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
My parents made me read his autobiography in like the 6th grade!
Helped shape my life for the positive!
I wonder what it would feel like to sit down as a young man and hear what Malcolm has to say about the current state of the world. It would have been amazing to pick apart this man’s train of thought. I know without thinking, many of us have tarnished everything he lived for an have therefore disappointed his very legacy. I must say I apologize to our forefathers for the pitfalls of my generation.
Good job life… thanks for this.
I’M-MALCOLM-X
-Spike Lee….
this website promotes nothing but ignorance. Malcolm would not approve….