Yesterday I went to a talk about the life and legacy of Malcolm X. It was enlightening. Malcolm X was born and grew up in a society that was divided. This had a tremendous impact on his views, beliefs and actions. Malcolm did not believe it was possible to integrate Black people and White people, he did not much entertain the idea that non-violence could bring about equality, amicable race relations and ultimately peace. His views were a reflection of a failing society and his approach, albeit borne out of frustration with the system, has been shown repeatedly by history to either not work entirely or, in the very least, to be unsustainable in the long term. Malcolm X went through a transition in the latter years of his life, some argue that, perhaps, a bit too late for his own good. His contact on a trip to Africa with African leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah would prove to be just as impactful to his views then as his experiences before. Kwame Nkrumah, along with a number of African leaders such as Mandela, who themselves grappled with the seemingly ineffective non-violent approach, were largely guided by the philosophy of Ubuntu in their struggle to free Africans from colonialism. Ubuntu emphasizes the inter-connectedness of human beings. Malcolm X began to change his views, but, perhaps, tragically, he would not live long enough to co-champion integration between peoples of different races and religions. What he may or may have not done will therefore remain a matter of speculation but our generation, and in no small part to the sacrifices of people such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah and others, owe it to future generations to end the polarization which has become a part of every-day life, between races, host populations and immigrants, the ruling elite and the dis-enfranchised, the rich and the poor. To use the words of one Martin Luther King Jr, we may not live to see the day when equality will be a part of every-day life but we cannot afford to not play our part so that the children of our children can enjoy the fruits of our efforts and sacrifices as we have enjoyed the fruits of the sacrifices of our fore-father and fore-mothers!
Posted on: Thu, 24 Oct 2013 10:42:58 +0000
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