Tuesday Morning Starting Five: The Happy Born Day Brother Malcolm Edition
Someone asked me on facebook, in what way did Malcolm X inspire me personally. While I was transcribing Marc 
Spears’ interview, it became quite clear. Malcolm inspired a personal confidence devoid of fear. I have a different style than most, but this really has nothing to do with writing. Because of Malcolm, I feel like I can speak my mind in any arena without shouting down those mocking my words out of insecurity. The mind is a weapon. There’s a mental swag that keeps me on the constant lookout to soak up more and more knowledge daily. This was also passed through Muhammad Ali by way of sports…ultimately trickling down to millions of conscious minds looking to create change by the sweat of their own hands spoken through the lens of their own perspective. Whether or not you followed his philosophy, Malcolm X made you think. He challenged you to speak from a deeper concept than what you were used to. Ya better come with something strong because if you didn’t, he would say it all and for the most part he was right. I miss you because you are family El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. We who have more on our minds than just our person are indebted to the service you provided even in death.
Shabazz fam to memoralize Audubon Ballroom. (Euroweb)
Freedom Fighters or criminals? (Black Agenda Report)
I guess we haven’t learned as much as we should because there’s another dead rapper. (AJC)
Despite bringing Kobe from Philadelphia to the Lakers, Jerry West says LeBron ‘has a chance to be arguably the greatest player ever to play the game.’ (LA Times)
Sanya Hughes (The Gleaner)
Can a White guy be African American? (ABC News)
I think Patrick linked this, but just in case: Al Sharpton, John Conyers on opposite sides of airplay fee battle. (NY Daily News)
Why baby boys are turning into girls. (The Standard)
It’s just about knowing our history folks. Just like everyone else has the right to…
That “Someone” on Facebook must be very wise and handsome.
Seriously, though, Malcolm as always inspired me, but for different reasons. I’ve elaborated before on how enamored I am with the way he searches for the truth, however uncomfortable it may be.
But I needed to read this today. Yeah. Thanks. I need to feel confident that I can speak my mind on a topic, especially when I’ve spent hours, and sometimes years, thinking about it. So thanks.
There are plenty of white (european descent, caucausion) folks in Africa. If a person is born and raised there I suppose by definition they are “African.” I think the jive is with a person claiming to be African American and not being able to carry the full burden. You can claim to be us, but you can’t really BE us, ya dig?
Steve Nash is an African American — in the strictest sense of the words.
R.I.P. Brother Malcolm. One of the finest people to ever walk the earth.
Happy B’day to our Shining Black Prince, Brother Malcolm.
RIP to Dolla and condolences to his family. Still sad that after Biggie, Pac, and Jam Master Jay this stuff is still happening.
A caucasian can call himself African-American all he wants but as Jerold says will he/she be willing to carry that weight that comes more from skin identity than where you were born. That’s not something I see many Black people wanting to pick up.