“Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you send him to the cemetery.”
Malcolm X is perhaps the most misunderstood American in the history of this country. Many say that he is a hate-monger or that he preached violence, but nothing could be further from the truth. Malcolm never preached violence; he only advocated the use of violence for self-defense. This is not a hateful message rather it is common sense. Malcolm X is only saying things that most parents teach their children at a young age.
But if you say, you can still pass the violations over, then I ask, Hath your house been burnt? Hath your property been destroyed before your face? Are your wife and children destitute of a bed to lie on, or bread to live on? Have you lost a parent or a child by their hands, and yourself the ruined wretched survivor? If you have not, then you are not a judge of those who have. But if you have, and can still shake hands with the murderers, then you are unworthy of the name of husband, father, friend, or lover, and whatever rank or title in life, you have the heart of a coward, and the spirit of a sycophant…
Thomas Paine, Common Sense 1776
Certainly, no American would claim that Paine was a hate monger or that he preached violence. Quite the contrary, he is regarded as an American Patriot and rightfully so. King George treated the colonists much better than white society treated black society. Therefore, when Malcolm said that he wanted freedom, justice and equality by any means necessary he was echoing the sentiments that American patriots had always professed.
I cannot understand why many Americans, especially conservatives are so hostile to Malcolm X. I suppose that much of the contempt directed at Malcolm X stems from his early views on whites. He believed that they were all devils. This twisted view was shaped by the Nation of Islam. However, Malcolm abandoned this racist ideology after making a religious pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. Likewise, many detest his anti-capitalism rhetoric. I suspect his economic views would change if he witnessed the fall of the Berlin wall and the Soviet Union. Many people believed that capitalism was a zero-sum game however this idea seems to have vanished from the mainstream. Even though he completely changed his racist views he knew that his image would be exploited in death.
"He will make use of me dead, as he has made use of me alive, as a convenient symbol of hatred"
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2 comments:
Hey Roy
Good post. I agree that he is misunderstood. Part of that was because people judge him by his early days, rather that the veiws he formed as a more mature man. Unfortuanatley, he was taken too soon - probably by the nation of Islam itself.
As for capitalism, I am not that familiar with Malcolm's views. I would be interested in reading about thme. Can you suggest something pertinent.
That beign said, I am not so sure that capitalism is not a zero-sum game. It seems that it is - at least it is becoming that way in this country.
Joe,
A great book is The Autobiography of Malcolm X. But the movie done be Spike Lee was also done well. Plus the extra dvd, has a great documentary with Malcolm giving speeches.
I don't know if capitalism is becoming a zero-sum game in this country or if the global competition has changed the effects our economy alot. That being said, I find myself begining to back free college (with some sort of means test)in this country because we are going to need more educated people as manufacturing goes completely away.
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