Beware of folks who tell you that Malcolm X "changed" and became an integrationist. That is nonsense. The charter for his Organization of Afro-American Unity (the OAAU was founded just before he was assassinated and modeled after the Organization of African Unity) spells out his black nationalist agenda. Malcolm X lived and died a "race man." He stated clearly that progressive white people could support the organization (this was a change) but they could not become members.
If you are looking for authoritative research on the assassination of Malcolm X, it doesn't get any better than Zak Kondo's hard to find Conspiracys [sic]: Unravelling the assassination of Malcolm X. A close second is Karl Evanzz's The Judas Factor: The Plot to Kill Malcolm X. Russell Rickford has writtien an massive biography on Betty Shabazz. Listen to Rickford here.
Another good read is When the Word is Given by Louis Lomax. Lomax's book is full of insights about the structure of the Nation of Islam and smart profiles of Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X several years before Malcolm was suspended.
There is one curious passage in the book. Nowadays many us believe that John Ali, National Secretary of the NOI, was an informant for the government. Ali, I think, was also the one who reported Malcolm's "chickens coming home to roost" statement to Elijah Muhammad. On page 82, John X (John Ali) is mentioned casually by Lomax as a "former FBI agent." Apparently no one at that time thought that being a former federal agent disqualified said person from sensitive NOI posts. AMAZING. Kinda hard to believe in retrospect. FBI Lomax died in a car accident while working on a film project implicating the FBI in Malcolm X's assassination so he likely figured out that John Ali was a spy at some point. Many believe Lomax might have been killed by the government.
For a fascinating account of what it was like coming of age as a daughter of Malcolm X, see Ilyahsah Shabazz's memoir, Growing Up X. Ilyahsah is Malik (Malcolm) and Betty Shabazz's third daughter (they had six children, all girls).
Make it Plain
Make it Plain is one of my favorite documentaries on Malcolm X. Great footage of Wilfred Little (a senior brother of Malcolm), John Henrik Clarke, Alex Haley, Sonia Santchez and much more.
"Our Voices," hosted by Bev Smith, asks the question "Who Killed Malcolm X?" (part 2)
Another good read is When the Word is Given by Louis Lomax. Lomax's book is full of insights about the structure of the Nation of Islam and smart profiles of Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X several years before Malcolm was suspended.
There is one curious passage in the book. Nowadays many us believe that John Ali, National Secretary of the NOI, was an informant for the government. Ali, I think, was also the one who reported Malcolm's "chickens coming home to roost" statement to Elijah Muhammad. On page 82, John X (John Ali) is mentioned casually by Lomax as a "former FBI agent." Apparently no one at that time thought that being a former federal agent disqualified said person from sensitive NOI posts. AMAZING. Kinda hard to believe in retrospect. FBI Lomax died in a car accident while working on a film project implicating the FBI in Malcolm X's assassination so he likely figured out that John Ali was a spy at some point. Many believe Lomax might have been killed by the government.
For a fascinating account of what it was like coming of age as a daughter of Malcolm X, see Ilyahsah Shabazz's memoir, Growing Up X. Ilyahsah is Malik (Malcolm) and Betty Shabazz's third daughter (they had six children, all girls).
Make it Plain
Make it Plain is one of my favorite documentaries on Malcolm X. Great footage of Wilfred Little (a senior brother of Malcolm), John Henrik Clarke, Alex Haley, Sonia Santchez and much more.
Panel discussion of the assassination of our Black Shining Prince, Baba Omowale El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X). Held at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial & Educational Center (on the site of the old Audubon Ballroom).Via Jared Ball.
"Our Voices," hosted by Bev Smith, asks the question "Who Killed Malcolm X?" (part 1)
"Our Voices," hosted by Bev Smith, asks the question "Who Killed Malcolm X?" (part 2)
"Our Voices," hosted by Bev Smith, asks the question "Who Killed Malcolm X?" (part 3)
"Our Voices," hosted by Bev Smith, asks the question "Who Killed Malcolm X?" (part 4)
"Our Voices," hosted by Bev Smith, asks the question "Who Killed Malcolm X?" (part 5)
Where is Sister Bev Smith and what is she doing?
ReplyDeletePeace sista Alicia,
ReplyDeleteSista-Mother Bev Smith is the woman in the videos hosting the "Our Voices" show titled "Who killed Malcolm X?" kzs