2024-02-21: On this day in 1965 … Malcolm X … was Assassinated at an Organization of Afro-American Unity (#OAAU) Rally in the Audubon Ballroom, Harlem, New York City …
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Malcolm X … later known as el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz … was born on 19 May 1925.
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Eulogy of Ossie Davis at Malcolm’s Funeral Service …
” Here – at this final hour, in this quiet place, Harlem has come to bid farewell to one of its brightest hopes – extinguished now, and gone from us forever.
Many will ask what Harlem finds to honour in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain – 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 unto 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 honour him: Malcolm was our manhood, our living, black manhood ! ‘
This was his meaning to his people. And, in honouring him, we honour the best in ourselves. And we will know him then for what he was and is – a Prince, our own black shining Prince ! – who didn’t hesitate to die, because he loved us so.”
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