Malcolm X Turns 100: Embracing His Vision for Today's Social Justice Movement

Malcolm X Holding Up Black Muslim Newspaper, Chicago, Illinois. Image courtesy of The Gordon Parks Foundation. 1963. Today, we commemorate the significant life and enduring legacy of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X. His legacy represents a profound gift. To explore its depths, I draw inspiration from the rich philosophical traditions of the Dogon people of West Africa, whose knowledge system involves a lengthy ascent through five levels of understanding. Malcolm X embodies this transformative journey. Beginning at the foundational "Giri So," we recognize the facts of his life—born May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. His tumultuous youth, marked by tragedy and crime, eventually led him to the Nation of Islam in prison, where he became Malcolm X. In further levels, we reflect on Malcolm’s evolution towards pan-Africanism post-Mecca, underscoring a need for mental and systemic transformation. His life inspires us to instill values that should guide our actions today. We hold the responsibility for our community's future. This profound legacy invites us to rise and act decisively.