Happy Birthday to El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz (aka Malcolm X)!

Happy Birthday to El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz (aka Malcolm X)!He would have been 83 years wise today had he not been assassinated.

El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz (1925-1965) was known as Malcolm X beforeleaving the Nation of Islam, renouncing his former teacher ElijahMuhammad and accepting Islam. Islam, as he himself was surprised todiscover is a universal religion inviting all people, regardless ofcolor, national origin or sex to come together as One people toworship One God.

Today, in celebration of his birthday, I'd like to share a fewquotations of our Beloved Brother Minister Malik El Shabazz that haveinspired me since I was a teenager and hold no less inspiration for metoday.

Malik El Shabazz was a master-teacher. He was not known (outside ofthe African-American community for fiery sound bites, but fordelivering powerful lessons to people struggling under the boot of anoppressor world-wide. His approach at the pulpit or podium wasprofessorial. He came prepared with diagrams, maps and other visualaids to help people understand the depth and breadth of all theknowledge, wisdom and understanding he wished to share with us.

We were SO BLESSED to have him even for a little while. I dare not askmyself the question where would we be without him. At age sixteen, hewas my very first towering hero (outside of my parents). His stance,his defiance of black people continuing to be victims of oppressionand horrific violence, political pawns and less than full Americancitizens were all compelling. His broad smile convinced me, as I'msure it did for many others as well, that this man KNEW SOMETHING thatmade him seem to stand more erect than most men. He was the closestthing to a father of generations of African-American people of allages. More than any other, this was the man I choose to emulate in myfirst wobbly attempts to walk like a man.

If you should leave a comment on this discussion topic today and youhave a quotation of Brother Malcolm that is not included in the (much)abbreviated list I've listed below, please post the ones you have. Letall who leave comments depart with the feeling that they have justleft a flower, a candle or some burning incense at this special placewhere we pay tribute to the Soul of this magnificent man.


Peace Be Upon the Soul Known as El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz Forever. MayAllah Bless him and Keep him.