Thug Life Army

Many in hip-hop and rap culture associate with the life and the words of Malcolm X. The Malcolm X Grass Roots Movement contributes a lot to the hip-hop culture and took part in The National Hip-Hop Political Convention.

“if you knew him, you would know why we must honor him’, Ossie Davis said; so for all the thought provoking writings, speeches, giving of direction and for all the love he showed: we celebrate this day and remeber this fallen souljah. This day May 19^th, an anniversary of the day that The Creator blessed us with a man named Malcolm X. We remember and celebrate the day of his birth – “a Prince - our own black shining Prince! - who didn''t hesitate to die, because he loved us so."

The messages that Malcolm X spoke were timeless messages and his prominence as a leader is something we were all robbed of.

In the eulogy delivered by Ossie Davis at the funeral of Malcolm X at Faith Temple Church Of God on February 27,1965, Mr. Davis said “

…“It is not in the memory of man that this beleaguered, unfortunate, but nonetheless proud community has found a braver, more gallant young champion than this Afro-American who lies before us - unconquered still. I say the word again, as he would want me to : Afro-American - Afro-American Malcolm, who was a master, was most meticulous in his use of words. Nobody knew better than he the power words have over minds of men. Malcolm had stopped being a ''Negro'' years ago. It had become too small, too puny, too weak a word for him. Malcolm was bigger than that. Malcolm had become an Afro-American and he wanted - so desperately - that we, that all his people, would become Afro-Americans too.”…

…”There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times. Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain - and we will smile. Many will say turn away - away from this man, for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man - 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 to 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 honor him.”…

…”Consigning these mortal remains to earth, the common mother of all, secure in the knowledge that what we place in the ground is no more now a man - but a seed - which, after the winter of our discontent, will come forth again to meet us. 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."

Bro. Min. Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska May 19th, 1925. Born Malcom Little he would surely make his mark in this world before his untimely passing.

His father, Earl Little, was a Baptist minister and a follower of Marcus Garvey. Malcom’s fathers’ position as an activist got him murdered by a white supremacist organization when Malcolm was 6 yrs. old.

Shortly after the murder of her husband, Malcolm’s mother, Louise Norton Little was committed to a mental institution.

The family was split up and the children sent to different foster homes; live was not easy for young Malcolm.

Malcolm’s dream of becoming a lawyer was never realized, mainly because his favorite teacher told him that was “no realistic goal for a nigger." It was a very different time, but Malcolm lived in a time when racism ran ramped in this country.

Malcolm eventually dropped out of school and began a life that would lead him to Harlem. Street life and the various things associated with it lead Malcolm to being arrested and being sentenced to 10 years in prison; the year was 1946, Malcolm was 21 yrs. old.

While being locked down, Malcolm furthered his education and during that time he learned about the Nation of Islam (NOI) and its leader The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Muhammad.

By 1952, when Malcolm was paroled, he became a follower of The Honorable Elijah Muhammad. Muhammad and gave up his ‘slave’ name ‘Little’ and took the new name X.

With Malcolm X’s charisma he rose to the top of the NOI, becoming a force in his own right. In 1958 he married Betty Shabazz. The family grew and so did Malcolm’s troubles.

To make the story short Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam in 1964, for reasons of their own, and formed the Muslim Mosque, Inc. Shortly after that Malcolm took a pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. This is when Malcolm decided he had a message for all races.

It was said that Malcolm was marked for assassination. Life became very trubulant for Malcom and Betty and their 4 children. On February 14, 1965 their NY home was firebombed and luckily no one was injured.

A week after that Malcolm was speaking to followers at Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom; it was February 21, 1965.

With in minuets of taking his spot at the podium; 39-year-old Bro. Min. Malcolm X was gunned down and his voice was stilled forever. Later that year his wife Betty gave birth to their twin daughters.

Those responsible for the assassination of Bro. Min. Malcolm X were convicted of first-degree murder in March 1966. All three men were Nation of Islam members.

Since his death Malcolm X has been better understood by a generation who did not have the pleasure of really knowing him. We are left with his speeches on tape and his words in books.

Learn more about Bro. Min. Malcolm X visit these sites:

http://www.cmgww.com/historic/malcolm/index.htm

http://www.brothermalcolm.net/

http://www.mxgm.org/

Read the entire eulogy delivered by Ossie Davis at the funeral of Malcolm X here -http://www.africawithin.com/malcolmx/eulogy.htm