Today In History (May 19th) Malcolm Little who would be more popularly known as Malcolm X was born.
Malcolm X was more complex and complicated than the soundbites and photographs that gets passed around every year on his birthday. The man left an indelible mark in the minds and hearts of those who were and are oppressed.
His quotes and message would be something that would transcend generations and genres. In his day of civil rights movement, there was no such thing as the hip hop industry. However, he has impacted some of the biggest stars of a future generation that he would never get the opportunity to meet.
Tupac Shakur, who is in the lineage of the “Black Panthers” party via his mother Afeni Shakur to a liken to the former Nation Of Islam icon. He once stated the following in poetry.
No Malcolm X in my history text
Why is that?
Cause he tried to educate and liberate all blacks
-Words of Wisdom – 2pac
Malcom x and 2 Pac hold a big part in my heart
— Muwada Shaffic (@ShafficMuwada) May 17, 2021
Malcolm converted from street hustler to devout Muslim to national leader to emerging international figure. Fans of hip hop today take a look at the life of Tupac Shakur and see parallels and it makes those who did not see or hear Malcolm X during his time come to life for those who were able to see the hip hop icon.
It seems Tupac lived his life around that quote. It's crazy how similar they were.
— S.M (@Troublesome21x) May 17, 2021
Of course, the two men lost their lives to a hail of bullets, but this doesn’t take away the fact the message for the betterment of their community hasn’t long lived past their untimely deaths. History ended up casting Malcolm X as radical counterpart to the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the nonviolent martyr. It should be noted that the man who went with the code of “By any means necessary” and “The ballot or the bullet” were seen in their last days together. We could only imagine what could have been with these two working together which may have actually been a threat to many even inside their own movements.
Check out the celebration of the life of Malcolm X on social media below.
Rosa Parks said that Malcolm X was her hero
They met and talked several times
Articlehttps://t.co/OGaLIABREk
— Malcolm Shabazz (@malcolmshabazz6) May 19, 2021
Questions for Malcolm X https://t.co/EZ1Eh7fXax
— Dimitri (@misterDjay_) May 19, 2021
“Whenever a black man cares for his people, empowering them, and preaching truth they will always focus on his mistakes, his flaws, and his contradictions. They want to illegitimize his message. Stop his progress and the hope for the people.” Malcolm X
— Miller (@ItsMillerO) May 19, 2021
The richness of African American history is unbelievable! From Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Marcus Garvey (a Jamaican that left a huge mark in African American history), Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr, The Black Panther Party, Assata Shakur, Angela Davies and many more!
— #Nja_Yam 💯🇿🇦® (@IamShadyMxo) May 19, 2021
Happy Heavenly Birthday to Malcolm Little aka Malcolm X. 🙏🏾 He was so far ahead of his time! Most of all, I respect how he humbled himself and revised his rhetoric after his trip to Mecca. How many people do you know who can publicly say, “I was wrong?” 🤔
— Mark “Mouse” Edwards (@EdwardsFamm5) May 19, 2021
On today, his 96th birthday, I am remembering #MalcolmX (el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz) and praying for his dear daughters, including my powerful sister-friend, @ilyasahShabazz. #MalcolmXDay 🖤 pic.twitter.com/6U7l9d4h9K
— Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 19, 2021
A true legend
— KAITLYNN (@KAITLYN33790730) May 19, 2021
Remembering the life, legacy and family of Brother Malcolm (el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz) on his 96th birthday. #MalcolmX #MalcolmXDay pic.twitter.com/Jj2yFWhcfc
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) May 19, 2021
