Statement by Lawrence Hamm, Chairman,

People’s Organization For Progress

Today would have been the 96th birthday of Malcolm X if he had not been assassinated. Malcolm was born May 19, 1925 and he was murdered on February 21, 1965.

It is an amazing thing to consider that Malcolm X is not just a towering historical figure but that more than fifty years after his death he is still one of the most popular, most admired, most followed, most listened to, and most quoted black leaders of our times. He was one of our greatest orators and his fiery speeches inspired many of us to become part of the black liberation movement at home and abroad.

I am glad that the spirit of Malcolm X is alive and well among us in the 21st century. However, I also believe that it is extremely important that we deepen our understanding of the ideas and philosophy of Malcolm X. Anyone who wants to be active in the struggle for black liberation in particular and revolutionary social transformation in general must study the views and ideas of Malcolm X.

Knowing that a person’s thinking evolves I believe that it is particularly important that we know what Malcolm was saying and thinking at the end of his life. In this regard I urge people to read what Malcolm himself actually said. So, I recommend the following books.

People should start with February 1965: The Final Speeches. I would also recommend Malcolm X Speaks, By Any Means Necessary (the book), Malcolm X On Afro-American History, and Malcolm X Speaks To Young People. There are others but these provide a good start. In terms of how Malcolm was trying to put his ideas into practice I would also recommend From Civil Rights To Black Liberation: Malcolm X And The Organization Of Afro-American Unity by Dr William Sales.

Malcolm X was a revolutionary.  At the end of his life he was trying to build The Organization of Afro-American Unity and a movement to change this nation and the world. He was a revolutionary black nationalist, Pan Africanist, and internationalist. He was an advocate of black unity, pride, self-respect, self-determination, self-defense, and self-reliance. He wanted to bring an end to racial inequality, oppression, and exploitation. He was a militant opponent of racism, capitalism, colonialism, and imperialism.

Please keep in mind that we study the ideas of Malcolm X not only to have a more informed and enlightened discussion but to put them into practice in order to transform the society in which we live into a more just and equitable social order, and in the process transform ourselves into better human beings.

It is so important that we also remember his wife, Dr. Betty Shabazz, who upheld his legacy and raised his children in the years after his death. She attended and spoke at the Malcolm X birthday commemorations sponsored by the People’s Organization For Progress (POP). And we salute his daughters who have also worked to to keep his legacy alive. Long live the memory of Malcolm X. Power to the people!

We invite you to attend the People’s Organization for Progress virtual program “Malcolm X and the Crisis of Our Time,” Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 7:00 P.M.  Our panelists are Zayid Muhammad, Dr. Kelly Harris, Aminifu Williams, and Dr. Todd Burroughs. Call 973 801-0001 to get the Zoom information.