Happy Birthday, Brother Malcolm!

He would have celebrated 91 years of life today (May 19). What can be said about a man who captivated a nation? Malcolm X or Al-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz as he was known in the years prior to his death, is considered by many one of the most important voices of conscious thought and for some a racist who brought evil to our land. Ask any millennial what they love about Malcolm X and you are certain to hear one of his infamous quotes roll quickly off their tongues; "By any means necessary," or his mantra to everyone, to "make it plain."

Much has been written about Malcolm X and his views on race and the experiences of the Black American. He was a skilled orator who was unrelenting and unapologetic in his critique of America. It is his legacy of words that continue to resonate as issues of race, and bias draw lines of division across the country today. He believed that the path to equality for African Americans was based in America's ability to embrace the humanity of all its citizens. Minister Malcolm taught us that we couldn't be recognized as citizens until we are first recognized as humans. And that got me wondering - has America lost her humanity? Are we so intolerant of those who look and act different from us? Are we no longer one nation under God? Are we really willing to let the blind lead the blind?

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