1991-1992

by Kevin Minh Allen
posted 7/14/06

Avid readers always have that one book they swear changed the course of their life. The Autobiography of Malcolm X was the book that introduced me to a critical understanding of American history and awakened me to a seminal figure who tore off the gilded surface of America and systematically worked to reverse the injustice he witnessed in this country and the world at large. Sure, in school we learned all about Martin Luther King, Jr., but none of the origins or rationales for the civil rights movement were seriously discussed or addressed. We werenft educated about its legacy or philosophical/religious underpinnings that still have a hold on our collective conscience; we were simply told to memorize peoplefs names, laws and dates, as if life were just another forgettable pop quiz.

History classes across the country take one of Kingfs speeches, gI Have A Dreamh, and canonize it, thus diminishing its impact and long-term value in the minds of subsequent generations of school children. We were instructed to regard history as something that happens in the past and the past is what youfre supposed to put behind you. Therefs no need to get upset over black-and-white images of people, places and things long gone. Teachers make it known that all the appropriate laws have been passed and racism does not exist anymore. No surprise that I had to learn on my own that there is not just one version of history. In order to catch a glimpse of the truth, you have to look for and examine many histories and weigh one story versus the other against factual evidence. As testament to how pop culture can actually educate people, I first heard of Malcolm X via one of the greatest hip-hop ensembles to hit the streets, Public Enemy. Back when MTV was still a convention-flaunting medium, the video for gFight The Powerh was in heavy rotation and as Flavor Flav would exclaim, gThis is serious bizness!h So, toward the end of the video therefs that great crowd scene, filled with jubilant and proud youths filling the streets of Brooklyn, proclaiming gpeople powerh and holding up giant placards with images of Black Power icons on them. The photo of Malcolm X that was prominently displayed was of a stern-faced rebel, in mid-invective, pointing his stoic finger at the audience in front of him, probably excoriating them to confront and take down the racial injustice that had become their lot in life.

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