Within the African American community there is a big misunderstanding about the late great leader Malcolm X.
I notice that when some black people refer to Malcolm X and decide they want to follow in what they think he was all about, they decide to get violent and want to fight. Vice versa, when one wants to be peaceful, and handle negative situations calmly, one may claim they are following the actions of Martin Luther King Jr.
Not only is there a bad misconception about Malcolm X in black America, but also in white America.
The misconception is that he was racist and violent, yet there is no record of him having hit, fought or started any physical wars with white people during his leadership years in the civil rights struggle. Even when Malcolm X was a “hoodlum” he did not kill or harm anyone.
I guess some people just ignore the fact that he was killed; not him killing people.
It is bad that a lot of people do not take the time to read his autobiography or anything positive about him. His autobiography will tell you everything that you need to know.
Malcolm X was the founder of Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity.
Malcolm X was not a violent man. He wanted the same equality and justice for blacks everywhere, just like Martin Luther King Jr. did.
Malcolm X was an extraordinary leader who was true to his people, despite the fact that a lot of people despised him, and did not take his much needed advice. He told the truth about white America and their racist mentality, and he told the truth about how some black people were comfortable being oppressed and were not right for not fighting for there rights.
Neither black America nor white America wanted to accept the truth, pretty much how people are today.
Black America should not allow the media, white America, or mis-educated black people to ignore the contributions that Malcolm X did for black people.
Malcolm X was a strong, proud black man who knew who he was, where he came from and where he intended to go. He told the truth and nothing but the truth.
Black and white people could not handle his strength or his strong mindset. He was a good example of what a real man should be and what a good leader is.
He and Martin Luther King Jr. both put their lives on the line and fought for justice for black people. The only difference between the two is they had different approaches as to how they handled situations.
Malcolm X’s life needs to be celebrated more and talked positively about. He was not a mean, violent man like some people want to believe. Malcolm X wanted black people from all over the world to be unified, despite our personal differences. He was doing everything in his power to make that dream possible.
The truth about Malcolm X and what he stood for needs to be told, and told correctly.
Ashley Bates is a Broadcast journalism student from Pensacola. She can be reached at ashlovescandy @yahoo.com.