I’ve gained new insight on Malcolm X by reading the foreword written by his oldest daughter, Attallah Shabazz. I have always felt that Malcolm X was more radical than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I thought that Malcolm X advocated violence because of his notable phrase, “by any means necessary.” It has been attached with the intent to gain equal rights through violence if need be. But Attallah Shabazz states, “the statement was intended to encourage…examine the obstacles, determine the vision, find the resolve, and explore the alternative dissolving the obstacles” (xiii). She states that the phrase was misused even by his supporters and is still being misused by his admirers today. She defends her father and everything that he stood for. I believe Attallah Shabazz’s foreword introduces this book as a very profound read, because it begins with an intimate relationship of a great man through his daughter’s eyes. Attallah’s childhood was influence by so many great African – Americans just like her father such as, Alex Haley, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.
This is my first time reading the book, but I can remember watching the movie as a small girl. My favorite part of the movie was at the end, when children around the world stood in their classrooms, and proudly yelled: “I – am – Malcolm X…I’m Malcolm X, I – am Mal – colm X.” The movie was in the making for 25 years! Another interesting thing I notice January 20, 1999 the United States Postal Service revealed Malcolm X postal stamp as the twenty – second stamp in the Black Heritage Series. Does this date look for familiar to you? It should be…On January 20, 2008, only nine years later, the United States of America installed their first African – American president. It made me immediately think about the dates, history, and time. History does constantly repeat itself. I do believe that America’s history will repeat itself in good standards. It will never erase its past nor will it be able to redeem itself from it past. But just maybe, historical dates will reemerge as not only as coincidences, but evidence that America will always rise to be remembered as the Greatest Nation.
