Happy Birthday Malcolm X: The Miraculous Minister From the Midwest

According to some researchers a man does not reach his full emotional intelligence until age 43. The statistics also say, that number is severely altered if the individual was raised in a traumatic, emotional abusive environment. So, if a man rises from extreme racism, violence, and political redlining to change his mindset, behavior and then the outlook of a people, he would have to be considered extraordinary, or maybe even magical. If someone asked me to describe Malcolm X that is how I would describe him.  

There are countless articles, books, lectures and even a Hollywood movie about Malcolm X, therefore many people already know his general statistics. We already know due to the crippling ethnic envy that many African Americans experience during the early 1900s in America, Malcolm was a troubled you. We already know he went to jail because of being involved in criminal activity. We already know that while in prison he met members of a religious group that he would go on to have heavy involvement in. And finally, we already know that after years of service to the betterment of his people, he would be gunned down in front of his family. I wouldn't write about the things we already know about him because frankly they require ethnic political conversations, and who really wants to talk about that right now?. This blog is about a man’s life being celebrated.

If I was led to write about Minister Malcolm (and clearly I was), I would want to remind people that  Malcolm Little, became Malcolm X who through many trials and tribulations left this Earthly realm as El Hajj Malik Shabazz. That name translates to the Pilgrim of Malcolm the Patriarch. Which is what he did in life. He took a pilgrimage through life as various versions of himself, improving with each iteration. Malcolm X left a fatherly example of moral fortitude, integrity, and strong family values to a people said to be nothing more than criminals or potential criminals.

In his last days, just like Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X's views started expanding beyond their media assigned message. Martin who was known for his non-violent stance started leaning towards a message of financial assistance for Foundational Black Americans to the same degree given to incoming immigrants. Conversely, Malcolm who was known for his black centered Islamic ideas started (after his trip to Mecca) leaning towards more expanding ideas that included embracing Muslims all over the world despite race. Unfortunately, he was eliminated before he could be associated with that as his long-term motive.

Today's America is different but still the same. Some still don’t see Malcolm's race as full or native American citizens. Although they are with a rich cultural history to support. That is the reason why Malcolm

X still resonates with so many today. He showed the world that a black man can be a reformed citizen, humanitarian, father, community organizer, and protector of the innocent. On this his 100th-year birthday, I just wanted to drop a small letter of appreciation to The Midwest Minster who in real life transformed himself before he transmuted and left a legacy that showed with faith, determination and discipline one can accomplish the unimaginable no matter where they began, just like a beautiful butterfly.