March, boycott honor Malcolm X

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, better known as Malcolm X, was born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Neb., on May 19, 1925. The names he held reflected both his personal journey and that of oppressed people for whom he gave his life. The racism experienced by his family in the 1930s was routine—from verbal harassment to being burned out of their home, to surviving, as a child, the lynching of his father.

Malcolm X

Like other Black Muslims, Malcolm replaced his slave name with an X to symbolize his lost true family name due to slavery. He chose the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz after making the hajj (the obligatory Muslim pilgrimage) to Mecca.

In 1964, Malcolm X built the Organization of African American Unity. Speaking at the Hotel Theresa in New York City that year, he stated, “We have to keep in mind at all times that we are not fighting for integration, nor are we fighting for separation. We are fighting for recognition ... for the right to live as free humans in this society.” (Malcolm-x.org/quotes) On Feb. 21, 1965, he was assassinated in New York City while preparing to speak at an OAAU rally.

In the village of Harlem in New York City, Malcolm X is remembered as “our Black Shining Prince.” This May 19, Malcolm’s 84th birthdaywas celebrated and honored by a 20th anniversary rally and Black Power march along Harlem’s main business district on 125th Street. Sponsors of the event were the December 12th Movement, the Black Men’s Movement, the Malcolm X New Millennium Committee and the Patrice Lumumba Coalition.

Malcolm’s birthday is traditionally commemorated by stores and restaurants shutting down along 125th Street for a 3-hour period. At the rally, celebrants informed the public to either do their shopping before 1 p.m. or after 4 p.m.

The community was reminded that none of the stores in that shopping area would exist in Harlem without the power of “Black money” and that they are still (even with encroaching gentrification) the majority population in Harlem. As such, those doing business in the community must show respect to the community.

“The time is now to stand up for Black power, by any means necessary” and “Black power for Black people in our community” were sentiments expressed during the rally. It was a reminder that people make history. And that it was a day of struggle.

At 1 p.m., with police escort, the marchers stepped off from the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building led by a procession of drummers and a display of the red, black and green flag. Store after store displayed signs on their doors stating, “To our customers: in remembrance of Malcolm X’s birthday, this business will be closed between the hours of 1-4 p.m.”

Most shops promptly closed at 1 p.m., while a few did so only after they heard or saw the marchers approach along 125th Street, moving from the west side to the east side. Here and there, a shop needed a gentle reminder of the day’s occasion.

Along the route were chants of “Shut ‘em down!” and “Black power for Black people, by any means necessary!” There was the call and response of “Whose streets? Our streets!” and the calling out of Malcolm X’s name.

When an occasional merchant refused to close thestore, the marchers stopped, gathered around and shouted, “No disrespect for Malcolm X!”and “Boycott, boycott, boycott!” They vowedthey would return, declaring that disrespect of Malcolm would not be tolerated. Omowale Clay from the D12 Movement solemnly stated when this happened, “I had a dream that places like this won’t exist in Harlem.”

The day was marked by the issuance of a printed Message to the Grassroots: “To honor Malcolm is to honor the best in ourselves. This is no time to sit back or sit down. A Black man in a White House does not make it ours. ONLY YOU are the key to your self-determination and Black Power. Wall Street’s government is still stealing our homes; Police still killing our children; Schools still not teaching our kids; Health care still out of reach; and no jobs for our people ... In the spirit of Malcolm X, to the streets for our human rights.”

Cox is an International Action Center activist/volunteer.