Dating : White People Should Love Malcolm X

5 Quotes From “Our Shining Prince” To Inspire Anyone Regardless Of Race

Recently, while traveling, I shared a dorm with a Dutch couple in a hostel in Jericho. Noticing the guy had a few books on his bed, I picked them up and casually browsed. We had a quick discussion on books, and he asked me what my favorites were. I mentioned some Hemingway and Fight Club, and I also mentioned The Autobiography of Malcolm X. He asked who that was, and I gave a brief summary of his life and civil rights activity. He asked if a “white guy” like him should read Malcolm X. Amazed by this inquiry, I immediately answered in the affirmative. What was even more amazing is how this Dutch national had heard of Martin Luther King Jr, but never X.

Anyone familiar with the life and teachings of Our Shining Prince would have a good idea why MLK would be more world renowned, especially in European culture. Malcolm was largely seen as the much more militant, fiery opposite of MLK. He spoke of arming the black community and of self defense. MLK was nonviolent to no end. Malcolm was a Muslim, something that has always been portrayed as foreign and dangerous to the west (never mind the fact that Muslims had been in America ever since the beginning of the transatlantic slave trade). MLK subscribed to the Christian religion which was much more palatable to white America. MLK had a dream, Malcolm had a plan.

The discussion about race that ensued with the Dutch couple made me think of something said by my Imam. When lecturing on why Muslim youth were uninterested in reading the Quran, he explained that Muslim leaders didn’t know how to calibrate the message to the times. For example, when reading about the story of Joseph being sold into slavery and later falsely imprisoned, we should relate that to mass incarceration.

I would argue that besides the obvious gatekeeping at play when learning about iconic figures like X, the reason why these people are oft misunderstood is because we, blacks and whites, struggle to adjust their messages to present situations. Although Malcolm began his public life as a staunch critic of whites, and frankly as a racist, his transformative pilgrimage to Mecca made him into a humanist that genuinely cared about the uplifting of all oppressed people. The following five quotes are words that can easily be applied to the lives of everyone. Afterall, Malcolm doesn’t just belong to African Americans, he belongs to all of us.

1.“We cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves.”
In other words, self love is the best love. Before you start striving for universal acclaim and admiration, start by learning to appreciate your self. Each person is a unique individual equipped with a unique set of talents and skill set. You are valuable. You have something to contribute to the human story. If you continue comparing yourself to others you’ll never reach your full potential.

2. “There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time.”
The keys to your success lies in your struggle! Whatever your present situation may be, don’t give up. The problem contains the solution. Life is an accumulative process. Malcolm went from crook, to pimp, to drug addict, to prisoner, to cultural icon — and that wasn’t a quick or glamorous process. X was a man who learned to capitalize on his shortcomings to become a better human.

3. “Without education, you’re not going anywhere in this world.”
Malcolm X spent nine years of his life in prison. In that time he read ferociously. This man actually went through the dictionary and copied every single word and definition into a notepad. His love affair with reading undoubtedly played a major role in his becoming a world renowned public speaker. With no formal education beyond age 15, even the people who hated him acknowledged his genius. The lesson here to to never stop learning. No matter your level of traditional schooling, life will always present you with opportunities to increase your intellect. Take advantage.

4. “You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.”
If this one doesn’t slap you in the face… At a time when xenophobia and nationalism is at an all time high, these words speak directly to current events. From the internment camps at the U.S. southern border, to the harrowing journey undertaken by migrants across the mediterranean, to the Rohingyas in Myanmar, to the Uighurs in China — many atrocities are being carried out in the name of patriotism. Wrong is wrong is wrong. Be inspired to speak truth to power and confront your present issues in a manner that isn’t more destructive than the original problem.

5. “Don’t be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn’t do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn’t know what you know today.”
At the heart of it, this quote speaks to the compassion and patience we should show our fellow man. Instead of roasting someone for their ignorance, give them the space to grow. These words totally encapsulate the notion of speaking softly to others. When you harp on someone for their faults, you are ineffectively cutting them at the knees confining them to the minute knowledge they presently have.

I hope you’re inspired to pick up a copy of Malcolm’s autobiography. It’s a timeless classic with lessons for every person of every race.