LISTEN LIVE!
HAVE YOUR SAY: 02071930174
21st of February marks Anniversary of the Assassination of Omowale Malcolm X – the ‘Godfather of Black Power,’ and most prolific Black Nationalist Pan-Afrikanist Leader and Organiser since The Most Eminent Prophet & King – His Excellency: Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
Omowale Malcolm X rose, from a self-confessed “extreme delinquent” and streets Hustler, to a die-hard Revolutionary, organising the same streets in the spirit of Black Liberation & Afrikan Pride. His work and impact thus stands as a prime example of the Power Potential of Black Manhood, the greatest threat against the forces of White Supremacy, that effected his assassination.
In light of this, it is only right that due honour and respect is I-tinually conferred on the name of Omowale Malcolm X. This will take place at the annual Omowale Malcolm X Observance, on Sunday 26th February 2017, from 1pm to 8pm @Chestnuts Community Centre, 280 St Ann’s Road, N15 5BN London. This free event includes Malcolm X film show, special libation and two keynote messages on the theme Black Wealth, Key to Black Power from The Black History Man, Bro. Robin Walker and author (The Secret Money Manual), management consultant and recording artist Cipher J.E.W.E.L.S. (https://www.alkebulan.org/omxobservance/).
The observance is preceded, two days earlier on Friday 24th, by OMX Storm – the Black Music Revolution is in progress, also at Chestnuts Community Centre. OMX Storm, an event that blazes a trail for Black Power artistry like no other, offering the best in Black revolutionary Edutainment. Through honouring the legacy of Omowale Malcolm X, OMX Storm continues to build the platform for MC’s, Vocalists & Poets with an uncompromising message in their music. This year’s line-up includes: Jahaziel, Nat Nye, Teshay Makeda, Namz Maitreya Ebonaé, Heru of Asheber & The Afrikan Revolution, Uncle B.L.A.K (Malik Sankara) and Psyche Diplomat. The doors open at 6pm and tickets are £7 in advance (more on the door – https://www.alkebulan.org/omxstorm/)
Part of paying tribute to Omowale Malcolm X should include the continuation, if not the fulfilment, of his mission. We have tried to discern the nature of that mission in our last two shows and those shows demonstrated anything, it’s that there is much work to do to get to some kind of consensus.
Omowale Malcolm X was regarded as traitor by some, who achieved nothing when he left the Nation Of Islam (1). By others he was regarded as an honourable orthodox Muslim and has even been used as a propaganda trope by Al Qaeda. (2) Although militancy is an attribute still attached to Omowale Malcolm X, this is often as part of a false dichotomy with Rev. Dr Martin Luther King Jr, even though there was more convergence that many are aware of. (3) Nevertheless because Omowale Malcolm X effected such a striking projection image some have even tried to replicate his image while performing roles like political advisors and community organisers. (4)
But rather than speculate about Omowale Malcolm X’s trajectory in the latter stage of his life it might be more useful to consult those that were there at the time. Elder A. Peter Bailey is one such person. He was a founding of the Organisation of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), the last organisation Omowale Malcolm X founded. Bailey edited the OAAU newsletter, Blacklash and was one of the last individuals to speak with Malcolm X on the day that he was assassinated. (5)
By his own admission Baba Bailey’s introduction to activism in the late 1950s was in the “civil-rights-integrationist wing of the movement” that regarded Omowale Malcolm X as “the bogeyman.” (6)
By chance he managed to hear the then minister speaking outside the Harlem Mosque on 116th and Lennox Avenue in the summer of 1962:
“I felt physically like somebody was pulling layers of [crap] off of my mind. And I went back the next Saturday and the next Saturday and the next Saturday.” (7)
As captivated as he was by what he was hearing, the young activist had no interest in Islam. However, a couple of years later he found himself at the founding meeting of a “new Black Nationalist organisation” – the OAAU. The rest, as they say is history. (8)
In the ensuing months the OAAU assembled an impressive group of activists to put together the organisation’s comprehensive programme, dealing with Self-Determination, National Unity, Reparations (“Restoration”), Reorientation, Education, Economic Security, Self-Defence and statements on national and worldwide concerns. With regards to Economic Security, the OAAU asserted:
“After the Emancipation Proclamation, when the system of slavery changed from chattel slavery to wage slavery, it was realized that the Afro-American constituted the largest homogeneous ethnic group with a common origin and common group experience in the United States and, if allowed to exercise economic or political freedom, would in a short period of time own this country. Therefore racists in this government developed techniques that would keep the Afro-American people economically dependent upon the slave masters — economically slaves — twentieth-century slaves.” (9)
Similarly, the OAAU offered a clear analysis of the political system that still resonates today, even here in the UK, not least among those inclined to mobilise around the “values” of one of the establishment’s party leaders (10):
“We won’t organize any black man to be a Democrat or a Republican because both of them have sold us out… Both parties are racist… We propose to support and organize political clubs, to run independent candidates for office, and to support any Afro-American already in office who answers to and is responsible to the Afro-American community.” (11)
(1) Alkebu-Lan Nommo Event (24/06/16)(2) Mark Mazzetti and Scott Shane (20/11/08) Al Qaeda Offers Obama Insults and a Warning. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950CE6DB163EF933A15752C1A96E9C8B6.(3) James H Cone (1998) Martin & Malcolm & America Orbis Books. pp. 229-235(4) Tony Thomas (2016) Community Organizer: A Story of Community Organizing in London. Reklaw Education Ltd. p. 92(5) Patrick Delices (01/08/13) In New Book, A. Peter Bailey, Recalls His Friendship And Work With Malcolm X. http://www.blackstarnews.com/education/education/in-new-book-a-peter-bailey-recalls-his-friendship-and-work-with-malcolm-x.html(6) David Mills (17/05/07) Malcolm’s disciple. http://undercoverblackman.blogspot.co.uk/2007/05/malcolms-disciple.html(7) Ibid.(8) Ibid.(9) Omowale Malcolm X, et al (1964) Program of the Organization of Afro-American Unity. http://www.malcolm-x.org/docs/gen_oaau.htm.(10) The African Or Black Question (TAOBQ) (034/05/16) Africans For JC Values Conference Provided An Illuminating Experience. http://taobq.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/africans-for-jc-values-conference.html(11) Omowale Malcolm X (1964) Excerpts from OAAU Founding Rally. http://www.panafricanperspective.com/mxoaaufounding.html
So we ask the question:
Where was Malcolm X heading?
1. Will you be attending the OMX Storm and Observance on 24thand 26th?
2. Is Black wealth really the key to Black Power?
3. How can we get a clear understanding of the true legacy of Omowale Malcolm X?
4. Does the OAAU economic and political analysis still apply?
5. What kind of formation would Omowale Malcolm X be involved in today?
Our very special guests:
Bro. Ldr. Mbandaka: Resident guest who is Spiritual Leader of the Alkebu-Lan Revivalist Movement and UNIA-ACL Ambassador for the UK and national co-Chair of the interim National Afrikan People’s Parliament. Bro. Ldr is a veteran activist of over 30 years standing, a featured columnist in The Whirlwind newspaper and author of Mosiah Daily Affirmations and Education: An African-Centred Guide To Excellence.
Bro. A. Peter Bailey: is an acclaimed Journalist, Author, and Lecturer. He was a founding member of The Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), organized in 1964 by Brother Malcolm X. Bailey was editor of the OAAU newsletter, Blacklash. He was one of the last few persons to speak with Brother Malcolm X on the day of his assassination (February 21, 1965) and served as one of the pallbearers at his funeral. Bailey, a former editor of Ebony magazine, is the author of Witnessing Brother Malcolm X, The Master Teacher:A Memoir, co-author of Seventh Child: A Family Memoir of Malcolm X with Rodnell P. Collins (nephew of Malcolm X). He assisted John Henrik Clarke with the editing of Malcolm X: The Man and His Times. He has also contributed articles to numerous publications including Essence, Black Enterprise, Jet Magazine, the New York Times, the Negro Digest, Black World, The Black Collegian, and theNew York Daily News.
Hear weekly discussions and lively debate on all issues affecting the Afrikan community, at home and abroad. We talk it straight and make it plain!
ASwA Hosted by Sis Kai Ouagadou-Mbandaka and Bro ShakaRa
CLICK HERE to view latest AFRIKA SPEAKS show details. Leave a comment and contribute to the discussion.
Afrika Speaks with Alkebu-Lan
Galaxy Radio | 102.5fm | http://www.galaxyafiwe.com (To listen live)
HAVE YOUR SAY: 02071930174
MONDAY 8pm-10pm
International Listeners:
4-6 pm Eastern Caribbean Time
12-2 pm Pacific Standard Time
1-3 pm Mountain Standard Time
2-4 pm Central Standard Time
3-4 pm Eastern Standard Time