By Any Means Necessary

Malcolm X - May 19, 1925 - February 21, 1965

"By any means necessary".

Everyone knows that quote, but few understand it's meaning.

Does it mean to kill one's oppressors? Maybe.

Does it mean to work with one's oppressors? It could mean that too.

Does it mean to evolve and progress in a manner that has minimal regard for past mistakes or one's current condition? I'd say yes.

Malcolm seems to be loved by those who hate Martin - but hated by those who love Dr. King.

The two were really seeking the same ends. (They just had different philosophies of how to go about bringing these ideals to fruition.)

If Martin was a jab to the nose - Malcolm was a solid overhand right to the temple.

Both punches are needed in one's arsenal.

If in the beginning, Malcolm could be seen as being against anything "white" - his later life should be seen as against anything oppressive.

Malcolm (unlike many today, who pander between the races) learned, grew and evolved.

The color of one's skin was no longer a big enough issue.

Where one was from wasn't a big enough issue.

Race wasn't a big enough issue.

Oppression was the issue.

But Malcolm also understood that Blacks should take more responsibility for their own well being.

Malcolm X - "The white man is too intelligent to let someone else come in and gain control of the economy of his community.

But you will let anyone come in and take control of the economy of your community, control the housing, control the jobs, control the businesses... .

No, you're out of your mind."

Malcolm didn't preach the philosophy of being the victim.

Malcolm spoke of taking action.

Of taking responsibility.

But how was this (most important) message lost?

"By any means necessary."

Does that mean waiting for reparations that will never come?

Or whining about past wrongs?

Or blaming one's current condition on other's mistakes?

Or limiting one's future to their past experiences?

No.

"By any means necessary!"

But what is necessary to increase the odds in our favor?

Two parent households are necessary.

More Black males graduating from high school (and going on to finish college) is necessary.

Being more influenced by the Bible (or Koran or Torah...) than Tupac is necessary.

Getting rid of the belief that a "ghetto pass" or "street-cred" is needed to be truly Black is necessary.

Doing away with the over reliance on victimolgy is necessary.

Holding Blacks accountable is necessary.

It seems to me that more is necessary from us than from "them".

P.E. said to "fight the power".

I say to become the power. (Although not in a jealous, selfish or oppressive sense.).

I say that we need to stop whining about the past problems, and instead, work on ways to solve those problems.

Malcolm X - "Power never takes a back step - only in the face of more power."

Malcolm X - "The future belongs to those who prepare for it today."

(To all those who insist upon focusing on problems and not the solutions - Go ahead... call Malcolm an "Uncle Tom" too.)