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Malcolm X (May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965), was an African-American activist and outspoken public voice of the Civil Rights Movements in the 60's. He lost his father to white savages. It was not clear who was responsible for cowardly attack but rumors that white racists were responsible for his father's death were widely circulated. He shot to fame when he was featured in a 1959 New York City television broadcast about the Nation of Islam, The Hate That Hate Produced. For the next years, Louise, his mother struggled to support the family. In late 1938 she had a nervous breakdown and was admitted in a mental hospital.
After dropping out of school, he began dealing in drugs, robbery and burglary. Malcolm was released from prison for serving six years. Later, he became the minister of Temple No. 7 in Harlem, there he began to talk about Black Nationalism and self-defense. On March 8, 1964, Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam. After his pilgrimage to Mecca, he visited a several African countries such as Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt and Ghana. His trip to Africa heavily influenced his views on many things including revolution and group economics.
As he was preparing to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity gunmen entered and fatally shot in February 1965. Toady he is a symbol of African militancy, power and bravery. Through his hard work, courage and passion, the sacrifices has paid off liberating millions of people across America and the African continent. He is best remembered by his famous slogan "By any means necessary."
Nelson Mandela (18 July 1918 – 5 December 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid regime and politician. He was born in the village of Mvezo in Umtata. He attended Clarkebury Methodist High School, Engcobo and went to Healdtown. Later, he attended the University of Fort Hare and the University of the Witwatersrand, where he studied law. In the 40's, he joined in the ANC and rose into prominence in the 50's after the ANC's 1952 anti-apartheid Defiance Campaign. Despite the propaganda sponsored by the CIA, he was largely a peaceful man. Mandela was never a "hate" teacher and "terrorist." he said in the 1964 interview: "There are thousands of people who feel that it is useless and futile for us to continue talking peace and non-violence — against a government whose only reply is savage attacks on an unarmed and defenseless people. And I think the time has come for us to consider, in the light of our experiences at this day at home, whether the methods which we have applied so far are adequate."
Mandela shared liberal views on economics and national liberation just like Gandhi and Martin Luther King. After many unsuccessful attempts at beg and "nonviolent protests, he was frustrated at white response. The Nazikaner (Afrikaner sponsored racism) government wasn't willing to give or share power. In the 1964 he was arrested and and sentenced to 27 years along his co-accused comrades. He was released in the late 80's and led the transition to a democratic South Africa. In 1994, he won with a landslide majority and became the first African president in South African history. In December 2013 he sadly passed away and many people around the globe mourned his passing.
It's important to to bring into light other aspects of his life that perhaps were not so heroic. We have to seen the widespread of unemployment, corruption and crime. Some problems in South Africa illuminate from the failure of dismantling white supremacy, also known as apartheid. Mandela's legacy has facilitated the continuation of the exploitation ( neo-apartheid) of the African soul using an African face. "He was at the end of his life also a bitter old man, well aware how his very political triumph and his elevation into a universal hero was the mask of a bitter defeat. His universal glory is also a sign that he really didn't disturb the globe order of power," added Slavoj Zizek.
Martin Luther King (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968) an African-American Baptist minister and activist who was a leader in the African-American Civil Rights Movements in the 60'S. Born to Reverend Martin Luther King Sr., and Alberta Williams King. He attended Booker T. Washington High School and soon was known for his public speaking skills. After winning an oratorical contest sponsored by the Negro Elks Club, he was order to give up his seat for white passengers on a returning bus. He enrolled in Morehouse College and graduated a B.A. degree in sociology. He later enrolled in Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester. His doctoral studies in systematic theology at Boston University earned him a Ph.D.
Montgomery bus boycott was one of the turning points in Dr. King's life. Southern Christian Leadership Conference was founded by King, and other civil rights leaders. Martin Luther King was known as leader for leading the masses, touring across the U.S and around the world, giving lectures on nonviolent protest and civil rights. His stances on "nonviolent" principles was influenced by his Christian faith and Gandhi. By the way, " nonviolent" protests never worked. Even Gandhi was wrong on nonviolence. Violence has a place in the world, if the enemy doesn't want to give or share power. Among his marches, the March on Washington still remains as one of the largest political rallies for human rights in United States history. He delivered the famous "I Have a Dream" speech. the famous passage: I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.'I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.I have a dream today.I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.I have a dream today.
Martin Luther King like Malcolm X were targeted by the U.S government. A congressional investigation described the FBI's campaign against King as "one of the most abusive of all FBI programs." His activism caught up with him in his last days. On April 4, 1968 at the Lorraine Motel, he shot in the face. The last words of the Baptist minister were "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." His death is the statement of the triumph of human spirit. He fought and won his battle. We don't have to agree with his liberal views on self-defense and African nationalism. The F.B.I papers revealed the following about Dr. King: " Prevent the RISE OF A "MESSIAH" who could unify, and electrify, the militant black nationalist movement. Malcolm X might have been such a "messiah;" he is the martyr of the movement today. Martin Luther King, Stokely Carmichael and Elijah Muhammed all aspire to this position. Elijah Muhammed is less of a threat because of his age. King could be a very real contender for this position should he abandon his supposed "obedience" to "white, liberal doctrines" (nonviolence) and embrace black nationalism. Carmichael has the necessary charisma to be a real threat in this way."
The lives of these heroes inspired millions of people into taking action, and fighting for their rights.
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