EXCLUSIVE: To the Editor of the New York PostTo the Editor of the New York Post
February 21, 2009
Dear Editor of the New York Post:
Today is the 44th anniversary of the martyrdom of my father, Al Shaheed Malik Al Shabazz, widely known as Malcolm X. Malcolm X was martyred in a political climate rife with fear, unrest and mistrust. Bullets tore through his chest, arms and legs on February 21, 1965, as he stood against America’s unequal and unjust treatment of its own fellow citizens. And it is appalling that forty-four years later, you choose the mocking imagery historically associated with racial degradation and dehumanization to criticize America’s first African American president.
President Barack Obama signed the economic stimulus package into law. And you, sir, would publish your disdain for the legislation with the image of a dead “monkey” killed by gunmen who disagreed with its politics? President Barack Obama has been receiving death threats by those opposed to his candidacy and to his presidency. And your opposition to him, sir, is pictured as the image of a slain “monkey” killed by policemen who are state actors cloaked with the power and authority of government?
Our nation is faced with grave challenges today that will impact our children for generations to come. And it is expected that individuals will differ as to the aptness or effectiveness of proposed and/or legislated resolutions. Your approach to influencing public opinion, however, is unacceptable and we reject your resort to racism and violence as a legitimate means to further public discourse on the issues. Despite your unreasonable and despicable actions to demean our President, sensible Americans will continue our work with him to rationally debate the issues and to forge coalitions across lines of age, gender, religion, ethnicity and geography to meet the difficulties we all face today.
We will continue to stand together to celebrate another courageous young man of impeccable character and integrity; another humanitarian who would not let racist tactics deter his quest for egalitarianism for all. You see my father, Malcolm X, was only in his thirties when his passionate and eloquent stand for peace, equality and freedom earned him a place in the international campaign against institutionalized oppression. His laudable examples of sacrifice, self respect, dignity and altruism continue to this day to inspire people in the United States and around the world to advocate for justice for all of humanity. The Autobiography of Malcolm X has remained on the all-time best sellers list since its publication after his death in 1965.
And when gunshots were fired on that fateful day forty-four years ago, his wife, Dr. Betty Shabazz, was left widowed, homeless, penniless, terrified and alone to raise four babies and twins with whom she was pregnant. Thankfully my mother would not accept defeat or limitations for herself or her six daughters. And she too became an advocate for social justice. A part of her contribution to the movement—her legacy, was to transform the location of my father’s assassination from a place of sorrow and tragedy into a site of celebration and triumph. And, with help from the State of New York’s Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ), Columbia University, and the community at large, the Audubon Ballroom now houses The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial, Educational and Cultural Center, Inc.
And today, February 21, 2009, the Shabazz Center will proudly, enthusiastically and triumphantly host a celebration for my father’s life and legacy of service to humanity. Today, sir, as your sister and fellow American, I call upon you and upon all people to denounce racism and its deplorable divisive tactics and to emphasize instead the commonalities of humanness that bind us.
Sincerely,
Ilyasah Shabazz
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