CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF MALCOLM X!

Malcolm X

The Fifth Sunday of Easter

"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn. 13:31-35)

Monday, May 19, 2025, marks the 100th anniversary of the birthday of Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, in Omaha, Nebraska. Malcolm X is perhaps one of the most influential African-Americans in history – a fact more remarkable since he was assassinated at 39 years old in the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, 1965. The trajectory of his life was shaped by racism in America. His father, a follower of Marcus Garvey, was killed in a train collision. Some say his father was murdered. His mother was declared ‘insane’ by an insensitive social welfare system. He moved to Detroit, and later Boston, and got engaged in drug use, robbery, and other crimes. Arrested and imprisoned, his life was transformed in jail by an encounter with the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam.

Upon his release, he developed into one of the most visible proponents of the Nation, advocating black pride, self-determination, and founding Mosques, such as Mosque #7 in Harlem. After learning of Elijah Muhammad’s sexual abuse of his younger secretaries – Malcolm distanced himself from the Nation and was eventually expelled. He left the Nation, but not Islam. Malcolm visited African and Arab nations, and his life journey took another turn when he went on his pilgrimage to Mecca. Following his 1964 pilgrimage, he declared that in Mecca he saw Muslims of all colors engaged in common worship, and proclaimed the true practice of Islam, and sincere faith in Allah, could enable the races to come together as one. He noted that in ‘Christian’ America, he had never witnessed such racial unity.

Sadly, Malcolm never saw in Christian America what today’s Gospel proclaims. How ironic that the racial unity he saw in Mecca was never visible in Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or any other American city. Malcolm loved black folks in America. At his eulogy, Ossie Davis spoke boldly of his deep love for African-Americans. His love was the basis of his entry into the Nation of Islam, formed the content of his speeches, and was the passion of his life. He told audiences in Harlem and Chicago, ‘who told you to hate yourself?’ (see video) urging them to have pride in blackness. This was a stark contrast to the times when everything black was bad, everything African was savage, and racism ruled books, films, schools, businesses, governments, courts, and indeed, the entire culture of America. In that context, he stood for black pride, black self-love, and black self-determination. 

Malcolm sought a religious faith that would change hearts and heal the scourge of racism. His words, ironically, are a reminder of the obligation to live, in sincerity and truth, in today’s readings. In Revelation, John saw a new heaven and a new earth and heard a voice saying, ‘God dwells with God’s people’. In that same vision, the ‘one who sat on the Throne’ said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ The Catholic faith teaches that the newness, change, and transformation are not reserved for a future heaven; that work is to begin now. Further, the Gospel tells us how that work is to begin. 

"I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another. This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” 

Malcolm risked, and lost, his life out of his love for his oppressed black brothers and sisters. He also loved the faith, Islam, which helped him see that racial unity was possible. Incredibly, even today, sixty years since his assassination, Christianity still falls far short of today’s readings. In particular, the Catholic Church is perhaps as politically divided as it ever was. Almost 60% of white Catholics voted for a presidential ticket that promotes blatant racist nationalistic policies with frightening regularity. Studies show that white Catholics, in general, have awareness and concern for racial justice that some whites without a faith tradition. 

I can almost hear Malcolm say, ‘I see what the readings say, but I also see what the church practices.’ Malcolm X was a prophet, and his message to us today is clear. ‘I love those words about a new heaven and new earth, about loving one another as Christ loved us.’ The words are nice, but I want to see those words in action, not on the page.’  Malcolm’s commitment, love, and life are an urgent reminder for us to make the readings of the 5th Sunday in Easter a reality, starting now, for all people, for the poor of the world.

Author: Daryl Grigsby is a Catholic convert of 25 years, born in Washington, DC, and currently living in Nevada City outside of Sacramento, California. Daryl is in the Diocese of Sacramento and a member of SS Peter and Paul in Rocklin, CA. Daryl is a published author on aspects of Black history. One of his books, 'In Their Footsteps: Inspirational Reflections On Black History for Every Day of the Year,' features brief sketches on 365 well-known and little-known individuals from history. He has also written articles for the National Catholic Reporter.

Please join the Sister Thea Bowman group via Zoom to listen to Daryl Grigsby, the author of "In Their Footsteps." The virtual meeting will be held Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. 

The meeting details can be found here: https://stbasilvallejo.org/open-wide-our-hearts 

Here’s a direct link to the Zoom presentation: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83573057807?pwd=UEt3TktLYVpiSVRCd1JxaUtoWEZFdz09

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