As we celebrate what would have been the 95th birthday of Malcolm X or El Hajj Malik El Shabazz we are in the midst of a global pandemic and an even more intensified War on Black America. Malcolm, as a leader further blazing our path to liberation and self-determination, left us with many political lessons. Today as we honor him, we consider three to assist us in this moment.
In reference to the economic and political system in the U.S. he made these observations: “You can’t have capitalism without racism.” And, “You can’t operate a capitalistic system unless you are vulturistic (…) You show me a capitalist, I’ll show you a bloodsucker.”
The response of US government to the Covid-19 crisis pulls back the covers on the system of exploitation that is willing to sacrifice thousands of people by exposing them to the virus in order to maintain profits for the corporations. Those in the cross-hairs of this attack are primarily Black people who occupy the ranks of the so-called essential workers in transportation, sanitation collection, delivery, grocery, healthcare and meatpacking to name a few. So, our struggle is to resist going to work in unsafe conditions without proper equipment and hazard pay.
But our struggle has to envision and prepare to fight for the kind of society that we want and must have to survive with dignity and prosperity. And as Malcolm taught, and as is clearer than ever today, it cannot be capitalism.
The second observation from Malcolm that demands our attention is internationalism. He re-centered our struggle here in the US. as part of a world-wide struggle of the oppressed against the barbarity of colonialism and imperialism. Our liberation struggle, he urged, has to align with the struggling people of Africa, Asia, Latin American, the Middle East and the rest of the African Diaspora.
In today’s conditions we are then compelled to oppose the deadly sanctions against Cuba, Iran, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. And as Malcolm advocated, we must defend the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination including the right of return to their lands seized by the settler colonialist in 1948. The crime continues today with Israeli Zionist settlers grabbing Palestinian lands in the West Bank.
And finally, if we are to beat back the racist and fascist tide washing over the country, we must build a united front of all those who oppose the administration of 45. When asked if he intended to collaborate with such other groups as labor unions or socialist groups or any other groups he responded: “We will work with anybody who is sincerely interested in eliminating injustices that Negroes suffer at the hands of Uncle Sam.”
So today, in Malcolm’s name we fight to defend against the right-wing militias threatening state and local governments, against the premature opening of the economy, for safe work, financial support for the unemployed and Medicare for All. This is the fight for Self-Determination in this moment.
