Black History

Malcolm: The Journey from ‘Little’ to ‘X’

It was during the early 1960s that Malcolm confirmed rumors about Muhammad’s adulterous affairs with women and girls in the Nation. Although he respected the order, the deception was painful. Malcolm soon announced his separation from the Nation and spent time on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The experience changed him. After the pilgrimage, Malcolm X developed a new energy and vision: he directed his work toward all races and ethnicities, speaking about human rights, freedom, action, and community building. But soon, rumors of his assassination spread.

Published

2 years ago

December 12, 2021

Oakland Post

Malcolm X. Library of Congress photo.

By Tamara Shiloh

Although brief, Malcolm Little’s (1925-1965) life has a storied history.

He was born in Omaha, Neb., the fourth of Earl and Louise Little’s seven children. Earl was a Baptist minister, and Louise, a secretary. The year after Malcolm was born, the family relocated to Milwaukee, Wis., and then the following year to Lansing, Mich. It was then that Malcolm began to live with the pressures of racism.

The Littles settled in an all-white neighborhood and were sued for eviction on the basis that a “restrictive covenant” prevented their home from being purchased by non-whites. The house was torched and, suspiciously, no fire wagon was dispatched. The family then built a new home in East Lansing.

In 1931, Earl was run over by a streetcar. It was murder to Malcolm, who suspected the Klan’s involvement. After, the Littles fell on hard times, forcing Louise to apply for public assistance. In 1938, she was diagnosed with a mental illness and would spend the next 26 years in a state hospital. The Little children were separated and placed in foster homes.

By age 15, Malcolm moved to Boston to live with his half-sister Ella Collins. Never having seen such a large number of Blacks in one place, he would lose himself in the rush.

Malcolm took on odd jobs including shoeshining, cooking, and bartending. But that wasn’t enough. He became a hustler, drug dealer, and a burglar in Boston, New York, and Detroit.

In 1946, he was sentenced to jail in Charlestown, Mass., for larceny. That was his home until 1952. There he was introduced to the Nation of Islam through his studies of Elijah Muhammad’s teachings on systemic oppression––a life of which Malcolm felt he’d already lived. He was also drawn to Muhammad’s position on another world: one without white people.

It was then that Malcolm Little converted to the Muslim faith, stripped away his “slave” name, and became Malcolm X. On his release, he met Muhammad, began working for the Nation of Islam, and was soon appointed a minister and national spokesperson. But Malcolm’s admiration for Muhammad would eventually crumble.

After the pilgrimage, Malcolm X developed a new energy and vision: he directed his work toward all races and ethnicities, speaking about human rights, freedom, action, and community building. But soon, rumors of his assassination spread.

The rumors became reality on Feb. 21, 1965, when Malcolm X was gunned down in the Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom in front of his wife, Betty, who was pregnant, and their children. Although three men were convicted of his murder the following year, Muhammad A. Aziz and Khalil Islam, were exonerated last month.

Malcolm X’s legacy has long since inspired many in the fight for equality and social justice. His amazing story is detailed in “The Autobiography of Malcolm X.”

Oakland Post

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Black History

Matthew Henson: Explorer Extraordinaire

Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.

Published

1 week ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Matthew Henson (File Photo)

By Tamara Shiloh

Henson’s life began amidst the backdrop of post-Civil War America, where opportunities for African Americans were scarce. From a young age, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond his small town. At the age of 12, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of his life forever when he joined a merchant ship as a cabin boy.

His most famous expedition was his journey to the Arctic with renowned explorer Robert E. Peary. In 1887, Henson joined Peary’s crew as a seaman and quickly proved himself to be invaluable with his skills as a navigator and craftsman. Over the course of several expeditions, Matthew endured extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and grueling conditions as he and Peary sought to reach the elusive North Pole.

In 1908–09, Peary set out on his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. It was a big expedition, with Peary planning to leave supplies along the way. When he and Henson boarded their ship, the Roosevelt, leaving Greenland on August 18, 1909, they were joined by a large group. This included 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, 246 dogs, 70 tons of whale meat, blubber from 50 walruses, hunting gear, and tons of coal.

In February, Henson and Peary left their anchored ship at Ellesmere Island’s Cape Sheridan, along with the Inuit men and 130 dogs. They worked together to set up a trail and supplies along the way to the Pole.

Peary picked Henson and four Inuit people to join him in the final push to the Pole. However, before they reached their destination, Peary couldn’t walk anymore and had to ride in a dog sled. He sent Henson ahead to scout the way. In a later interview with a newspaper, Henson recalled being in the lead and realizing they had gone too far. The group turned back, and Henson noticed his footprints helped guide them to their destination. At that location, Henson planted the American flag.

Henson’s legacy extends far beyond his expeditions to the Arctic. He shattered racial barriers in the world of exploration and inspired countless individuals, regardless of race, to dream big and pursue their passions. In 1937, he was finally recognized for his achievements when he was inducted into The Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research.

Matthew Henson died in the Bronx, New York, on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88.

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Art

Marin County: A Snapshot of California’s Black History Is on Display

The Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Ave in San Rafael, will host the extraordinary exhibit, “The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960),” from Feb. 1 to May 31, 2024. The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

Oakland Post

Early photo of Marin City in the exhibit showing the first department store, barber shop, and liquor store. (Photo by Godfrey Lee)

By Post Staff

The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

All will have the opportunity to visit and be guided by its curator Felecia Gaston.

The exhibit will include photographs, articles and artifacts about the Black experience in Marin City from 1942 to 1960 from the Felecia Gaston Collection, the Anne T. Kent California Room Collection, The Ruth Marion and Pirkle Jones Collection, The Bancroft Library, and the Daniel Ruark Collection.

It also features contemporary original artwork by Chuck D of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Public Enemy, clay sculptures by San Francisco-based artist Kaytea Petro, and art pieces made by Marin City youth in collaboration with Lynn Sondag, Associate Professor of Art at Dominican University of California.

The exhibit explores how Marin City residents endured housing inequities over the years and captures the history of plans to remove Black residents from the area after World War II. Throughout, it embodies the spirit of survival and endurance that emboldened the people who made Marin City home.

Felecia Gaston is the author of the commemorative book, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home: The Story of World War II Marinship and the Legacy of Marin City.’ Thanks to the generous contribution of benefactors, a set of Felecia’s book will be placed in every public elementary, middle, and high school library in Marin.

In addition, educators and librarians at each school will have the opportunity to engage with Felecia in a review of best practices for utilizing the valuable primary sources within the book.

“Our goal is to provide students with the opportunity to learn from these significant and historical contributions to Marin County, California, and the United States,” said John Carroll, Marin County Superintendent of Schools.

“By engaging with Felecia’s book and then visiting the exhibit, students will be able to further connect their knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of this significant historical period,” Carroll continued.

Felecia Gaston adds, “The Marin County Office of Education’s decision to bring the Marin City Historical Traveling Exhibit and publication, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home’ to young students is intentional and plays a substantial role in the educational world. It is imperative that our community knows the contributions of Marin City Black residents to Marin County. Our youth are best placed to lead this transformation.”

The Marin County Office of Education will host an Open House Reception of the exhibit’s debut on Feb. 1 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.. All school staff, educators, librarians, and community members are encouraged to attend to preview the exhibit and connect with Felecia Gaston. To contact Gaston, email MarinCityLegacy@marinschools.org