It may indeed be difficult for some people (even some Black people)
to understand El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (better known as Malcolm X)
The best way that I can describe him as he was in his days before his death is to say that he was truly American--in the most ideal sense of what it means to be an American.
He firmly believed in freedom, justice, equality, and morality for ALL people. And, he believed in manhood and womanhood.
I can relate to Malcolm as the U.S. history books portray Patrick Henry. Patrick Henry was an American attorney, planter and politician who became known as an orator during the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s.
During the colonial days, the White people in the America were not slaves to England, but most of them wanted their independence enough to fight and to die trying to get it.
Patrick Henry is one of them whom I have admired ever since reading his famous speech. Following is the end portion of it:
"What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH!"
To me, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz was just as noble and just as ideally American as portrayed by Patrick Henry in the final words of this great speech.
