Malcolm X and Our changing world.

March 20, 2015

In February I was listening to CBC Radio as I was trolling through the back roads of Harrison Mills, BC, just outside Greater Vancouver, in my beat up Honda Civic. As I listened I realized that I was more interested in what was coming through my speakers than what I was seeing through my cracked wind-shield. Instead of driving mindlessly I decided to stop.

I pulled over next to the railway track bridge where it embraced the Fraser River. Across the tracks was an abandoned old cobblestone house, one wall left standing, probably from the turn of the century, the last century. The river rolled by me on the right, and I sat there and let the picturesque history wash over me, and from my speakers I heard another voice come through loud and clear from an era long gone.

There I sat. CBC is such a magical thing; it reminds me of being nestled in between my mother and my grandmother, driving in a snow storm, ironically in the Fraser Valley, one Christmas. The snow was howling, the radio was on, telling some old time Christmas Story. I was nestled between my bony mother, and the folds of my grandmother’s girth.

What I remember about that moment was the sweet comfort. Today what I know that feeling to be is safety. Now with all of them gone, when I reach for that radio in the car, on the bed stand, often I wonder what is going to leap out at me. Will I be taken back to that place of safety, contentment? Will I have just one more moment of peace?

On this cool February afternoon it was an uncut interview from 1963, by one of the great leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in North America, Malcolm X.

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/rewind/an-uncut-interview-with-malcolm-x-part-one-1.2969067

He was a great man. What I mean by great in this context is that he was a man that lead leaders. He had conviction, and it inspired others. I may not always believe in ones convictions, but it does take a great man to have any conviction at all.

Not all may believe in what he touted. He believed what he believed, and no one, was going to tell him to sit down and shut up. Not for one more day. A great man in my mind, is a man that is willing to listen to the other side. When he does not agree in their process or how they live their lives he chooses to separate himself until he can see otherwise. He did these things. He had an understanding of who he was and what he wanted. This was not and is not always easy in this world we live in.

Parts of the interview are hard to listen to, I cannot lie. I found some sections difficult, because even now I do not want to believe the hate that was bread into our culture on this continent over the years. I do not want to believe that there is hate always just simmering below the surface, and he talks openly about this. What he points out is how can it not be there. "After 400 years of atrocities committed to one race, we do not have to teach the black man to hate, the black man hates."

This is a summary of one of the statements he made regarding the interviewers question about Islam teaching the black man to hate. Malcolm X was a converted Muslim. He then went on to talk about how Islam actually wants to teach the black man to love himself, as what has been cultivated in him throughout history is hate. How could he not hate was Malcolm X's view point.

When we are looking to heal a darkness we have regarding someone or something else it is often essential to first look to self for forgiveness. These are my beliefs. I appreciated what Malcom X had to say. Self love could be what all forgiveness and love of others is built on. His statements making sense to me. He was logical and talked about a separatist movement. The idea of separatism saddens my soul in places I will never be able to explain. Yet I understand the logic of wanting to be separate, I truly understand. I know what torture is, and I know that if it does not stop you just want to be a part from those inflicting you pain. So yes I can understand, but yes it makes me sad.

The interview was recorded in 1963, Malcolm X shortly after left the religion of Islam, and became a Sunni, and was promptly assassinated by The Church of Islam. Why does what we love kill us? Again this saddens me. It could anger me, but it does not. Pedma Chodron talks about anger. She says that what lies under our anger is fear, and if we look a touch deeper we will find our sorrowful joy of enlightenment. I guess that is what is going on for me. For it is the truth, and I am sorrowful, for what we love kills us, but there is a soft smile that lies across my lips.

So I left the river bank, accepting of where we are in this world.

I made a point about a week ago of listening to both segments of Malcolm X’s interview. I am glad I did.

Now to take what I learned and apply it to our crazy changing world. It is very similar to many of my other statements of the need for unity and community, but I need to say it all again, if only for myself.

So many things are going on in our world right now involving race and religion, and I somehow want to take the world in my arms and say it is all going to be OK. We will make it. And the terrifying part is I cannot. No matter how big I grow, how strong I am, or how much power I ever accumulate in my life the sad part is I alone will never ever be able to make it all alright.

I know... an awakening I should have had before 40 and one that I hope to forget soon. I only hope to forget. Once we realize we only have so many fingers to plug the holes in the boat, and that there are still people insistent on poking more holes it can sometimes diminish the ecstasy of being goal orientated. I will not forget though, nor will I allow it to dampen my water logged soul. Constructive problem solving these days is an art.

Finding Our New Normal. The name of my blog. Solution based. Where is the solution in this? Where is the healthy thought reaching its head out over the clouds?

We need the middle, more desperately now than we ever did. We need to remember that it is not just their stuff. Although the separation from others problems keeps us safe, and allows others to be responsible for themselves, which in itself can be empowering, we need to remember. We need to remember that at one point in all of our lives we wanted to make a difference, and if we did not want to, then someone should have taught us better. And the truth is we have all at one time wanted something better.

No matter who you are, in some way, you at one point wanted to make something different or better for another. Does it have to be by dropping a bomb, or shooting a police officer. Can't it be by opening a new youth centre, or helping the old lady across the street. It might sound trite, yet I believe it to be true.

And if we look deep inside of us we will find it is not only the black man that seeks freedom. I know my skin has a nice pink hue to it, and I at times and surrounded by bars, if only in my mind.

Here is to our changing world this morning. To the solutions we can find on this Friday.

I myself am packing my bags up after a very enjoyable, stay in Harrison Mills and Hope, BC. I have come full circle in some ways, relearning lessons that I had forgotten about myself and others. Not a bad thing, just part of the adventure. New wounds, new joys, and new beginnings.

I am honored to have been a part of the dance in this valley over the last two months. It was an interesting place to be after the death of a parent, and today I take my journey to the East. I am off to the Rockies to again see old friends. A blessing, old friends. Whether you always agree, whether you fight, or whether they are just there to give you that hug that reminds you you have a place in the world. What they are is real. And what we are all doing is the best we can. May we all remember this today on this gorgeous Friday.

I might have more to say about this interview, but I thought it was important to get a blog done before I headed out this AM.

For those of you that took the time to read this, thanks. If you get the opportunity to listen to the radio piece, there is a link embedded I would love to hear any comments or feedback. I hope you all have an excellent weekend.