Malcolm X Speech: After the Bombing

On February 14, 1965 one of the most dynamic and intriguing speeches was delivered by one of the most captivating and charismatic leaders in American History. The speech was the After the Bombing Speech at Ford Auditorium and the speaker was Malcolm X. Through this speech Malcolm was able to show how strong willed and determined he was in helping the African Diaspora form unity and how Islam could serve as a medium for doing so.

The night before the speech, Malcolm's home was firebombed. Malcolm had to rush to save his family while leaving behind all valuables and material items. He traveled across country to Detroit, Michigan from Elmhurst, N.Y. to deliver his speech with confidence and determination, despite the fact that his home was destroyed. This event alone showed how courageous the speaker was and how nothing could stop him from him from speaking except for death alone.

Malcolm was unwavering in finding a solution to bring unity within the African Diaspora. He traveled throughout the world trying to find a common ground for all people of African descent. He was successful at organizing a branch in an African country called the OAAU (Organization of Afro-American Unity) with other African-Americans who were striving for the same goals. He visited other African countries where he helped to unite other African-Americans in order to make them aware of their responsibilities to those who were still in America. He knew that it would be hard to get past the many imperialistic governments who were afraid of a Black Revolution, however, he persisted in his cause hoping to find a result.

Malcolm X believed in one supreme creator of the universe, Allah (God), and all of God's messengers including: Adam, Noah, Moses, Abraham, Jesus, and Muhammad (peace be upon them). He believed that the religion of Islam could help wipe out the racist views of the world and open doors to brotherhood amongst the nations. He stated that he was not a racist and that he did not believe in any form of racism or racist views. He confessed how the Nation of Islam had him fooled into believing that all white people were evil and that they could never be Muslim.

However, he was surprised to learn that upon visiting the city of Mecca, located in Saudi Arabia, he had a chance to sit and talk with Muslim brothers with skin that was white and eyes that were blue. He says with vitality "the Muslim religion has eliminated all tendencies to judge a man according to the color of his skin, but rather the judgment is based upon his deeds." Malcolm fought to preach the truth through this speech even though his life was threaten only a day before.

Malcolm X was a strong-willed individual who was not afraid to overcome the tyranny and oppression that had been present against the people of African descent. He wanted more than anything to have the people of the African Diaspora rise and gain unity by accepting the brotherhood of Islam.

Reference: Abdul, Alkalimat, ed., (1999) Malcolm X: A Research Site [online]. Twenty-First Century Books, University of Toledo. Available at: http://www.brothermalcolm.net [accessed 01April, 2006]. Ali, Norman. (2000) Malcolm X [online]. Available at: http://www.malcolm-x.org [accessed 01April, 2006]. Harberman, Barbara. (2003) The Official Site of Malcolm X [online]. CMG Worldwide. Available at: http://www.cmgwww.com/historic/malcolm/index.htm [accessed 01April, 2006].