Spring Break
'MISUNDERSTOOD'
New Views On Malcom X Presented
Andrew Peters
Issue date: 2/2/07 Section: News
Malcolm X was one of the 20th century's most misunderstood figures, according to a prominent African-American Studies scholar who spoke at at the Dodd Center's Konover Auditorium Thursday night.
Dr. Manning Marable, a Columbia University professor, delivered his lecture "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention" to about 100 people. Marable's presentation was a preview of his upcoming biography of Macolm X, which re-examines common misconceptions about the Black Nationalist icon.
Marable was introduced at 7 p.m. by Dr. Jeffrey Ogbar, an associate professor of history and director of the Institute of African-American Studies at UConn.
Marable consistently challenged popular beliefs about Malcolm X's legacy, backing up his statements with exclusive and original "oral history" - extensive interviews he conducted with figures connected to Malcolm X.
"Malcolm X was not a saint," Marable said "Yet despite contradictions and other personal failures, he possessed the potential to unite black America."
According to Marable, a 1965 biography by Alex Haley remains the authoritative source on Malcolm X's life. However, Marable said the biography Haley ghost-wrote for Malcolm X was censored by publishing editors and many facts were distorted or omitted. He contends that his forthcoming biography, which he said will be released in 2009, will set the record straight on Malcolm X's early life, rift with the Nation of Islam (NOI), and eventual assassination.
"Malcolm X was potentially a new type of world leader," Marable said. "Telling that remarkable true story is the purpose and goal of my biography."
Marable began his talk with a graphic and detailed account of Malcolm X's assassination in 1965. Malcolm X, who had changed his name to El-Hajj Malik al-Shabazz since converting to Orthodox Islam in 1964, was speaking at an Organization for Afro-American Unity meeting in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom when a disturbance broke out.
An argument in the audience drew Malcolm X's bodyguards away the stage and toward the disturbance, Marable said. While the bodyguards were preoccupied with calming the fight, three men approached the stage and shot Malcolm from 15 feet away with a shotgun.
Dr. Manning Marable, a Columbia University professor, delivered his lecture "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention" to about 100 people. Marable's presentation was a preview of his upcoming biography of Macolm X, which re-examines common misconceptions about the Black Nationalist icon.
Marable was introduced at 7 p.m. by Dr. Jeffrey Ogbar, an associate professor of history and director of the Institute of African-American Studies at UConn.
Marable consistently challenged popular beliefs about Malcolm X's legacy, backing up his statements with exclusive and original "oral history" - extensive interviews he conducted with figures connected to Malcolm X.
"Malcolm X was not a saint," Marable said "Yet despite contradictions and other personal failures, he possessed the potential to unite black America."
According to Marable, a 1965 biography by Alex Haley remains the authoritative source on Malcolm X's life. However, Marable said the biography Haley ghost-wrote for Malcolm X was censored by publishing editors and many facts were distorted or omitted. He contends that his forthcoming biography, which he said will be released in 2009, will set the record straight on Malcolm X's early life, rift with the Nation of Islam (NOI), and eventual assassination.
"Malcolm X was potentially a new type of world leader," Marable said. "Telling that remarkable true story is the purpose and goal of my biography."
Marable began his talk with a graphic and detailed account of Malcolm X's assassination in 1965. Malcolm X, who had changed his name to El-Hajj Malik al-Shabazz since converting to Orthodox Islam in 1964, was speaking at an Organization for Afro-American Unity meeting in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom when a disturbance broke out.
An argument in the audience drew Malcolm X's bodyguards away the stage and toward the disturbance, Marable said. While the bodyguards were preoccupied with calming the fight, three men approached the stage and shot Malcolm from 15 feet away with a shotgun.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Kim O'Brien
posted 2/03/07 @ 1:26 PM EST
Books containing Malcolm X's speechs are available from Pathfinder Press, College Park, GA.
http://www.pathfinderpress.com
I have posted this for infomational (not profit) purposes only. (Continued…)
Shelby
posted 12/01/07 @ 9:15 PM EST
I don't understand what is "new" about this info about Malcolm X. Everything that I have read has not revealed somethind that I did not know. I feel that this book is going to be pointless and that everyone should just read Alex Haley's life changing "The Autobiography of Malcolm X. (Continued…)
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