Grass-roots work is not flashy, and rarely celebrated on the national media level, but that is where change begins. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
We have been shaken by the deaths of Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, and Tamir Rice – shaken, but not sufficiently unsettled. We must contextualize those losses, force our neighbors to become so deeply disturbed by what has occurred that they, too, are inspired to act to change the system. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
My father, in 1952, just in his 20s, my father became the chief spokesman for the Nation of Islam. From 1952 to 1959, there were four temples. My father was responsible and credited for having maximized this membership. From four temples to 50 temples, there was so much work involved. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
My mother witnessed the martyrdom of her husband, Hajj Malik Shabazz, Malcolm X, on Sunday, February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. My older sisters, Attallah, Qubilah and I were seated with our mother up front and stage right. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
Betty Shabazz was the wife of a man who challenged a government that was historically unjust. She was harassed and placed under surveillance by the Nation of Islam (NOI), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
My mother persevered through much adversity because she possessed faith in God, self-respect, and an awareness of history; most especially, she was astute in Africa’s significant contribution to world history. Sister Betty refused to live her life as a victim. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
It is our family’s hope that the true legacy and context of Malcolm X’s life continues to be shared with people from all walks of life in a positive manner that helps promote the goals and ideals for which Malcolm X so passionately advocated. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
We were raised very colour blind. I had gone to school and to camp for so long with white people, I think I was like 15 years old before I realised I was black. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
My mother didn’t set out to surround us with white students or colleagues. My mother just sought a quality education. People have these expectations of who they think you should be. And I say it’s because they don’t really understand Malcolm X – or his wife. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
College was where I got to actually experience the difference between black and white. Ilyasah Shabazz Read Quote
