Malcolm X at 98: Angela Davis on His Enduring Legacy & the "Long Struggle for Liberation"

The script opens with a tribute to Malcolm X on the occasion of his birth anniversary, discussing his assassination and the subsequent lawsuit filed by his family against various institutions for their alleged involvement. Angela Davis, a renowned abolitionist and professor, delivers a keynote address, emphasizing Malcolm X's enduring vision for freedom and dignity, and the importance of maintaining a united front against systemic injustices. She also addresses contemporary challenges to teaching Black history, particularly by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and the need to expand the narrative beyond the Civil Rights Movement to encompass a broader human rights perspective.

This paragraph delves into Malcolm X's advocacy for a transnational perspective on the struggle for freedom, arguing that the fight for justice must cross national borders and be framed within a human rights context. Davis reflects on Malcolm X's evolution from a national civil rights advocate to an internationalist, inclusive of global struggles for freedom. She shares anecdotes that illustrate his engagement with diverse communities, such as survivors of the Hiroshima bombing, and ponders the under-representation of certain aspects of his legacy in popular narratives, including his internationalism and the breadth of his support.

Angela Davis discusses the profound influence of Black culture, particularly music, on the global struggle for freedom. She acknowledges the resilience and commitment of Black people and their allies across generations to the fight against oppression. Davis also questions the persistence of racism and its normalization, highlighting Malcolm X's understanding of racism's ideological roots and its perpetuation through societal institutions. She shares personal experiences of hearing Malcolm X speak and the inspiration drawn from his oratory and humor in challenging the status quo.

The speaker examines the ideological nature of constructs like gender and race, using the progress made in recognizing non-binary gender identities as an example of how societal norms can change. Davis points out that while there is a growing awareness of the structural nature of racism, there are still those who resist this understanding, including political figures who attempt to restrict education about systemic racism. She emphasizes the importance of learning and education in dismantling these ideological structures and the role of Malcolm X's teachings in inspiring a radical reimagining of societal institutions.

Angela Davis critiques the reduction of racism to individual attitudes rather than acknowledging its systemic and institutional nature. She discusses the historical connections between capitalism, colonialism, and racism, and how these structures have been perpetuated over time. Davis calls for a recognition of the interconnectedness of various forms of oppression and the need for a collective struggle against them, including the importance of solidarity with marginalized groups such as Palestinians and the acknowledgment of the environmental impact of human activity.

This paragraph reflects on the summer of 2020, a pivotal moment in recent history when widespread protests against police brutality and racial injustice erupted globally. Davis emphasizes the significance of this collective mobilization in raising awareness about the structural nature of racism and the need for systemic change. She criticizes attempts to erase this movement from educational curricula and underscores the importance of learning from these events to further the struggle for racial equality and justice.

In her closing remarks, Angela Davis draws a parallel between the potential for societal transformation and the simple yet effective behaviors of nature, such as ants building complex structures without harming the environment. She suggests that there is much to learn from nature about how to coexist and transform our world in a sustainable and just manner, ending her speech on a hopeful note about the possibility of overcoming systemic racism and achieving a more equitable future.