BBC Radio 4 2016-05-19

BBC Radio 4 2016-05-19

Today in Berkeley, California, is Malcolm X Day. Schools and other municipal buildings are closed, to honour the1960's, Civil Rights Activist. Malcolm X is a controversial figure in American history - because of his harsh criticism of white power structures. So it is no surprise, that only Berkeley, with its history of counter culture, and progressive politics, respects Malcolm X with a day-off work.

Malcolm X is being honoured for his political leadership. But what he taught me, is the importance of a connected analysis of society, in the quest for justice – to recognize the overlap of issues of race, class and gender discrimination.

In his time, he deconstructed American racism, and claimed, her discrimination against blacks was as natural to America, as eating apple pie. His political vocabulary extended beyond 'race talk' though, and he also challenged economic disparities. On the subject of gender, Malcolm affirmed the importance of the education of African American women, as resistance to gender inequality.

For those embarking on this day, I think the salutation, ‘Happy Malcolm X day,’ is somewhat premature. After all, how can you celebrate the life of one of American’s greatest critics, when the country he challenged, is still struggling to make good on fairness? For instance, in recent years, the Black Lives Matter Campaign, has shone a light on longstanding issues of inequity in the criminal justice system. So what is the best way to celebrate this day and honour Malcolm X’s memory?

According to the Christian theologian, Johann Baptist Metz, the proper way to remember, requires us to cultivate 'dangerous memories'.

Dangerous memories, result from critiquing the past, which lead us to question the stories that our society tells us, stories that say that, things are getting better for 'all of us,' stories that teach us that there is ‘justice for all’.

Dangerous memories are unsentimental ways of remembering the past. They remember those who are often forgotten by society--the poor, the excluded, the so-called worthless. Remembering them, and the injustice they experienced is 'dangerous' in that, when we act positively upon these memories in the present, they can be a powerful demonstration to those who continue to promote injustice. Therefore, in an ideal world, memory always involves action - it entails doing something, as a result of what you remember.

Applying Metz's view of memory to the life of Malcolm X, changes the meaning of his birthday salutation. Happy Malcolm X day is more than a greeting. It is a call to continue Malcolm’s quest for race, class and gender justice.