May 19

Today would have been Malcolm X’s 83rd birthday.  It’s kinda strange commemorating his birthday, and King’s, at a point when we could no longer reasonably assume they’d still be alive had they not been shot.  The “what if?” game is officially pointless.  Even hypotheticaly, it’s all about “what now?”
One of the greatest things about the Internet is the wide availability of videos of speeches that were previous hard to come across.  In the last hour, I think I’ve watched more Malcolm speeches than I had in my life up to that point.  And each one offers a glimpse of one of the most amazing people this country has produced, a complex and defiant representation of the black underclass’ attempt to figure out just what the hell is really out there for them.
And goodness, was he fierce!  Without slamming tables or screaming, he spoke with an immeasurable intensity and sincerity.  I watched the clip below and thought, “man, this is what I want to sound like when I grow up.”  I just hope, when I do grow up, I won’t have to say the same things as Malcolm, though I fear that I just might have to.