atic and a rabble-rouser?' or 'How could the Black community revere someone who taught hate?'
The answer is because very rarely does a person who speaks their mind without any reservation make it to a radio station or to a television broadcast, or even a lectern for that matter. Their words usually stay within the confines of small social circles like dinner-table conversation, or small talk amongst friends at the grocery store.
Malcolm on the other hand, was one of the few Black men who managed to voice his message via radio, television, live and in person.
This is not the only reason why we honor his memory, but also because he protected us. He was our big brother who we unleashed upon White America to do our fighting for us. He was our guardian who watched over us and kept White America honest.
Last but not least, he was the faithful Night Watchman, who dutifully patrolled the impoverished Black communities of Harlem, New York and throughout Black America, with the street savvy and urban poise of an alley cat, tempered with the keen intellect of a learned scholar.
Indeed he was the genuine-article, the champion of Black self-improvement. With his birthday having passed us by, we can see how he still teaches and inspires many to be better and not accept less than satisfactory conditions within our own communities.