Addressing Tariq’s Lie that Malcolm X was Rejected in Africa
Tariq Nasheed has pushed a lot of historical myths since he began promoting FBA. One of which is the claim that Marcus Garvey failed to gain traction in the Caribbean. The fact is that Garvey’s UNIA had several branches throughout the Caribbean. Cuba had the second most branches behind the United States and Garvey was elected to public office in Jamaica.
The other lie that Tariq has pushed is that Malcolm was rejected in Africa.
Pay attention to the fact that Tariq used the term “a lot” when referring to the African nations which rejected Malcolm. Malcolm never used the term “a lot.” In his memorandum to African leaders at a OAU conference, Malcolm stated: “Some African leaders at this conference have implied that they have enough problems here on the mother continent without adding the Afro-American problem.” Here Malcolm referred to “some” leaders, not “a lot” of leaders. Malcolm didn’t even list who these leaders were because he was more interested in focusing on the support which he received in Africa.
In Africa, Malcolm met with several leaders. In his autobiography he mentions meeting with several heads of government in Africa, including Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Milton Obote, Jomo Kenyatta, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Sékou Touré. Malcolm also stated that his highest honor was the audience he held with Nkrumah. Malcolm found that it was not just the African political leaders who were receptive of him. In Senegal, Africans stood in line to greet Malcolm. Malcolm recalled: “Never have even American Negro audiences accepted me as I have been accepted time and again by the less inhibited, more down-to-earth Africans.” Of course, Tariq mentions none of that.
The African influence on Malcolm is apparent when one considers that Malcolm’s OAAU was modeled after the OAU. Far from being dejected by being rejected in Africa, Malcolm’s experience in Africa only strengthened his commitment to Pan-Africanism. In the interview below, Malcolm mentioned the positive reaction that he received while in Africa.
In Africa, Malcolm also befriended the Tanzanian revolutionary leader, Abdulrahman Mohamed Babu. The friendship between the two men was so close that one at least one occasion Babu was invited to speak at an OAAU rally.
The irony of Tariq’s remark is that he is doing the very thing which Malcolm fought against. In the interview below, Malcolm mentions that he was told by a senator that Africans were not interested in African Americans. Malcolm completely dismisses this claim. Malcolm exposed the propaganda which was used to divide African people. Today Tariq is now promoting that very propaganda.
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Dwayne is the author of Malcolm X, Bob Marley, and Other Essays.
