“We declare our right on this earth to be a man, to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.”
— Malcolm X, 1965
today I am reflecting on the meaning of ‘by any means necessary.’
its Malcolm’s birthday today, and I think of his voice saying those words. at the time he said it, I believe he meant it as it is commonly understood – that we [black people] must be prepared to take up arms if that is necessary to defend our communities and liberate ourselves from the weight of white supremacy.
for me the meaning has evolved as I experience more and more of this world and its layers of oppression. there are a plethora of internal and external dangers to the soul – it is so hard to keep your integrity intact, especially if you long for change, if the current world disappoints you or makes you furious.
I feel like it has become easy for us to occupy our rage without moving into action. and it has become easy for us to get angry and self-righteous without really asking what is needed in that moment.
what if what’s needed isn’t sexy, intimidating, violent…what if what is needed is forgiveness? the kind of forgiveness that seems unimaginable, miraculous, holy, unattainable. like forgiving those who hurt you, hate you, building relationship with those who kill your children?
what if what is necessary is trusting people beyond their mistakes and shortcomings, trusting their best intentions – are we strong enough to default to trust at a community level?
what if what is necessary is learning to see family where you have seen enemies? what if what is necessary is not strategy, not plans, not dollars – just unconditional love?
are we able to be that militant? i want to be militant enough to admit i am changing and growing and don’t know the answers.
my sister is about to have her second child, which has me contemplating and researching birth and labor again. after aiyana’s death I was thinking of how quickly you can violently kill someone, versus how long it takes to create and birth someone. i find a small but awe-inspiring hope in the realization that giving life and love is harder work than taking it. giving life and love and forgiveness and creating family – those are the behaviors to engage in to step into the miraculous.
as we strive to free ourselves, to uplift ourselves, to transform ourselves and our communities, let us consider what ‘by any means necessary’ looks like in practice for us now – especially if the outcome is unknown, immeasurable and unconditional; even if the means, at this moment, is militant love.
