In an interview on SIRIUS radio's "Make It Plain" with host Mark Thompson, one of Malcolm X's daughters, Malaak Shabazz, declared her support for Barack Obama -- calling him and his wife Michelle the "present-day" version of her father and her mother Betty Shabazz.
The interview was held at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center located in the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, where Malcolm X was fatally shot in 1965 after his falling out with Nation of Islam leader Elijah Mohammed.
Below is a partial transcript as released:
Dan Janison
SELECT QUOTES FROM THE SIRIUS INTERVIEW RECORDED LIVE THURSDAY AT THE AUDUBON BALLROOM, SITE OF MALCOLM X'S ASSASSINATION
MARK THOMPSON: I can't help but be in this space [Audubon Ballroom] and be somewhat spiritual, emotional even. What is it like being here in this space for you?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: I love it when I see [the] vast variety, the diverse group of people that encompass New York come in here and want to learn about him. The real Malcolm. The real Betty. That's what I like about it. It attracts people. This space.happened in a negative manner but we've transformed it with my mother's efforts.to turn it into something [where] people can learn. ..
.it's like Barack Obama. Don't talk about race.black or white. Let's talk about what we're going to do for the future and have everybody learn.
MALAAK SHABAZZ: I'm sorry. I had to throw in Barack Obama.I just have to.anywhere I go.I say Barack Obama. I like him, and I'm voting for him and that's it.
MARK THOMPSON:.that's a major endorsement.
MARK THOMPSON: The daughter of Malcolm X is endorsing Barack Obama.
MALAAK SHABAZZ: Since day one.
MARK THOMPSON: Have you talked to him? Does he know that?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: No I haven't, but we have mutual people who.we know.I'm sure it won't be.too long.
MARK THOMPSON: But now. here's the thing. And I respect Barack too. And I understand what is going on. I understand what his purpose is in the context.
What you represent, what your parents represent now through you, to a large extent, would be something that Barack's constituency may not quite be able to handle.
MALAAK SHABAZZ: I think so. He has opened the gamut -- from white, black, Republicans, [and] Hispanic. He's got Native Americans voting, and they wouldn't even vote before because they didn't think anything was going to be done for them.
MARK THOMPSON: True.
MALAAK SHABAZZ: The [people in the] 17-29 age group who didn't want to vote are voting. They're coming out in droves. It's the future, not the past. Not that old school.
MARK THOMPSON: You all heard it here first. That Malaak Shabazz has just endorsed [Obama]. Are you speaking on behalf of your family or is this just you in terms of endorsing Barack?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: I'm speaking for myself. I know my sisters.there's 6 of us.at least 4 of them are for Barack, but it doesn't really matter [because] I'm for Barack and I promote Barack Obama.
Malaak Shabazz says Michelle and Barack Obama are the present day Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X:
MARK THOMPSON: I feel we should pick up where your parents left off, where Dr. King left off.in terms of movement politics.
MALAAK SHABAZZ: Barack Obama.
MARK THOMPSON: Really? So that's it?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: That's it.
MARK THOMPSON: Is that right?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: Barack Obama.
MARK THOMPSON: That's enough?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: Actually, him and Michelle remind me of my parents, and what they have to face with children, and with the climate that we're dealing with politically. She's brilliant. My mother's brilliant. He's brilliant. My father was brilliant. And they're still sticking to the community. So, no, they are not Betty and Malcolm. But they are the present day Betty and Malcolm.
MARK THOMPSON: Wow. You all heard it here [on Make it Plain].[is] America ready to elect a black president. Will they vote?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: When are we supposed to be ready? We're ready right now.
MARK THOMPSON: Do you think whites are [going to] come through?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: They already have.
MARK THOMPSON: Even in November?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: They already have. He shocked the world, as Muhammad Ali said. He shocked the world in Iowa. He shocked them in Washington. He shocked them in predominately white states. They didn't see color. They saw the content of his character, of what he represents. And they didn't want the same old same old.
MARK THOMPSON: If Barack Obama would stand on stage with your family the way he stood on stage with the Kennedys that would be a powerful endorsement. That would send a signal that he understands the historical context of our movement. That ought to happen. Is that going to happen?
MALAAK SHABAZZ: I'm not sure. We'll see.
Comments (7)
When Barak gave his retort to Hillary about "Are These Just Words" he didn't mention "By Any Means Necessary". Man this country is in deep doo doo. First he'll talk to Castro, Chavez and the Korean looney without conditions and now he's being seen as the second coming of Malcolm X. Colin Powell your country is calling and the message is HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Colin Powell? You must be joking. This present administration had its opportunity with this once widely to be believed great man, but they chose to emasculate him and to reduce his credibility around the world. He is the one Bush, Chaney, etc, pushed out front to sell the war to the American people while they sheilded themselve. They used and abused this man mercilessly, and he was only too willing to be used. He looked right into the faces of the American people and lied to us. He lost a significant portion of his potential base for this. He will never win an election.
DJ,
The man had an overall career of one achivement after another unfortunately he was drawn into this circle of incompetents. Tell me when we have to deal with the terrorist threat here at home again and we will, Who would you want in the seat Obama or Powell. "We The People" are in a very unforunate position because we have to choose someone and pickins arent looking good in any of the camps.This is not about partisan politics because I'm a registered Dem but what I'm surrounded with scares me. Liberman is the only one in that party with a spine and a common sense and I saw what they did to him.
SJ
Saying a main stream candidate for president reminds them of their father Malcolm X is troubling at best. What next having Sharpton,etal have free entry to the oval office?
The post by Mr. Jackson is on the mark we're in deep trouble as a nation.
so Sharpton is not an American? Only you is an American, with the right to enter the White Hose? What a racist!
I think anyone that has a problem with Ms. Shabazz's analogy of Barack & Michelle Obama to her parents is clearly demonstrating that they know little about Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz. One thing that always stood out for me about Malcolm X is that he was not afraid to learn and evolve, and tell people that he had done so. It is unfortunate that so many people feel that the evolution of one's position or ideas resulting from discovery and new knowledge, labels a person a "flip-flop." That is just ignorant, because discovery and evolution is a part of life. And Malcolm X evolved into a much worldlier mindset of "Brotherhood" than many people give him credit for. When I look at the diversity of the people that have come out to support Senator Obama, I credit him with the same sense of "Brotherhood" that Malcolm realized later in his life.
I heard Tavis Smiley say that "...all Black people want of America is a nation that is as good as its Promise." Its promise of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness! I am certain that this is what Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz both wanted for both their children and the nation. And for those who feel that Malcolm was too aggressive in his efforts to hold this nation accountable for that promise, ask yourself how nice and polite you will be if someone takes your rights and dignity away from you. Barack and Michelle Obama have clearly demonstrated that they want the same thing! “A nation that is as good as its promise!”
Props to Ms. Malaak Shabazz. And to all of you nay sayers, I encourage you to go to The Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center at the Audubon and LEARN about Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz. You may find YOUR evolution to be inevitable, because that which does not evolve punches their ticket to extinction.
Respectfully, Raymond Lucas
Malaak... Im with you. Barack 08. Yeah..Kofi