Malcolm X's Eldest Daughter Atallah Shabazz Speaks to Students

Last Monday Malcolm X's eldest daughter Atallah Shabazz gave a speech to students at California State University of Northridge after a short viewing of the documentary "Malcolm X: Make it Plain." The event which was well attended took place at the schools University Student Union. It was hosted by the Muslim Student Association as well as the Black Student Union and the CSUN chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Shabazz let the audience get a glimpse of how her life was growing up as she shared her fondest memories of her father. Shabazz explained that the Malcolm that everyone saw after his pilgrimage to Mekka was not a new Malcolm. She explains that for those that knew him he was the same Malcolm. It was the first time that he was not governed in his speaking by the Nation of Islam.

"I am now not just the daughter of Malcolm X ...I am the daughter of Dr. Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X Shabazz and I'm now without them, that is very real."

Shabazz stated that it is because of her mother who was a teacher that she continues to share. She explained that her mother "stayed with the commitment, even though it wasn't what she initially married. She married the man...she married the commitment. When the man was gone she was still dedicated to the

man."

Shabazz said that her mother was not a widow. That she was dedicated to the oath that her and her husband took together. Shabazz urged the audience to look at what is happening to people in other places. "Don't you realize when Islam is not the issue anymore you're still being profiled...you're not of the list," Shabazz said.

Shabazz discussed her knowledge of Feb. 21st the day of her fathers death as a day that her family was stocked. A day that for the audience member is just another day. "On that day there were five members of the Nation of Islam who killed my father," said Shabazz.

"You know your people...this was recognizable members of the Nation of Islam," Shabazz added.