On The Bench With Shay

ILYASAH SHABAZZ, PRESERVING HISTORY FOR THE FUTURE 

Ilyasah Shabazz walked boldly into the atrium of the Oprah Winfrey Theatre at The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) Wednesday evening, January 31, 2018.  Her smiled beamed, she was the guest of honor along with her sisters Malaak and Qubilah Shabazz at the premiere screening of the Smithsonian Channel’s Lost Tapes: Malcolm X hosted by the Smithsonian Channel, Comcast, and the NMAAHC.  Shabazz, the third daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz has dedicated her life to social advocacy, preserving her father’s legacy, and educating future generations.  Shabazz is the author of four novels “Growing Up X,” “X,” “Malcolm Little: The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X,” and “Betty Before X.”  The four time author is also a recipient of The NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens.  Now Shabazz can also add fashion designer to her title, Shabazz along with her sisters debuted their fashion line Malcom X Legacy Collection at Harlem’s Fashion Week this past weekend. When Shabazz is not working she is giving motivational speeches at colleges and schools and is a professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. 

In many interviews Ilyasah mentions that growing up she learned about Malcolm X solely as her dad.  It was not until college at The State University of New York at New Paltz, where she learned about her father as a revolutionary and his role in The Civil Rights Movement.  One point Shabazz emphasizes is that her father began his activism at a young age.  His journey began in his 20s and he was assassinated at 39.  Ilyasah Shabazz emphasizes that everyone should live a life of activism and it can start at any age.

Do you think that a leader like your father is able to rise from this generation and step into a role of and lifestyle of activism? 
Here is the thing I am one of those people that think activism should be a way of life. I think that everyone should participate in a role of fighting for what is right. Particularly Black people. I think it is important that we understand our history our culture and our identities.
You mention your father being a young revolutionary, as millennials and young activist how can they contribute to and commemorate your father’s legacy this Black History Month and beyond?
One of the most important ways that we can contribute to my father’s legacy is by honoring our ancestors. We know that history records shows our ancestors or our fore-parents of this country as “slaves.” I think it is important to understand that they were people when they were taken, they had careers, they had families and this is what my father was doing. They had identities and so had it not been for these enslaved African people who cultivated a barren land and turned it into a land of milk and honey so that we can call this place, The United States of America our home. Had it not been for these enslaved people who sacrificed their lives and lived through such atrocities we would not have the opportunity to call this lovely country our home.  If we are not doing our jobs of preserving our ancestors no one will.  It means so much to me personally.
Why does it mean so much to you personally?
How do you bury someone’s life and legacy after they sacrificed so much for us to be here?  I think it is important that we preserve the history that we correct the inaccurate portrayals and do it ourselves as African Americans cause a lot of children do not know they weren’t just slaves, if not meant for them we would not be here today we would not have the opportunities.  Otherwise, if we don’t preserve this history as a Black community no one else will and it means that their lives are just lost in the wind. 
How do you think that preserving our [African American] history will empower children/the next generation?
I think it is important for our children to understand that they are empowered and feel proud of who they are and that they share this information with other Americans so that they can also respect and understand our journey as African Americans. Prior to slavery understanding that we were the founding fore- parents of the civilizations we built those pyramids, we resurrected those monuments, which adorned the continent and now adorn the western part of the world and that all that is a part of our identity.
How do you feel about the term Black History Month?
I think that if our history is worthy of being included in educational curriculum throughout the year, then we would not have to have a Black History Month celebration.  However, considering what we have done and what we have contributed in addition to our history being included in the curriculum then yes it is wonderful to celebrate the significant contribution during the month of February as long as it is regularly included.