Thursday, May 19, 2016, students from New Design Middle School in Harlem took a trip to Hartsdale, N.Y. in commemoration of the El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz 91st birthday celebration. For the past 50 years, the African-American hero has been honored in a special ceremony on his birthday in the form of drums, libation, ceremony and testimonies of his life’s work and mission. This year, three eighth graders from NDMS share their stories on how they were affected by the ceremony:
Jubelkis Diaz
This is the first trip I’ve been on that has affected me this much! When we were asked to sign up for the trip, I signed up to get a day away from school, and even though we were told by Ms. Simmons not to sign up unless we’re really interested, not to simply get out of the school, I decided to sign up anyway. I thought it was going to be a really boring trip and I would fall asleep somewhere along the way, but I was so surprised that it was interesting! I was most moved by the amount of love we received. There was a lady called Sister DeQui who was really emotional when she spoke to us. She was on the verge of tears. When one of us asked her if she was going to cry, she said in a shaky voice, “Yes, because I love Malcolm, and I love everyone who loves Malcolm, and I love you guys. I love you guys for being here to honor Malcolm because he deserves our love!” I felt a connection that I had never felt before. Usually when we go on trips, the people simply say “hi” to us. They don’t welcome us the way we were welcomed at the El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz trip.
Another thing that really affected me was the way in which they trusted us. They did not look for the teachers to control us. They did not worry about us misbehaving. They just asked all the children to come and sit directly around the ceremonial stage. And that felt good because most people expect kids to misbehave. But these people knew that we would be respectful and attentive. So we didn’t even have to try really hard.
Brandon Robinson
I feel really good because I fought hard for us to go on this trip and if we hadn’t gone, I’d never experience something so important. What really got to me was the way the people addressed each other. Everyone was calling each other brother and sister. If I came from a family without love, I’d definitely feel love there. They treated us like we were family and served us water because they knew we were in the sun. I like that they looked out for everybody.
One thing that will remain with me for a long time is the speeches made by the people, especially the one from Malcolm-X’s nephew when he spoke of all the mistakes Malcolm-X made. He said that making mistakes does not mean you’re a bad person. You just learn from them and use that experience to become greater. He said there’s power inside of all of us and all we have to do is use it. It made me think about all the mistakes we make as students and what people think about us because of that. But I know that doesn’t make me a bad person. Like Malcolm-X, I can become a very powerful person too! One question I still have is why Martin Luther King Jr., who has done just as much as Malcolm-X, is not celebrated as much. Anyway, I agree with Jubelkis. I think this was one of the most educational trips I’ve taken in my life and I hope we go again next year!
Luckyria Betts
My name is Luckyria Betts and I am so thankful that I attended the El Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Ceremony because even though I knew about Malcolm-X, I have never experienced going to the graveside and seeing so many people who were influenced by him. Even though I had heard Ms. Simmons talk about it, to actually be there and feel what it was like to pay respect is an experience I will never forget. I cannot explain the connection I felt to all the people. They were so receptive of and respectful to us. It was so good to have them look directly at us when they spoke. They were talking to us, like we were the most important people there. They said we inspired them and they are so blessed to have us and see us so invested in what they were saying. That’s not something we get to hear everyday.
What will stay with me most is the message they gave to us. They said that our ancestors are always there for us and that “we’re standing on their shoulders.” That means we are going to be even better than they were because we have their strength and their wisdom to guide us. That made me feel really comfortable! Sister DeQui also said, “Don’t let anyone tell you that you’re not powerful! The power is inside of you. Just use it!” She said we should not let our mistakes break us because Malcolm-X made lots of mistakes but he learned from them.
I could not believe I was actually looking forward to hear from each elder. It was something powerful to hear and I think if we have more experiences like these, it could change us the same way it changed Malcolm.
The part I enjoyed the most was the original authentic music. I wanted to dance! It was not music I was used to but it sounded so good. It was emotionally heartbreaking, though, to hear some of the things that happened and to know that they’re still happening now, like all the people who are stuck in jail as political prisoners. However, something I will always remember is that if it wasn’t for Malcolm, we will not be where we are today. We should continue to fight because if we don’t, no one will fight for us. “Don’t fight because Malcolm did. Fight so that you can change the future for your children and grandchildren to make this a better place,” was the most powerful message I heard.