On the third day of a five-day pilgrimage to Grenada, economist Dr. Julianne Malveaux chaired a meeting of women to discuss the life of Louise Norton Langdon Little (1897–1989), the mother of Malcolm X, who was born on the island.
The meeting was part of a delegation led by the Institute of Black World 21st Century, principally to commemorate the legacy of Little. Malveaux began by citing Little’s early years in Grenada and her student days, saying that she was multilingual and “she was a good writer, who wrote for Garvey’s publication, ‘The Negro World.’” The lengthy profile was largely based on the biography “The Life of Louise Norton Little” by Jessica Russell, although Hilda Little, her eldest daughter, compiled most of the vital research.
Malveaux, in effect, set the tone for the following events that culminated at La Digue, where Little was born and lived until she left for Montreal. “It was in Montreal that she met and married Earl Little,” Malveaux said, noting that they must have done something more than create a political bond, given their eight children.
If Malveaux left out anything about Little, it was capably filled in on Saturday in La Digue, a mountainous territory in St. Andrew’s parish. Given the distance from St. George’s, the capital (a winding, twisting 20 kilometers deeply embedded in the hills and gullies), you might wonder how Little managed to navigate passage to Montreal. Maybe a portion of the answer can be found in the two recent biographies of her eventful stay among us.
When asked how Little is remembered in La Digue, radio commentator Reggie of STAR 101.9 said she was a remarkable woman and “she left here when she was a very young woman, and as for how I identify her, it’s as Louise Langdon Little.”
Little’s transition from the mountainside of Grenada was perhaps facilitated by her commitment to Garveyism, a point touched on by Dr. Julius Garvey during his speech to the assembly of visitors and residents. He recounted that both his father and Little left the Caribbean for the U.S. “to carry on the struggle for emancipation.” He mentioned that Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” was based on a speech his father delivered.
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“We must continue this fight for total liberation and independence, much as Malcolm X did, and that would be the best way to honor these freedom fighters,” Garvey said.
A long dedication of the sacred ground followed Sister Afia Dawson’s invocation and anointing of the land by Father Hugh Logan. His spray of water often wetted some of the spectators as he blessed the space that belonged to everyone, in keeping with Paulann Paterson’s earlier pronouncements. On many occasions when Dr. Ron Daniels had come to Grenada, Paterson was an indispensable aide in making the arrangements and accommodations of visitors to the states.
The program at the ceremony featured musical performances and speeches, including from New York State Sen. James Sanders; David Abdullah, union leader from Trinidad & Tobago; Monifa Bandele of the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and Movement for Black Lives; Charles Mitchell of the Malcolm X Commemoration Committee; the always stimulating expressions from Kim Poole, a poet/singer; and Schemeeka Simpson of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. Capping off their presentations was a letter from Malcolm’s daughter, Ilyasah Shabazz, read by Baba Akili of the IBW Board, where she blessed the entourage and extended her revolutionary greetings to the people of Grenada.
The resilience of the Grenadian people was well represented by the nation’s Chief Cultural Officer and Dr. Terry Marryshow, who has never missed an opportunity to show his support for Daniels, and a heart-warming message from Terrance Wilson that conveyed the sentiments of the Littles and their extended family.
At the close of the festivities, Daniels, assisted by the Rev. Dennis Dillon, gathered the participants in a collective cry of “Harambee,” expressing their united call for the continuation of revolutionary commitment and reiterating the honor and promise of total liberation established by Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, and Louise Langdon Little.
Thank you for educating me on sister Little. I had no idea she works with the Garvey movement. May her legacy live on as Garvey and Malcolm X has.