New Malcolm X and Martin Luther Jr,. Series
Courtesy of New York Public Library
There is a new National Geographic's Genius anthology series coming out on Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. I decided to share food related content from my archives in anticipation of the series. Today we start with Malcom X . Throughout The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X (1925-1965) talks about food in one way or the other. Our food options are indications of our culture, income, and status; that certainly is the case when reading what Malcolm X had to say about food and his observations about food.
Lansing Michigan 1930s:
“The bulk of the Negroes were either on Welfare, or W. P. A. or they starved. [W]e were much better off then most of the town Negroes. The reason was we raised much of our own food out there in the country where we were. Not only did we have our big garden, but we raised chickens. . . I loved [having my own garden plot] and took care of it well. I loved especially to grow peas. I was proud when we had them on our table.” I love the above passage from the Autobiography of Malcolm X because it delves into Malcolm most don't know. The guy loved gardening, worked in the food and entertainment industry, and talked allot about food as a spokesmen of the Nation of Islam. The organizations leader Elijah Muhammad wrote two books, How to Eat to Live, volumes I and II, published in 1967 and 1972. Muhammad told his followers to abstain from all remnants of the rations masters gave their slaves because the slave diet caused premature death for those stayed on it. He especially condemned garden produce seasoned with pork parts like ham hocks.
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New Series on Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
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