El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X) was assassinated 46 years ago on February 21, 1965, because of his attempt to internationalize the struggle of African people inside the United States.
"We have inherited a great music. This music is a holdover. It comes with us like the skin, the texture of our hair. It’s our memory banks.” - Abbey Lincoln.
Black History Month must be updated for the 21st century. February should be the month that we re-double our struggle against imperialism and white supremacy, and for reparations for slavery, the slave trade and colonialism.
The legendary Etta James was high on Belvin. She bluntly called Belvin, "The most gifted of all...even now I consider him the greatest singer of my generation. Rhythm and blues, rock and roll, crooner, you name it. He was going to be bigger than Sam Cooke, bigger than Nat Cole."