My Conservatism is Malcolm ... Who's Yours?

When I was in middle school, Dad took me and the family to see Spike Lee's "Malcolm X," the film documenting Malcolm X's story and legacy.

​This was the first time I had ever heard about this Black icon; and yet I remember being fascinated with his redemption story.

This Black man emerged from the hard streets of Boston and New York to become a nationally-recognized voice for Black Empowerment. He was a street hustler, drug dealer, and overall juvenile "delinquent" with the brain power to influence the world.

After serving time in prison, the Nation of Islam (NOI) introduced itself to Malcolm. Captivated by the empowering message, Malcolm converted to Islam and began renewing his mind based on their core principles.
​Malcolm's strong convictions coupled with his oratory abilities landed him a leading place within the Nation. And after serving prison time, he became a well-known Minister in the NOI.

This summary is simply a basic one and does not adequately portray the immeasurable impact Malcolm X had on today's Black America. But I hope it inspires you even a little to explore more about his remarkable story.

In my book, The Fifteen 20 Rise, I open a chapter with this to say about Malcolm X:

"This may be surprising to most Conservatives, but my historical Black hero is Malcolm X. I tend to like heroes that are less popular and truer to their personal convictions. Malcolm X was a 'conservative prophet,' if you will. Now, by conservative, I mean it in the social and moral aspects. Malcolm's politics can't be contained under the Republican umbrella. But his empowering work, which focused on Black Economics and Empowerment, speak to our Conscious Black Conservative message today."

As you may already know, Conscious Black Conservatism focuses on building social, political, and economic empires based on Kingdom principles. In contrast to Malcolm's religious teachings, I pull my insight from the Bible and the Holy Spirit.

But certain principles remain universal, and for that reason, I can see conservatism in Malcolm's speeches and teachings.

Since bringing his words to the conservative space, Beloveds have also learned to see conservatism in his story.

Our Conscious Conservative philosophy encompasses redemption and the Ministry of Reconciliation, which declares we no longer look at each other according to man's perception. Instead, we look at people through the eyes of the Spirit.

This is a teaching I emphasize heavily, because in this last hour, God will use the "least of these" to carry out His purpose.

Malcolm X's story is a lot like what you see in today's Black Culture. To Conservatives, our rappers are the "degenerates" in the communities. The drug dealers are the cause for our communities' destruction. Single Black mothers are the reason our Black families are in peril.

All these stereotypes you hear from Conservative media, yet none of them teach you to see us "through the eyes of the Spirit."

You can't see the Malcolms in our Black men today because you've been told to disregard them altogether. You've been told to listen to the Candace Owens or the Brandon Tatums who tell you, "Black Culture is a joke" or "the majority of Black people are no good ... but I'm one of the good ones."

These are the messages you receive; and for that reason, you can't see how our conservatism is like Malcolm.

You can't see us building our communities, correcting the errors of our ancestors, changing the future for our children, or fostering wholesome conservatism in our Black way.

You can't see how our conservatism is Malcolm when you're bombarded with talking points that have no basis in our Black Excellence or reality.

And as a result, this puts you at war with fellow American citizens.

When I coined the phrase, "My conservatism is Malcolm," I did so intentionally because I knew Malcolm X was like an "enemy" within the White Conservative space.

I intentionally used his image because the best examples of conservatism's powerful impact comes from people whose stories are hard and controversial and scandalous.

When you can see the principles working in the lives of such "degenerates," then you know the values work.

And when the values work, you don't have to resort to talking points that pit you against Black Americans.

And when you're not at war with Black Americans over stereotypes perpetrated by your media, you win an ally.

And when you win an ally, you win on the battlefield of ideas.

This is how you ought to see this political fight.

Your war is not with the Malcolms in our communities. They are working. They are building. They are renewing their minds and strengthening their character for the betterment of our communities.

Your war is with the godless ideologies that cause us to hate one another.

And the only way you can successfully contend in this ideological struggle is when you see people through the eyes of the Spirit and compete intellectually based on the principles.

This day, I am so proud to say, "My conservatism is Malcolm."

I am proud to see more Conservatives removing the blinders and discovering the power of fellowship.

I am proud to see more Beloveds contending for the faith while connecting with people on our core principles.

This is the Movement.

This is Revival.

This is Reformation.

And if we continue the work and merge the Culture with the Intellect, we will be the Renaissance.

Stay blessed, Beloveds.