Decades after the human rights movement of the 1960s, Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz said blacks are faced with a new enemy: not knowing their heritage.

“To all of you who think Africa is a country, you need Jesus,” were some of Shabazz’s closing words as she spoke to a diverse crowd of NIU students and faculty Tuesday.

She focused her speech on the importance of knowing one’s heritage, pointing out that lack of this important information could be a major contributor to economic and social problems, such as high levels of unemployment and crime among blacks.

Some would likely argue that knowledge of one’s heritage could not logically account for these social issues.

Although Shabazz’s claim may seem to be a stretch, it is wrong to say there is something inherently wrong with blacks that encourages them to act out in these ways.

One’s sense of heritage is a significant part of who a person is. Without it, people find it much more difficult to adapt to the world around them. Lack of history could discourage anyone from reaching their full potential.

Not that this would be the only disheartening factor. Poverty and lack of a strong family structure are also crippling limitations that place their victims at a great disadvantage.

The answer to this moral dilemma, Shabazz said, is to promote a more well-rounded and diverse education.

Educators in the public school system and family share this responsibility to ensure mainstream American culture is not the only thing children are learning.

Shabazz also addressed what she said were common misconceptions of her father, claiming that her father was not a violent man.

Whether he promoted violence is one of the most controversial aspects of Malcolm X’s life.

Regardless, few can deny the significance of this historical figure. As such, it is encouraging to know many people of different backgrounds came to the event.

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