Political philosopher and visionary, husband and father, dynamic orator and militant minister. In his lifetime, Malcolm X was many men.

Born Malcolm Little, May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, He was raised in Lansing, Michigan, where he suffered a turbulent childhood. His father, Earl Little, who was a follower of Marcus Garvey’s United Negro Improvement Association (UNITA), was murdered by the Black Legion, a White terrorist organization. Malcolm’s mother suffered an emotional brake down and the family was broken up. Malcolm’s siblings were sent to live with friends and relatives. Malcolm went to live with his older sister Ella in Boston.

On the East coast, he later became known as “Detroit Red” and “New York Red” — a hustler, drug pusher, pimp, con man and the head of a Boston robbery ring. After spending time in prison, he emerged as Minister Malcolm — Malcolm X, the ?ery, eloquent spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Finally, he became El Hajj Malik El Shabazz, an internationally recognized leader and advocate for oppressed peoples.

At a time when Black civil rights leaders preached harmony and integration, Malcolm preached a militant gospel of self-defense and nationalism that terrified many Whites and disturbed, yet also inspired, many Black Americans. After his travels to Africa and Mecca, he returned with a deeper understanding of Islam and a willingness to accept White allies.

He was both loved and despised, revered and feared — until the bullets from several assassins cut him down at age 39 at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City on February 21, 1965.

This year, 40 years after his death at a tribute ceremony it was announced the Audubon Ballroom is slated to be renovated as a history center that will examine Malcolm’s life and work as a champion of human rights.

“Malcolm didn’t build buildings or pass legislation,” said Rev. Al Sharpton during the tribute. “He taught us how to think. And when he changed our minds, we could build buildings and we could pass legislation.”

The offical opening of the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center is set for May 19, 2005 on what would have been Malcolm’s 80th birthday.

PAC-MAC Spelling Bee set

Several members of the Parent Action Committee on Minority Academic Concerns (PAC-MAC) have been meeting to prepare for up-coming annual spelling bee. PAC-MAC members: Left to right, Seated: Ethel Williams, Fran Walton, Audrey Smith and Celeste Shoulders. Back row: Jason Pacely, Anne Eure and Kurt Eure.

LANSING, MI - The internet is a buzz about the 17th Annual Spelling Bee. The Parent Action Committee on Minority Academic Concerns (PAC-MAC) has turned to the internet to communicate registration and sign-up information for its Community -Wide Spelling Bee slated to be held Saturday, May 21 at the J.W. at Sexton High School Auditourm, 102 McPherson, Lansing, MI, beginning at 10:45 a.m. The parent group has a web site full of information concerning the event and the organization. At www.pacmac.org Spelling Bee participants can register, find a sample of grade level spelling words, preparation tips, PAC MAC history and current member information. PAC-MAC organizer, Ann Eure said, “We have worked very hard to put our sign up information on the internet, but we will also send information to the schools for registration.” There is a $10.00 per student registration fee. The top four spellers in each grade group will receive a “Bee” trophy and a cash prize. PAC-MAC is an organization made up of committed parents, students, and citizens in the Greater Lansing Area. Eure said, “Many of our youth are struggling in school and do not have a positive opinion about the value of education and an alarmingly high rate are dropping out of school. For these reasons, PAC-MAC engages in productive activities to turn the negative statistics around.” Here is the Bee schedule: - Welcome and Opening - 10:45 a.m. Grade 1 11:00-11:25 Grade 2 11:30-11:55 Grade 3 12:00-12:25 Grade 4 12:30-12:55 Intermission/Drawings 1:00-1:15 Grade 5 1:20-1:40 Grade 6 1:45-2:05 Grade 7 2:10-2:30 Pac-Mac will be awarding 2 His/Her Bicycles to a contestant that participates in the Spelling Bee. The grand prize drawing will be awarded at the end of the bee. FOR REGISTRATION AND/OR INFORMATION CALL: (517) 323-4018 or (517) 887-2118 or web site www.pacmac.org