On December 1, 1963, just days after President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Malcolm X made his now-infamous remark that the tragedy was an example of “chickens coming home to roost.” His words, delivered in a speech in New York City, were not an expression of joy over Kennedy’s death but rather a sharp indictment of America’s long history of racial and political violence. He argued that a nation built on oppression and bloodshed could not be surprised when that same violence turned inward.
Malcolm X saw deep irony in the country’s collective mourning for Kennedy while remaining indifferent to the brutal murders of Black leaders and activists. He pointed to America’s pattern of tolerating—if not outright encouraging—violence against Black people through lynchings, assassinations, and police brutality. The shock over Kennedy’s death, in his view, was a selective outrage, reserved only for the powerful and privileged while Black lives remained disposable.
His words, though controversial, carried an undeniable truth: a nation that fosters hatred and division will ultimately reap the consequences of its own actions. This sentiment is just as relevant today as it was in 1963. America has long been a country where political and racial animosities fester, often ignited by the very forces that claim to champion democracy and unity.
Many who once championed the rise of the 47th President now express deep regret, realizing too late the consequences of their support. But just as Malcolm X did not sympathize with America’s sudden grief over Kennedy, there is little sympathy to be had for those who, blinded by xenophobia and propaganda, helped usher in a leader whose rhetoric and policies have placed the nation—and the world—on the precipice of disaster.
To call this situation “a day late and a dollar short” would be a gross understatement. Millions aligned themselves with an ideology rooted in fear and division, failing to recognize the long-term ramifications. Their complacency and willful ignorance have led the country into unprecedented turmoil, setting the stage for global instability.
Yet, history has shown that African Americans have always endured. For over 400 years, we have survived and resisted, often treated worse than animals, denied the most basic human rights, and forced to fight for every inch of progress. Through it all, we have not only survived but thrived, shaping culture, politics, and social movements in ways that continue to define the world.
The policies of the current administration may bring hardship, but they will also forge unity. In times of oppression, Black resilience has always been our greatest weapon. What was meant to break us will only strengthen our resolve. Across America and beyond, a new era of collective action is emerging—one that will not only challenge injustice but dismantle it.
Malcolm X’s words were not just a reflection on his time but a prophecy for the future. The violence, hypocrisy, and division that America fosters will always return home. But for those who have always stood on the front lines of history, survival is nothing new. We are going to be all right.
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