On September 19, 1960, Malcolm Little (Malcolm X's birth name), a young leader of the struggle for the rights of African-Americans, offered a room to the Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, and a delegation from the Island, who would participate in those days in the General Assembly of the United Nations (UN).
The Theresa Hotel, in the humble neighborhood of Harlem, New York, United States, was the resting place of the Cuban Head of State, and there X met Fidel, in one of the rooms on the ninth floor, after his decision to camp outside the UN building, after the refusal of accommodation in most of the hotels in the city, and the humiliating conditions of the only one that was “available”.
The invitation and solidarity marked a unique and unrepeatable meeting between the two leaders, who, as Fidel said, were united by the same sentiment: “We fight for the oppressed”.
A journalist from the New York Citizen-Call, Ralph D. Matthews, witnessed the meeting and recounted the event.
“For you downtown was like ice. But here it's more welcoming,” X responded to Fidel's greeting.
The ideas led them to discuss, fluently and comfortably, philosophy and politics, to the rhythm of the warm smile and customary gestures of the Cuban revolutionary rebel, and the translation of the interpreter of the Muslim activist, a figure of black nationalism.
The debate also covered the rights of American blacks not to be treated as slaves or inferior beings, and that of Cubans to decide their future without interference.
“Castro is fighting discrimination in Cuba, everywhere,” Malcolm X admired. “You have no rights and you want your rights,” Fidel stressed.
In the room, from what Matthews told, language and differences did not seem to be a problem, on the contrary, it called them to know more about each other, about their thinking and vision of what they both faced.
They talked about the Congolese leader (Patricio) Lumumba, who stood out for his anti-colonialist and anti-imperialist struggle. Fidel said he would support him “energetically”, and Malcolm conveyed his intentions to host him in that same hotel.
The relationship between the United States and Cuba did not cease to be discussed either, both knew of imperialism's thirst for the largest of the Antilles.
“As long as Uncle Sam is against you, you know you are a good man”, X encouraged Fidel, knowing the ‘limping foot’ -and still does- of his government; to which the Commander replied: ‘Not Uncle Sam, but those who control the magazines and newspapers here...’, highlighting the scope and development of the political propaganda practiced by the U.S. media.
Malcolm also commented on his Muslim organization, by then Nation of Islam, “We are followers of (Elijah) Muhammad. No one knows the master better than his servants. We have been servants since he brought us here. We know all his tricks. Do you realize that? We know everything the master is going to do before he knows it himself.” Fidel smiled and nodded.
That was part of his farewell, Matthews recounted, adding the “Viva Castro!” heard from “an enthusiastic Harlem neighbor.”
The meeting in the Harlem hotel became, more than a matter of concern for Washington, a matter of concern for the country, which was undergoing a strong segregationist reaction in which Malcolm X was one of the main protagonists. Five years after that dialogue, on February 21, they paid for his assassination. It was the only way to silence his voice and stop his efforts.
He was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha (Nebraska).
American orator, religious minister and activist.
Defender of the rights of African Americans, and described as one of the greatest and most influential in history.
He became involved in the underworld in Boston and New York, and in 1945 was sentenced to eight to ten years in prison.
In prison he became a member of the Nation of Islam, and changed his last name to X.
On March 8, 1964, Malcolm X publicly announced his break with the Nation of Islam.
He founded the Muslim Mosque Association.
On February 21, 1965, he was assassinated by more than 20 bullets from the guns of three men who approached him while he was giving a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem.
