This week’s dose of Wednesday wisdom is from a 1963 Malcolm X speech, in which he distinguished between the ‘House Negro’ and the ‘Field Negro.’
He said that the House Negro identified with his master and believed they were alike because ‘he ate the same food as master ate, and wore his same clothes, and he could talk just like his master.’
Over six decades later, Malcolm X’s words ring true. We continue to witness some Africans—leaders, journalists and ordinary citizens alike—willing to betray the fight against colonialism, neocolonialism and imperialism, doing the bidding of their Western masters for a few pennies and privileges. They don’t want the master’s property burnt down.
However, as Malcolm X (1925-65) noted, Field Negroes pray ‘for a strong wind to come along’ when the master’s house is burning. In this speech, he declared, ‘I’m a Field Negro!’
What do you make of Malcolm X’s distinction? Let us know in the comments.
1 Comment
It is very important and necessary for serious black people to make these distinctions whether as Malcolm has put in terms of the field negro and the house negro or in terms of negroes and blacks. The two are not the same. The negro will always work in service of white domination and while blacks work in service of gain power for black people. Hence the negro is an enemy of black liberation as he works in service of the beast. He is even more dangerous than the white man for the very fact that he looks like you