What does 'Malcolm X' mean?

Malcolm X

Later that evening, Kathy and I drove over to the meeting. Just like she had said it would be, the room was packed. We were unable to find seats, so we stood alongside of a wall, close to the podium. Facilitating the meeting was a faculty member. At issue, and being discussed, was why the student’s body found was in the deepest end of the pool when he hadn't known how to swim.

“He was murdered!” said a student. The accusation was repeated by several other angry students. The bedlam of voices threatened to explode into rioting when a faculty member, an attractive and petite woman, took to the podium, raised and clapped her hands for order.

“Let us all try to stay calm.” Her voice was gentle, her enunciation delicately embracing every syllable. “I mourn with you and his family. The faculty has called for a full investigation of the circumstances under which he drowned. Let us wait on the findings before drawing any conclusions.”

I was impressed by this tiny woman’s powerful presence, but more so by her easy use of words, how calmly and effortlessly she was able to string together powerful words that had impact. She reminded me of Butch, of Malcolm X, of all the other people I wished I could emulate. I whispered to Kathy that I kick the butt of any white boy even coming close to a sister. She nodded in agreement. As if he heard my whisper, a student stood and called for physically taking on whoever drowned the student. He was applauded around the room. Again, the faculty member raised a hand.

“Do that and many of you will be arrested.”

I turned to Kathy.

“Malcolm would handle the situation differently.”

The meeting ended with a consensus agreeing to avoid confrontations with white students. Weeks later, the results of the investigation would prove inconclusive. No one was ever charged with the murder.