The ABCs of Spike Lee’s ‘X’

Elaine Rivera’s interview with Lee illustrates how popular culture has a dulling effect on the sharp edge of truth.

The need for his movie “Malcolm X” to make money prevented Lee from telling the truth about Malcolm X the man. Lee knows that the genius of Malcolm X is not what he has to say to “all Americans.” Instead, it was that he spoke to his people and for his people. For once, it didn’t matter what white people thought.

Malcolm X was a separatist and black nationalist not because he hated anyone else but because he loved his people--and nobody who loves his homeland or has pride in his race has any right to criticize him. If he has anything to say to the rest of America it is that the white, Christian majority in this nation needs a Malcolm X of its own, someone who is courageous enough to stand up to the inevitable smears of “racist, Nazi, anti-Semite.”

Our country will be stronger when the majority is once again proud of its history, values, faith and culture and willing to stand up and fight for the promise of its future.

TOM BLAIR

San Pedro