The importance of Malcolm X as a black leader and the role of women as forces in the black community were the topics of discussion Friday night when the Pan-African Support Group held a forum at Charlotte Amalie High School.
It was part of the group’s 27th annual celebration of African Liberation Day.
Pan-African Support Group member Felicia Blake said that African Liberation Day is a time to think about the struggles of people of African descent the world over, and make steps to move them forward.
“We should never shy away from the opportunity to discuss our world,” she said, noting that women often gather to discuss their families and personal lives, but not politics. “Sisters must step up and accept their role in the battle for liberation.”
Blake led participants in a ceremony during which she called out the names of important and powerful black women who have passed on. She said the African tradition asks for the strength of those people to continue on in the people who are still living. She noted that civil rights activist Dorothy Height and singer and actress Lena Horne are the newest notable women to be included in the ceremony, both having died recently.
Friday’s event began with the viewing of a documentary on the life of Malcolm X. Pan-African Support Group member Kleba Ola-Niyi made a short presentation outlining what Malcolm X stood for – such as spirituality, respect for women and dedication to the cause — and said that those qualities are all still important to people of color today.
African Liberation Day was founded in 1958 to help unify people of African descent across the globe.
In St. Thomas, celebrations began on Monday with a radio program on WSTA-AM 1340. A walk will be held Saturday at 9 a.m. starting at Addelita Cancryn Junior High School and ending at John Brewers Beach.
