Saturday May 19 was a significant day in the lives of American people. It was the day that we recognized the birth of a great leader, Minister Malcolm X. This man was not only a leader among those in the African American community but also a leader among all men. Because of his impact on our community, a remembrance ceremony was held in his honor at the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building Plaza (125th Street and Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard).

The remembrance ceremony was arranged to reflect on a great leader's life. Unfortunately, peace and solidarity were not present. Replacing that was an aura of conflict and division. The Malcolm X Commemoration Committee marched through the center of Harlem, disrupting business activity along 125th Street. This was done in spite of the fact that the city denied the group a permit to march. A second group, the 125th Street Business Improvement District, applied for the permit weeks earlier. It was granted to them on a first come, first serve basis. Commemoration Committee members were determined to proceed with their planned activities, which included a pilgrimage to Malcolm's gravesite in Hartsdale, NY. They said that the Improvement District applied for permission at the request of local politicians and business leaders who did not want to close their establishments to observe this day. Protesters were moderately successful in temporarily closing down stores while they marched on 125th Street. Many consumers delayed their shopping plans until the marchers dispersed.

Regina Smith, age 47, participated in a march from 125th Street and Malcolm X Boulevard. She said that she heard many positive things at the Improvement District's rally. Ms. Smith felt that everything shown during the event reflected on Malcolm as well as spiritual and personal growth. She was very disturbed by the demonstrators labeling people as sellouts just because they shared different views on how to celebrate the holiday. She also felt insulted because she is involved in community activism especially in the realm of education. She found these comments both offensive and ignorant.

Mel Anderson, 27, felt that demonstrations wouldn't change anything. He said that the owners of the buildings would own them regardless of any protest. An unnamed man agreed saying that the "white man" couldn't be blamed because it was Black business owners that kept the establishments open — not Caucasians. Mr. Anderson also added that if activists wanted to be truly effective they would have actually prevented shoppers from entering the stores instead of simply telling them not to shop.

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, entered this world on May 19,1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His older brother, Reginald, introduced him to Islam. In a matter of a few short years, X became a headman in the Nation of Islam (NOI). Because of Malcolm's message partnered with excellent oratory skills many prestigious institutions invited him to speak at their events.

His comments on President Kennedy's assassination caused him to get suspended from his ministry for 90 days. His suspension was the starting point of a rift between X and Elijah Muhammad. In 1964, Malcolm told Ebony magazine that Black Muslim leaders have "got to kill me." This was in reference to his knowledge of sensitive information within the NOI. A short year later Malcolm X was assassinated.

Dr. Delois Blakely, the community mayor of Harlem, came to the event to talk about peaceful solidarity. She felt that the revolutionary spirit present on this day called for the closing of stores out of respect and honor to Malcolm. Dr. Blakely felt that the Harlem community sensed the tension between the groups and that's why their presence wasn't as strong as it could have been. Maybe next year the groups can cast aside their differences and celebrate this holiday in unity.