[of Malcolm and Martin who are all too often pitted against one another in this nation's memory]

Brother Cornell West reminded me today that

both believed that the unexamined life is not worth living.

he also reminded me that the only reason that they became who they did was because somebody loved them. elijah muhammad loved malcolm little and martin had a mama's love and a communities of support. before they were mountains of memories, they were just men like any other. it is a mistake to underestimate the power of love. for these American heroes it constituted the wind at their backs and their courage in the face of an angry and sometimes violent American public.

love is a powerful force, a life-changing, world-shifting, motivating energy. it is folly to forget the power of such forces and to stop believing in their miracles.