Hakim Jamal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hakim Jamal
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Gale Benson and Hakim Jamal in London, March 1, 1971
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Allen Donaldson
March 28, 1931 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Died | May 1, 1973 (aged 42) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
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| Cause of death | Gunshot wounds |
| Nationality | American |
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Hakim Abdullah Jamal (born Allen Donaldson; March 28, 1931 – May 1, 1973) was an American activist and writer. He was connected to Michael X and wrote From the Dead Level, a book about his life and memories of Malcolm X. During his life, Jamal worked with several well-known people, including Jean Seberg, Diana Athill, and Gale Benson.
Contents
Early Life and Activism
Allen Donaldson was born in Roxbury, Boston, in 1931. In his early 20s, he spent four years in prison.
Later, he became interested in the teachings of the Nation of Islam, a religious and political organization. He changed his name to Hakim Jamal. He became a speaker for the movement and wrote articles for newspapers. These articles promoted the idea of Black Power, which focused on the strength and unity of Black communities. After Malcolm X left the Nation of Islam, Jamal supported him and openly disagreed with Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam.
Starting the US Organization
After Malcolm X passed away, Jamal joined with Maulana Karenga and others to create "US". This group aimed to promote cultural unity among African Americans. Jamal had already started his own magazine called "US," which played on the idea of "us and them" and also stood for "United States." This magazine promoted the idea that Black cultural unity was a unique national identity.
In 1966, Jamal and Karenga published a magazine called Message to the Grassroot. Karenga was listed as the chairman and Jamal as the founder of the new group. Jamal believed that Malcolm X's ideas should be the main guide for the group.
However, Jamal and Karenga started to have different ideas. Jamal continued to focus on Malcolm X's strong political views. Karenga, on the other hand, wanted Black Americans to connect more with traditional African culture. Jamal did not see the point in projects like teaching Swahili or promoting old African rituals. Because of these differences, he left "US" and started the Malcolm X Foundation in Compton, California.
Working with Others
Hakim Jamal worked with many people throughout his life, including his wife, Dorothy Jamal, who was also an activist. He had a brief connection with actress Jean Seberg.
In the late 1960s, Jamal moved to London. There, he met Gale Benson, whose father was a British politician named Leonard Plugge.
The writer V. S. Naipaul described Benson as someone who was very dedicated to Jamal. Jamal and Benson traveled in America. They were trying to find money for a project to create a Montessori school for Black children. After trying to start a community in Guyana with a young German activist named Herbert Girardet, Jamal and Benson joined West Indian Black Power leader Michael X. They went to his community in Trinidad. While there, Jamal wrote articles supporting Michael X's activities.
Gale Benson's Death
Gale Benson traveled to America again to raise money for the school, but she was not successful. Soon after she returned to Trinidad in 1972, she was killed by Michael X and his group. Jamal was not suspected in her death. It was said that Michael X ordered her death because she was causing stress to Jamal.
In 1971, Jamal wrote his autobiography, From the Dead Level: Malcolm X and Me. It was published in the UK. Around this time, Jamal became involved with his London editor, Diana Athill. She later wrote about their time together in her book Make Believe. She mentioned his increasing difficulties and that he made claims about being God.
Jamal eventually returned to his wife and moved back to Boston. He continued his work as the director of the Malcolm X Foundation.
Death
On May 1, 1973, Hakim Jamal was killed. Four men entered his apartment in Boston and shot him many times. Police believed the crime was related to disagreements within groups, possibly linked to Jamal's criticisms of Elijah Muhammad. Five people were found guilty of being involved in his murder.
In Popular Culture
Hakim Jamal is a character in the 2008 film The Bank Job. He is played by Colin Salmon.
In the 2019 film Seberg, which is about Jean Seberg, Hakim Jamal is played by Anthony Mackie.
