Malik Zulu Shabazz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Malik Zulu Shabazz
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Shabazz in 1994
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| Born |
Paris S. Lewis
September 7, 1966 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | Howard University (B.A., J.D.) |
| Occupation | Lawyer, political activist, lecturer |
Malik Zulu Shabazz (born Paris Lewis on September 7, 1966) is an American lawyer and activist. He used to be the leader of the New Black Panther Party. This group is sometimes called a "hate group" because of its strong and sometimes controversial views. As of 2013, he is the National President of Black Lawyers for Justice, an organization he helped start.
In October 2013, Shabazz announced he was leaving his leadership role in the New Black Panther Party. Hashim Nzinga, who was the national chief of staff, took his place. Shabazz sometimes appears as a guest on television talk shows.
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Malik Zulu Shabazz: His Early Life and Education
Malik Zulu Shabazz was born Paris Lewis in 1966. He grew up in Los Angeles, California. Shabazz has shared that his father, James Lewis, was a Muslim who passed away when Shabazz was young. His mother, who he describes as a successful businesswoman, raised him. His grandfather also played a big role in his life. He introduced Shabazz to the Nation of Islam, a religious and political organization.
Shabazz went to Howard University and later graduated from Howard University School of Law. In 1994, he worked for the Mayor of Washington D.C., Marion Barry. However, he was let go because of comments he made about other people's history, religion, and race. The mayor said these comments did not match his own views.
In 1995, while still a law student, Shabazz tried to win a seat on the Council of the District of Columbia. He was not successful. In 1996, he started Black Lawyers for Justice. This group supports black lawyers. In 1998, the National Bar Association, a major group for black lawyers, named him "Young Lawyer of the Year." He ran for the D.C. Council again but did not win.
How Malik Shabazz Gained Public Attention
Shabazz first became widely known in 1994. This happened when a student group he started at Howard University, called Unity Nation, invited Khalid Abdul Muhammad to speak. Muhammad was the chairman of the New Black Panther Party. When introducing Muhammad, Shabazz led a "call and response" with the audience. This is where a speaker says something, and the audience responds.
During this event, Shabazz made some strong statements. He asked the audience questions about who controlled certain things or was involved in historical events. He suggested that Jewish people were responsible for some negative things. A year later, Shabazz told an interviewer that he believed most of what he said was true.
In 2002, Shabazz was a spokesperson for the Black Panthers. He played a part in helping to capture the D.C. Snipers. He encouraged people to go outside and not live in fear during that time.
Leading the New Black Panther Party
Around 1997, Shabazz joined the New Black Panther Party, following Khalid Abdul Muhammad. Muhammad helped the group grow a lot and became its chairman. When Muhammad passed away in 2001, Shabazz became the National Chairman of the party.
The New Black Panther Party, under Shabazz, promoted several ideas:
- Black nationalism: This idea focuses on the unity and self-determination of Black people.
- Black Power: This movement aims to achieve self-sufficiency and empowerment for Black communities.
- Support for reparations for slavery: This is the idea that descendants of enslaved people should receive some form of compensation for the historical injustices of slavery.
- Conspiracy theories about the September 11 attacks: These are ideas that the 9/11 attacks were planned by people other than those officially blamed.
- Views on Jewish involvement in the Atlantic slave trade: The party promoted the idea that Jewish people played a major role in the slave trade.
- Anti-Zionism: This is opposition to Zionism, which is the movement to create and support a Jewish homeland in Israel.
Travel Issues: Why He Couldn't Enter Canada
In May 2007, a group called Black Youth Taking Action invited Shabazz to speak in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He was supposed to speak at a rally and give a lecture at Ryerson University.
When Shabazz arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport, Canadian border officials stopped him. They did not let him enter Canada. This was because of some of his past statements, which Canadian officials believed went against Canadian hate laws. The Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, also shared his concerns about Shabazz.
Shabazz then flew back to Buffalo, New York. He tried to cross the border into Canada again by car. However, border agents recognized him and once more prevented him from entering the country.
Protests in Baltimore (2015)
Malik Shabazz helped organize and promote a protest in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 25, 2015. This demonstration happened after the death of Freddie Gray. Freddie Gray was a 25-year-old African-American man who died while in the care of the Baltimore Police Department.
Speaking to the crowd, Shabazz encouraged them to "Shut it down if you want to! Shut it down!" This was a call for people to take strong action.
Shabazz planned another protest for May 2, 2015. Some people in Baltimore who had been part of peaceful protests were concerned about his involvement. They shared their worries with The Baltimore Sun newspaper. For example, Rev. Alvin S. Gwynn, Jr., a local religious leader, called Shabazz an "outside agitator." Another pastor, Rev. Louis Wilson, said Shabazz did not speak for all African-Americans. Wilson added that he had talked to people who wished Shabazz would stay away.
