Message to the Grass Roots: Malcolm X…Human Rights… The Black Experience Continues

An episode of Message to the Grass Roots, a cable access talk show produced & hosted by Michael Zinzun from 1988-1998 at Pasadena Community Access Corporation, which is now Pasadena Media . This program focuses on Malcolm X and black activism.

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1:48Copy video clip URL “Message to the Grass Roots with Michael Zinzun: Malcolm X…Human Rights… The Black Experience Continues.” Guests: “Chingani Akinyela, Lacy Shabazz, and Akua Jitahadi.” He talks about the importance of black history. Zinzun has each of the guests introduce themselves.

11:11Copy video clip URL Zinzun asks when the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement was started, and why. Jitahadi gives a history of the movement, and its origination in an educational context. They play a clip from the Civil Right’s Movement and Malcolm X.

19:45Copy video clip URL Show returns. Zinzun asks Shabazz to speak about Malcolm X’s message of black self-determination. A caller calls in to ask about practical solutions for economic self-determination. Zinzun speaks about redirecting profits, and Akinyela speaks about community interaction with this problem. Another caller asks about the objectives and mission of their movement. Shabazz speaks about the goals of the Nation of Islam. A third caller expresses his appreciation for the show. Commercial break. 

34:30Copy video clip URL Show returns. Jitahadi speaks about some of their ongoing projects. The speak about a specific counter-protest against Nazi’s and the KKK that they carried out. A caller asks about practical solutions to community problems. Shabazz comments about changing of community values. A caller asks about welfare and welfare reform. Akinyela and Zinzun talk about self determination and where reform should happen. A caller speaks about the power of voting. Akinyela speaks about welfare again. They take another caller that speaks about investing money into black banks. Zinzun responds about investing in black businesses. Another caller asks about involvement in the two party political system. Shabazz speaks to the political system. Another caller asks about neighborhood sweeps. Zinzun condemns these sweeps. 

56:45Copy video clip URL Zinzun notes that they are almost out of time. As a closing question, Zinzun asks how the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement addresses sexism. Each guest responds quickly. Zinzun closes the show. Credits.

1:00:06Copy video clip URL Tape ends.