Peter Tosh and Malcolm X.
By Ras Jon

Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery.

Malcolm X, Malcolm X Speaks, 1965
To have the truth in your possession you can be found guilty, sentenced to death.”
Peter Tosh quote

The other night I was watching VH-1 behind the music bio on Peter Tosh, and I was deeply moved by his story. In addition, watching it and seeing how peter spoke out against all forms of oppression, be it the church and police or the folly of rival political parties in Jamaica at that time. I could not help but see how Peter Tosh life resembles that of Malcolm X. Malcolm like Peter grew up seeing racism and oppression, his father a devoted follower of Marcus Garvey back to Africa philosophy. Was murdered by the Ku Klux Klan and he saw his mother being sent to a mental asylum, He spent much of he’s time in Harlem were he hustled and was sent to jail for robbery and then why in prison he converted to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. Peter Tosh as well converted to the Rastafarian Faith and began speaking for black dignity when he like Malcolm saw how they were lied to by the church. Malcolm and Peter both rejected the pie in the sky teachings that forced on them, by the church and pastors who taught that everything good was white and black was bad. Tosh and Malcolm both told ones to see the great achievements made by great black man in the past, both men also said that one must reject the trappings of society and euro centric curriculum and identify themselves as Africans. Malcolm said being here in America doesn’t make you an American. In addition, tosh said as long as you’re a black man you’re an African. Both men told blacks that in the west your not citizens of the country you live in, and must identify yourself as Africans and know your home is Africa not America or Jamaica. Yet, these brave souls of truth and courage were cut down in their prime. Malcolm was shot in New York in 1965 at a lecture by two members of the Nation of Islam, which by then he ex communicated with. Peter Tosh was killed in 1987 by a person he was trying to help back into society. In closing these men, stand as true torchbearers of freedom and truth.