Ep 41: The Life of Malcolm X with Tamara Payne
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The Life of Malcolm X
Episode 41: Show Notes.
Les and Tamara Payne are the co-authors of The Dead Are Arising, a biography detailing the life of Malcolm X. For almost 30 years the book was being added to and refined until it was eventually published in 2020.
In 2018 Tamara inherited the author's reigns when her father sadly passed away. Although heartbroken, Tamara lived by her father’s words and aimed only to publish the book when it was ready.
As today’s guest, we speak with Tamara about her experiences researching and writing The Dead Are Arising. She shares details about the writing process and touches on learning from her father, a journalist, about why it is so important to build relationships with your sources.
Much of the show is also spent talking about the contents of Les and Tamara’s book. We take a look at how it differs from Malcolm X’s autobiography and learn the truth behind some of Malcolm’s biggest life events. Tamara clears the murky waters around the death of Malcolm’s father, Earl, his relationship with Elijah Muhammad, his eventual breakaway from the Nation of Islam, and his assassination.
For listeners, this is a chance to get to know Malcolm X like never before. To hear about Malcolm’s power of influence, studious nature, critical eye for social injustice, and desire for upliftment, be sure not to miss this episode.
Key Points From This Episode:
Introducing Tamara Payne, co-author of The Dead Are Arising.
Hear about the genesis of Tamara and Les’s book.
Les’s habits of routinely playing Malcolm X’s speeches to his family.
Tamara talks about her experiences in China.
Why Tamara and Les’s book was 30 years in the making.
Tools Tamara would use to approach her stories.
How Les taught Tamara the tools of the trade.
Tamara shares lesser-known details about Malcolm X’s childhood.
We explore the environment in which Malcolm X grew up.
Hear about “Shorty” and who this mysterious character was from Malcolm X’s autobiography.
How Malcolm X managed to get parole.
Tamara tells us about the tensions between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad.
Malcolm X’s knack for engaging an audience and persuasive speaking.
How the killing of Ronald Stokes impacted Malcolm X.
Tamara touches on Malcolm X’s final months.
How Tamara grappled the project after her father’s passing.
The story behind the book’s title.
What Tamara thinks Malcolm would say about contemporary success.
We look at what’s next for Tamara.
Tweetables:
“To call each other black was derogatory. My father would often joke, if I called my brother black, he would beat me up. If I called him African, he'd be chasing me even now. In 1960, these were derogatory terms for black people.” — Tamara Payne [0:06:57]
“The vastness of this, what he did was incredible. I mean — the travel. Dad went and talked to people in Africa. It took time.” — Tamara Payne [0:21:40]
“This was a story not just about who Malcolm was — the person — because he's always presented to us fully formed and angry. This is to show who he was as a person, that he had a family, that there's lineage here.” — Tamara Payne [0:21:59]
“It’s important to build a connection with your source, and to make them understand that their story is important.” — Tamara Payne [0:24:34]
“Malcolm was thinking that this Nation of Islam, could be so much larger and could be leading this community into the future with dealing with white supremacy.” — Tamara Payne [0:46:15]
“Even though he dropped out, Malcolm X was a great student. He knew how to study something, and to see its flaws, see its positives, and then how to make it work.” — Tamara Payne [0:52:52]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
The Dead Are Arising on Amazon
How to Win Friends and Influence People on Amazon
The Autobiography of Malcolm X on Amazon
National Association of Black Journalists
Ronald Stokes