X is for Malcom X

Did you know that Malcom X Liberation University (MXLU)  was located in Greensboro from 1970,  until it closed in 1973? It was located on the above lot at 708 Asheboro Street, now known as Martin Luther King Drive. The institution ascribed to the Malcom X's separatist ideologies and belief in racial equality through any necessary means. The curriculum included academic courses, a two-month stay in Africa, technical courses, internships, physical education, courses in nation-building, and a curriculum that centered on Black Power and Pan-Africanism. The three-year program was very demanding and students only got a weekend off in the case of an emergency.*

The program, located on the above lot, closed in 1973. We aren't sure when the building was torn down, but, all that remains is this open field. We would have liked to have seen MXLU at it's peak, back when the school tried to be as self sufficient as possible and even had a community garden. Greensboro is known for its involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, part of the city's appeal when Malcom X Liberation University relocated here from Durham.

 Today is ABC Wednesday and for our A-Z Urban Finds Series, "X" lead us to Malcom X and MCLU.

*If you are interested in more details, the wiki entry is a good place to start. See, here.

Comments

[Dina]

That sounds very serious.

[Tbreese823]

seems a waste to have torn the building down...i wonder why? i like the way the steps look leading up to the vacant lot though.

[William Kendall]

I hadn't heard about a university bearing his name.

[Melody Steenkamp]

I did not know that either...
seems pitty to have lost such a building

Have a nice abcwednes-day / – week
♫ M e l d y ♫ (abc-w-team)
http://melodymusic.nl/abc-wednesday-18-x/

[Roger Green]

I had heard of him, of course, but not the college.

ROG, ABCW