Malcolm X Inter/Nationalist

MALCOLM X - May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965

Malcolm X Inter/Nationalist 

Ardoyne, Belfast, Northern Ireland/ 2002 
by Mike Alewitz


The Ardoyne area had been the flash point of struggle against racist loyalist mobs that have come out to protest the right of Catholic children to attend Holy Cross School. It has been called "the Little Rock of Northern Ireland." The mural was an effort to give expression to the idea of a working-class solidarity that transcends national borders. I chose Malcolm X as the central image, because he was a nationalist who understood that we also had to build an international movement to transform society.


In a shameful and criminal act, the mural of our martyred revolutionary leader was painted over by Sinn Fein at a time when they were attempting to reach an accommodation with Loyalist and the British occupation forces. The action of Sinn Fein is no different than if they had painted over a tribute to Bobby Sands.

Malcolm X speaks to North Belfast
BY LAURA FRIEL
An Phoblacht/Republican News · Thursday 22 August 2002


Mike Alewitz of the American based Labour Art and Mural Project has travelled the world bringing his street paintings of working class issues to countries as diverse as Iraq and Germany. 


Inspired by the images of Holy Cross, this summer Mike came to North Belfast to share his visual message of international solidarity and struggle with the people of Ardoyne.


As a political muralist Mike has a formidable reputation both within the USA and internationally. His most famous work, the Pathfinder mural in New York, reproduced on numerous posters and book covers, has become an image instantly recognisable in many countries throughout the world. [Later mutilated and destroyed by the US Socialist Workers Party - ma]


Denied expression in most mainstream mediums, Mike sees mural art as an important mechanism through which working people can address political and economic marginalisation.


"It's working people talking to the world," says Mike. The main focus of Mike's art has been the depiction of labour issues and union struggles but for North Belfast he chose Malcolm X as his theme for the mural.


"Malcolm X was the greatest voice of Black nationalism," says Mike, "but he was also an internationalist. He understood the interconnection between nationalism and internationalism. I hope that the imagery will encourage people to read Malcolm X not just as an American leader but as a World leader."


But Mike has already been pleasantly surprised by how many ordinary people in North Belfast recognise the image. "People here already know who Malcolm X is," says Mike, "I guess that's a reflection of the level of politicisation within these communities."


The mural also includes images of Holy Cross and Little Rock. "Television footage of the children of Holy Cross being attacked as they made their way to school immediately reminded me of the image of children being confronted by an angry mob in Arkansas," says Mike.


US President George Bush and British PM Tony Blair are also included in the mural as a couple of poodles. "I would like to take the opportunity to denounce the criminal activities of the US and Israeli government against the people of Palestine," says Mike.


Despite being sympathetic to the struggle for freedom and justice in the north of Ireland, this is the first time Mike has actually visited here to witness the ongoing problems of ordinary communities like Ardoyne,


"I didn't realise the level of segregation and victimisation," says Mike, "or the ongoing level of violence being endured by people within this community."


Mike Alewitz is travelling home from Belfast this week but his mural will ensure that while he may have gone, he will not be forgotten. And he promises to visit again.

______________________________

US Artist Inspires New Street Art
Irish News
(20/08/2002)
By Judith Maas


AN American artist has drawn on the history of the United States civil rights movement to inspire a new Belfast mural.


Mike Alewitz has painted murals around the world and lectures on the subject in a US university, and yesterday he brought his talents to Northern Ireland.


Belfast artists invited Mr. Alewitz to join them in the city and offered him the chance to create a new mural for the Ardoyne area of north Belfast.


Being free to choose his own topic, Mr. Alewitz dedicated a wall in Havana Walk to black power leader Malcolm X.


"Malcolm X was the greatest voice of black nationalism and also of black internationalism. He saw the black struggle in the context of the working class struggle," he said.


"There is something to be learnt from that. I am not here to explain the Irish struggle, but there is the fact that the American civil rights movement was able to convince white working class people of their rights.


"The images of Holy Cross children are similar to the children of the civil rights movement. They were faced with similar problems."


He argued against seeing the Troubles as a religious conflict and called for working class unity.


"It seems that the struggle is between Catholics and Protestants, but that is not true. The struggle is two-fold. There is a struggle to unite Ireland. All you have to do is to take a look at the map to see why," he said.


"Secondly, it is a struggle of the working class. Unification wouldn't solve problems of education, unemployment and poverty."


Malcolm X, who was murdered in 1965, is depicted in a 3 metre high portrait. To his left and right there are corpses painted in orange and green.


"Do you see the green and orange corpses in the painting? The only ones that gain here are the capitalists," he said.


Dogs shown being walked by two pigs depict US President Bush and British Prime Minister Blair, he explained. He said it was reminiscent of George Orwell's Animal Farm.


"Orwell didn't have confidence in the working class. I would be more positive. I have seen people change," said the muralist, whose work features in a recently published book Insurgent Images: The Murals of Mike Alewitz.


Mr Alewitz will discuss his work in a slide show at 8pm tonight in An Chulturlann on the Falls Road. Entrance is free.