Study Circles
Through our Study Circles we engage activists, artists, and thinkers from across Detroit and beyond. Our goal is to cultivate our communities’ capacity to engage media critically, make connections between the past, present, and future, and practice dialectical thinking to develop grounded political assessments.
Purpose
To celebrate Malcolm X’s “Message to the Grassroots,” and the anniversary of the Northern Negro Grassroots Leadership Conference (Nov 9-10, 1963).
To invoke the historical context in which Malcolm gave his speech, “Message to the Grassroots” (e.g., the Boggses were involved in bringing him to Detroit, Jimmy was the chairperson of the conference).
Not just to commemorate Malcolm and his speech! The point is to say that, 60 years later, we are drawing on that history to illuminate what messages are coming from Detroit’s grassroots now.
Not merely to teach or inform, but to engage people in creating futures now.
To encourage, map, and build convergence among Detroit and national grassroots groups.
To continue to build critical connections among grassroots groups nationally and internationally.
To reimagine Malcolm’s call for “unity” through “Boggsian concepts” (e.g., critical connections, convergence).
To challenge racism, white supremacy, capitalism, imperialism, neocolonialism, and misleadership disconnected from the grassroots.
Preparatory Questions
What did Malcolm say in 1963 and why?
What aspects of his powerful and historic speech are still relevant today?
What realities have changed?
What realities are the same?
What should we think about Malcolm X, his speech, and its context in 1963 and 2023?
Resources
Readings:
Malcolm’s “Message to the Grassroots” (Nov 10, 1963)
Ward’s “The American Revolution” (2016)
Jimmy’s “Beyond Malcolm X” (1977)
Grace’s “Let’s Talk About Martin and Malcolm” (2011)
Lorde’s “Learning from the 60s” (1982)
Videos:
Malcolm’s “Message to the Grassroots” (Nov 10, 1963)
Grace on Democracy Now! “Grace Lee Boggs on Malcolm X” (Feb 20, 2015)
Why Study Circles?
Boggs Center Study Circles to Deepen, Grow and Struggle by PG Watkins
Joy in Community Study by Alexis Shotwell and Mike Doan
Recent Study Circles:
The American Revolution (Spring 2023)
Border & Rule Study (Summer 2021)
Freedom Dreams (Spring 2021)
