ETHERIDGE KNIGHT’S POEM “IT WAS A FUNKY DEAL” HONORING MALCOLM X

Etheridge Knight (April 19, 1931 – March 10, 1991) was a poet from Mississippi whose debut poetry book--"Poems from Prison," about his eight-year incarceration--attracted attention among other major African-American poets.

The following 1965 poem, "It Was A Funky Deal" was composed to honor Malcolm X who was killed inside Harlem's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965.

In honor of Black History Month, the Black Star News will be featuring speeches, interviews, poetry, etc. all month from important figures who fought for Black liberation and who represent the Black experience with honor.

IT WAS A FUNKY DEAL 

It was a funky deal.

The only thing real was red,

Red blood around his red, red beard.

It was a funky deal.

In the beginning was the word,

And in the end the deed.

Judas did it to Jesus

For the same Herd. Same reason.

You made them mad, Malcolm. Same reason.

It was a funky deal.

You rocked too many boats, man.

Pulled too many coats, man.

Saw through the jive.

You reached the wild guys

Like me. You and Bird.

(And that Lil LeRoi cat.)

It was a funky deal.