February 4, 2013
Malcolm X’s Daughter Not Happy with Mother’s Portrayal in ‘Betty and Coretta’
Ilyasah Shabazz, one of the six daughters of El Hajj Malik Shabazz (Malcolm X) and Betty Shabazz, recently expressed her objections to the portrayal of her mother in Lifetime’s recently aired movie Betty and Coretta, calling the movie “fiction.”
Shabazz told the Washington Post: “My mother was not a weak, timid, insecure woman as portrayed. She was regal, compassionate, strong, loving, beautiful, resilient and well-educated. That is why the Delta Sigma Theta sororities named academies all across this country after her, so others could be inspired how to turn tragedy into triumph.â€
She also pointed out that her mother did not cover her head as she does in the film, and has said on other occasions that her mother’s refusal to cover her head as was expected by Muslim women, demonstrates her independent thinking.
“If only Lifetime had consulted us, the sisters, maybe this would be more than fiction. I am not pointing my finger solely at them, but it must be our responsibility to ensure history is properly documented,†Shabazz said.