E-book: Fidel & Malcolm X: Memories of a Meeting - Rosemari Mealy

Fidel Castro had arrived in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, only to be turned away by a downtown hotel unwilling to house the Cuban delegation. Malcolm X, hearing of the insult, extended an invitation uptown, where the Black-owned Hotel Theresa welcomed Castro and his envoys without hesitation.

Thousands of Harlem residents filled the streets to greet the young Cuban leader, keeping watch outside his window through the rain. Rosemari Mealy's Fidel & Malcolm X: Memories of a Meeting recovers the story of that night and the conversation that has too often been left out of the historical record. First published in 1993 and reissued by Black Classic Press, this concise volume gathers firsthand recollections and original reflections from those who witnessed or studied the encounter.

Voices Around a Historic Encounter

Mealy writes as both scholar and participant in the international solidarity movements she describes. Alongside contributions from Elombe Brath, Amiri Baraka, Sarah E. Wright, and Bill Epton, she assembles the perspectives of historians, poets, journalists, and organizers.

Together they trace how a brief exchange between two leaders came to represent a lasting bond between the Cuban Revolution and the Black freedom struggle in the United States.

Themes That Continue to Resonate

Though slim in size, the book opens onto questions that remain urgent for readers and researchers today. Its pages speak to:

• The meeting of Black liberation and Latin American revolutionary movements
• Harlem's role as a center of political and cultural life
• Self-determination and the language of national liberation
• Solidarity across borders during the early Cold War
• The enduring friendship between Cuba and the African American struggle

For students of history, organizers, and anyone drawn to the global dimensions of Black political thought, Mealy's account offers a rare and intimate look at a moment whose meaning has only deepened with time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fidel & Malcolm X: Memories of a Meeting about?

It chronicles the 1960 meeting between Fidel Castro and Malcolm X at Harlem's Hotel Theresa, drawing on the memories of those who were present.

Who wrote the book?

Rosemari Mealy, a scholar, activist, and longtime participant in international solidarity work, authored the book with contributions from several writers and organizers.

When did the meeting take place?

The two leaders met in September 1960 during Castro's visit to New York for the United Nations General Assembly.