Les and Tamara Payne are the co-authors of The Dead Are Arising, a biography detailing the life of Malcolm X. For almost 30 years the book was being added to and refined until it was eventually published in 2020. 

In 2018 Tamara inherited the author's reigns when her father sadly passed away. Although heartbroken, Tamara lived by her father’s words and aimed only to publish the book when it was ready. 

As today’s guest, we speak with Tamara about her experiences researching and writing The Dead Are Arising. She shares details about the writing process and touches on learning from her father, a journalist, about why it is so important to build relationships with your sources. 

 Much of the show is also spent talking about the contents of Les and Tamara’s book. We take a look at how it differs from Malcolm X’s autobiography and learn the truth behind some of Malcolm’s biggest life events. Tamara clears the murky waters around the death of Malcolm’s father, Earl, his relationship with Elijah Muhammad, his eventual breakaway from the Nation of Islam, and his assassination. 

For listeners, this is a chance to get to know Malcolm X like never before. To hear about Malcolm’s power of influence, studious nature, critical eye for social injustice, and desire for upliftment, be sure not to miss this episode. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing Tamara Payne, co-author of The Dead Are Arising.
• Hear about the genesis of Tamara and Les’s book.
• Les’s habits of routinely playing Malcolm X’s speeches to his family.
• Tamara talks about her experiences in China.
• Why Tamara and Les’s book was 30 years in the making. 
• Tools Tamara would use to approach her stories.
• How Les taught Tamara the tools of the trade.
• Tamara shares lesser-known details about Malcolm X’s childhood.
• We explore the environment in which Malcolm X grew up.
• Hear about “Shorty” and who this mysterious character was from Malcolm X’s autobiography.
• How Malcolm X managed to get parole.
• Tamara tells us about the tensions between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad.
• Malcolm X’s knack for engaging an audience and persuasive speaking.
• How the killing of Ronald Stokes impacted Malcolm X.
• Tamara touches on Malcolm X’s final months.

Send us a text message. We'd love to hear from you!