The word WUCUSU may sound unusual at first, but behind its three short syllables lies a lifetime of wisdom and a powerful roadmap for personal and collective transformation. Pronounced Woo-KOO-sue, it is an acronym for the phrase "Wake Up, Clean Up, Stand Up" — a three-step empowerment framework that draws its inspiration from one of the most brilliant and uncompromising leaders of the 20th century, Malcolm X.
In November of 1963, Malcolm X spoke to students at Columbia University, delivering a message that was as urgent then as it is today. He urged Black people to “Wake up, clean up, and stand up.” To some, those words might have sounded like clever political rhetoric or a catchy slogan. But for Malcolm, and for those of us who have studied his teachings, it was a concise call-to-action — a distilled set of instructions for liberation.
Malcolm understood that transformation is not accidental. It is intentional. He explained, “A people is like a (person). Until it realizes its own talents, takes pride in its own history, expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself.” These words highlight the need for self-knowledge and self-respect as the foundation for meaningful change. In his own way, Dr. Maulana Karenga, creator of Kwanzaa and a leading scholar in African-centered thought, built upon this idea. He reminded us that, “It is only through our struggle to fully become and be ourselves and to remake society in the interest of good in the world that this fulfillment and flourishing are possible.”
For me, these insights lit a fire. I realized that Wake Up, Clean Up, Stand Up wasn’t just a catchy phrase; it was a practical, lifelong system for empowerment. That realization led me to develop the WUCUSU Self-Empowerment Framework — a tool designed to help individuals take control of their lives and communities in a deliberate, structured way.
The beauty of WUCUSU is its simplicity. In just three short commands, it captures the essence of personal transformation. First, you must Wake Up — open your eyes to who you are, where you are, and what your purpose is. Next, you must Clean Up — remove the barriers, habits, and thinking patterns that keep you from your best self. Finally, you must Stand Up — take purposeful action to live your mission and serve your community.
At my organization Harlem Liberation School, we have embraced WUCUSU not only as a philosophy but also as a greeting. When we say “WUCUSU” to one another, it’s more than a hello. It’s a reminder of our shared mission. It’s a call to be conscious, to constantly learn and improve ourselves, and to act with courage and intention.
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