On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights, New York City by an alleged member of The Nation of Islam during a speaking engagement to his Organization of Afro-American Unity. Malcolm had been traveling the world, returning to the United States with a new found sense of unity for his Muslim brethren.  While his life was taken on that day, his legacy still lives on.  His ideals of Black pride, unity within the Black community, and self-defense for Black people have carried themselves into a new generation of freedom fighters.  Fighters who believe in the very same notions as Malcolm: the quest for freedom should be sought after “by any means necessary”.  As the 51st anniversary of his death passed on Sunday February 21, 2016, it is only appropriate to take another brief look at Malcolm X’s life and legacy.

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. Much of his adolescence was spent developing his pride as a black boy, as his father was a preacher who held the same principles as Marcus Garvey.  James Earl Little, Malcolm’s father, created such a stir in Omaha that he was forced to move his family to Lansing, Michigan after threats from the Klu Klux Klan. Even in Michigan, however, James could not escape the bigoted, white supremacists of the times.  A member of the Black Legion, a racist white supremacist organization, assassinated James when Malcolm was only 6 years old.  Shortly thereafter, Malcolm was removed from his family by social workers.  

After being forced to separate from his family, Malcolm moved to Boston, Massachusetts and dropped out of high school before he was even of legal age to vote.  It was in Boston that he engaged in illegal activities and acquired the nickname “Detroit Red”.  Due to these activities, Malcolm was sentenced to 6 years in prison and spent time learning the teachings of Elijah Muhammad.  His learning would lead Malcolm to the Nation of Islam.  Through developing his newfound religion while in prison, Malcolm began developing such a strong sense of black nationalism, separatism, and pride that he dropped his government surname “Little” and replaced it with an “X”.  He noted that the “X” symbolized his stolen African identity and only wished to be called Malcolm X from that point on.  

After his release from prison, Malcolm became a minister in the Nation of Islam, married Betty Shabazz, and garnered attention as a prominent leader in the black community during the civil rights era.  As a leader, his teachings were those that demanded Black folks mature in self-love and become champions for isolation from White Americans.  Malcolm’s ideals empowered Black Americans to have their own communities in which they governed themselves, protected themselves, fed themselves, and prospered as a collective unstoppable culture.  

He was an outspoken leader most times.  So much so, that he began to become more verbally aggressive (which was definitely needed and warranted) than Elijah Muhammed.  Malcolm’s newfound popularity in the community seemed to frighten Elijah Muhammed, who thought Malcolm’s position to be one of too much power. Muhammed suspended Malcolm from the Nation of Islam causing Malcolm to leave the Nation and make his own solo Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca.   

Malcolm’s pilgrimage enlightened his mind to a more accepting and tolerant world.  He returned to America as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity.  Malcolm was assassinated during a rally for this organization in 1965.  

While most remember Malcolm for his aggressive political stance, separatist nature, and style of oration that would make a racist bigot pee his pants with the slice of one word, he was more than that.  At his core, Malcolm was a lover.  He loved his God, his wife and children, and certainly loved his people.  He taught us how to unapologetically stand firm in our Blackness and demand our freedom “by any means necessary”.  Malcolm gave us an assertive voice when we were all too often taught to be docile.  

So, to Malcolm Little, Detroit Red, Malcolm X, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, Rest in Power and Peace.  You left us better than we were.  We are trying our best to carry the torch. 

Sources:

1. Malcolm X assassinated. (n.d.). Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/malcolm-x-assassinated
2. Patty, M. (n.d.). Biography. Retrieved February 21, 2016, from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0944318/bio