Summary
Highlights
Malcolm's criticisms of Elijah Muhammad and the NOI led to threats, his car being bombed, and his home being burned. On February 21, 1965, he was assassinated while addressing a meeting in Manhattan. Though three NOI members were convicted, questions remain about the involvement of law enforcement agencies like the NYPD and FBI, who had him under surveillance. Malcolm X's autobiography and his unwavering advocacy against racism and imperialism continue to inspire generations, preserving his legacy as a symbol of black liberation and revolutionary change. His funeral, attended by thousands, featured a powerful eulogy by Ossie Davis, who hailed Malcolm as 'our shining black prince.'
Malcolm X, born in 1925, faced immense challenges from a young age. His family, followers of pan-African activist Marcus Garvey, endured constant harassment from the Ku Klux Klan and the Black Legion, leading to their home being burned down and multiple family members murdered. After his father's suspicious death and his mother's institutionalization, Malcolm dropped out of school due to racist discouragement from a teacher. He moved to Harlem at 18, becoming involved in criminal activities like gambling, robbery, and pimping, which ultimately led to his imprisonment at 21.
Incarceration marked a turning point for Malcolm. His siblings introduced him to the Nation of Islam (NOI) and its leader, Elijah Muhammad. The NOI promoted black independence and separatism, viewing white people as 'devils.' Initially resistant to religion, Malcolm became a devoted member, studying extensively and abandoning his 'slave name' of Little to become Malcolm X. Upon his parole, he quickly rose through the ranks of the NOI, establishing and expanding temples, and becoming a powerful orator.
Malcolm's influence grew rapidly, garnering FBI surveillance. His national profile surged in 1957 after he effectively managed a confrontation between police and NOI members in New York. He married Betty in 1958 and gained international exposure through media appearances. Malcolm was a fierce critic of the mainstream Civil Rights Movement and leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., whom he viewed as 'Uncle Tom' figures promoting a 'defenseless' integration rather than assertive self-defense and black empowerment.
Tensions arose within the NOI as Malcolm's popularity overshadowed Elijah Muhammad. Disagreements over the NOI's response to police brutality and Malcolm's desire to collaborate with other civil rights groups further strained their relationship. Malcolm's controversial remarks about President Kennedy's assassination, interpreted as 'the chickens coming home to roost,' led to his silencing for 90 days. In March 1964, Malcolm publicly announced his departure from the NOI, revealing Elijah Muhammad's personal misconduct, including fathering illegitimate children, which he claimed was the real reason for his expulsion.
After leaving the NOI, Malcolm embraced Sunni Islam, founded the Muslim Mosque, Inc., and the Organization of Afro-American Unity. His pilgrimage to Mecca was a transformative experience, where he encountered Muslims of all races who saw themselves as part of a single human family. This experience shifted his views on race, leading him to believe that Islam could remove racism from white people. He also made two influential trips to Africa, meeting with prominent leaders and advocating for black liberation as an international struggle tied to third-world independence movements.