Today (21/02/2025) marks 60 years since the assassination of Malcolm X, a pivotal figure in the fight for civil rights and Black empowerment. In 1965, at the age of 39, Malcolm was fatally shot while delivering a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, New York. Three men affiliated with the Nation of Islam were convicted of his murder in March 1966 and sentenced to life in prison.
Born Malcolm Little in 1925, Malcolm X rose to prominence as a Muslim minister and spokesperson for the Nation of Islam, an African American movement that combined elements of Islam with Black nationalism. Between 1946 and 1952, Malcolm was imprisoned for robbery. During his time in prison, he joined the Nation of Islam. After his release in 1952, Malcolm worked with the Nation of Islam, and its leader, Elijah Muhammad, during its period of greatest growth. During this time, Malcolm founded the Nation’s newspaper, Muhammed Speaks, helped organise temples, recruited more members, and became minister of Boston Temple No. 11.
Initially, Malcolm did not align himself with the civil rights movement, or with Martin Luther King Jr.’s non-violent approach. However, by 1963, his perspective began to shift. He urged the Nation of Islam to take a more active role in the civil rights movement, rather than merely critiquing it. This stance led to growing tensions between Malcolm and Elijah.
In early 1964, Malcolm left the Nation of Islam. During his pilgrimage to Mecca, he embraced Sunni Islam and renounced the separatist ideology of the Nation. He began advocating for a more inclusive approach to racial justice, believing that the solution to America's race problem lay in orthodox Islam and international solidarity. Malcolm’s break from the Nation, along with his public condemnation of Elijah’s sexual relationships with underage girls and Malcolm's comments on the assassination of John F. Kennedy, led to escalating hostility between him and the Nation. By 1964, Malcolm was receiving frequent death threats.
On 18 February 1965, Malcolm mentioned in an interview that he was a "marked man". He also said that the broken ties with the Nation would “be resolved by death and violence". The next day, whilst being interviewed by Gordon Parks, Malcolm stated that the Nation was trying to kill him. A mere two days later he was shot 21 times.
Unfortunately, 60 years later, the world still deals with the issues Malcolm X sought to address. As we reflect on his legacy today, we must remember his tireless fight for justice and equality.