On May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, a child named Malcolm Little came into the world — a child who would eventually become one of the most powerful voices of the Civil Rights Movement. Known to history as Malcolm X, he served as a Muslim minister and human rights activist, rising to prominence within the Nation of Islam, an organization dedicated to merging Islamic traditions with Black nationalist ideals. His impact on the Black Power movement of the 1960s, as well as the wider Civil Rights Movement, was profound and far-reaching.

Today, Malcolm X and his legacy enjoy widespread celebration, yet he remains a figure who stirs considerable debate. His relentless fight for justice on behalf of the Black community and his championing of Islam have earned him deep respect. He left an indelible mark on both the Black Power Movement and the Black Arts Movement. At the same time, critics took issue with his endorsement of violence as a tool against oppression. Early in his public life, he preached racial separation and directed hostility toward white people. As his political journey progressed, however, his thinking on separatism underwent a transformation, and he began to call for racial unity instead. This dramatic evolution in his worldview drove a wedge between him and the Nation of Islam — a rift that ultimately brought threats against his life and culminated in his assassination.

Interesting Facts about Malcolm X:

  • Malcolm X changed his name from Malcolm Little after he joined the Nation of Islam. The X stood for his unknown African name.
  • Two of his brothers introduced Malcolm X to the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam.
  • In 1964, Malcolm X made a pilgrimage to Mecca and later renamed himself el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz.
  • Malcolm X is often seen as a counterpart to Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated for peaceful protests. In contrast, Malcolm X argued that violence was a necessary response to the oppression of Black Americans.
  • Malcolm X had red hair, which earned him the nickname "Detroit Red."
  • Malcolm X had six daughters, through whom his legacy continues to live on despite his assassination at the age of 39.