Malcolm X at 100: A Legacy of Resistance, Faith and Transformation

By Mohamad Hammoud

Early Life: Trauma and Transformation

Lebanon – A hundred years after his birth, Malcolm X remains a powerful symbol of resistance for oppressed people worldwide. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, he emerged as one of the most dynamic and controversial figures of the twentieth century and the American civil rights movement.

His early life was marked by hardship and violence, beginning with the targeting of his father, Reverend Earl Little—a Baptist minister and ardent supporter of Marcus Garvey's Black nationalist movement—by white supremacists, the violent Black Legion. When Malcolm was six, Earl Little was found dead, crushed by a streetcar in what was widely believed to be a racially motivated murder. This devastating loss was further compounded when Malcolm's mother, Louise, suffered a mental breakdown and was institutionalized, leading to the scattering of the children into foster care.

Despite academic promise, Malcolm was discouraged by a teacher who told him that becoming a lawyer was "no realistic goal for a nigger." Disillusioned, he dropped out, moved to Boston and Harlem, and fell into crime, earning the nickname "Detroit Red." In 1946, he was sentenced to prison for burglary, a turning point leading to his profound personal transformation.

Prison and the Nation of Islam

During his six years in prison, Malcolm dedicated himself to self-education and embraced the teachings of the Nation of Islam (NOI). This African American movement, led by Elijah Muhammad, combined Black nationalism with a unique interpretation of Islam that promoted Black self-sufficiency and separation from white society. As part of his transformation and his rejection of the identity imposed on him, he discarded his birth surname, "Little," which he viewed as a "slave name." Instead, he adopted "X" to symbolize the African heritage that had been erased by slavery.

Civil Rights Activism and Controversy

After his release from prison in 1952, Malcolm quickly ascended through the Nation of Islam [NOI] ranks thanks to his intelligence, charisma and unwavering dedication. As the national spokesperson, he established temples in Boston, New York and Philadelphia, launched the influential newspaper Muhammad Speaks, and increased the movement's membership from a few hundred to tens of thousands by 1960. Known for his passionate rhetoric, Malcolm condemned white people as "devils" and advocated for Black self-defense "by any means necessary." His speeches sharply contrasted with mainstream civil rights leaders, who promoted nonviolence and integration.

Break with the Nation of Islam

By 1963, Malcolm's disillusionment with Elijah Muhammad grew after uncovering the leader's infidelities and hypocrisy. The rift deepened when Malcolm publicly described President Kennedy's assassination as "chickens coming home to roost," defying Muhammad's directive to remain silent. These conflicts culminated in Malcolm's departure from the Nation of Islam in 1964, which he described as a "straitjacket," signaling a new phase in his activism.

The Hajj and the Discovery of Orthodox Islam

In 1964, Malcolm undertook the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, a transformative experience that profoundly altered his worldview. There, he witnessed Muslims of all races—Africans, Asians, Arabs and Europeans—worshipping together in unity, a stark contrast to the racial separatism he had previously preached. In his iconic letter from Mecca, he depicted a profound sense of brotherhood, noted anger's capacity to obscure judgment, and highlighted Islam as the sole religion to resolve racial conflict.

Returning home, Malcolm converted to mainstream Islam, taking the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, and, while ceasing to support racial separatism, continued his international work promoting Black empowerment and human rights. This ideological shift deepened his divide with the Nation of Islam, which remained committed to racial separatism, escalating tensions that led to Malcolm being labeled a traitor and receiving death threats.

Malcolm X and Palestine: A Forgotten Solidarity

Malcolm's international travels brought him into contact with liberation movements worldwide. In 1964, he visited Gaza and witnessed the suffering of Palestinian refugees. Drawing parallels between the Black American struggle and the Palestinian fight against colonialism, he stated, "The problem that exists in Palestine is not religious... It is a question of colonialism. It is a question of a people who are being deprived of their homeland." He condemned Zionism as a form of colonialism and advocated for a "free Palestine," emphasizing solidarity among oppressed peoples. In his final written words, hours before his assassination, he warned of Zionism's threat to the Muslim world and the broader struggle against oppression.

Final Days and Assassination

Malcolm X's outspoken criticism of the Nation of Islam and his evolving ideology made him a marked target not only of the NOI but also of the federal government. On February 21, 1965, he was assassinated while preparing to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity at New York's Audubon Ballroom. Although members of the Nation of Islam were long believed to be the gunmen, recent investigations have suggested a far broader conspiracy involving government agencies.

For over a decade, the FBI had Malcolm X under extensive surveillance, and informants were reportedly planted at the Audubon Ballroom on the day of his death. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover even sent a telegram ordering agents to "do something about Malcolm X."

In November 2024, Malcolm's family filed a lawsuit accusing the FBI, CIA and New York Police Department of complicity—alleging these agencies withheld critical evidence, removed security personnel, and failed to prevent the assassination despite credible threats.

Legacy and Words on Oppression

Malcolm X's legacy endures as a symbol of resistance and self-determination. He famously declared, "Time is on the side of the oppressed today; it's against the oppressor. Truth is on the side of the oppressed today; it's against the oppressor. You don't need anything else." His unwavering commitment to justice, even at significant personal risk, inspires movements for equity and liberation worldwide. Malcolm's life is a testament to the power of change, the necessity of confronting injustice, and the hope for a world where all people can live with dignity and freedom.