By Dr. RB
President and CEO at THEACADEMY365
On February 21, 1965, Benjamin 2X stood before the crowd in the Audubon Ballroom, saying, "I now introduce to you, a man who would give his life for his people." It would be the last time 2X made such an introduction. In front of nearly 500 people, including Malcolm X’s wife and children, the revolutionary leader was shot 15 times.
On February 27, 1965, Malcolm X was laid to rest in Harlem. The public viewing drew an estimated 30,000 mourners, while thousands more gathered at the Faith Temple Church of God to honor their fallen "shining Black prince."
Under the leadership of J. Edgar Hoover, the FBI saw Malcolm X as a major threat. His rise as a prominent Black leader, whom they labeled a "Black messiah," caused deep concern among those in power. They feared he could unite and ignite the Black community, so their aim was to neutralize him before that could happen.
James Baldwin once said that Malcolm's speeches spoke directly to the pain and oppression of Black people in America. His words affirmed their reality, giving voice to the struggles and injustices they had long endured.
Malcolm’s message aligned with the Old Testament idea of a Messiah—a liberator who uses militant action to restore justice. He was seen as a leader who would bring freedom and empowerment to the oppressed, not just spiritually, but politically and socially as well. His message resonated with those fighting against oppression, making him a powerful figure and a threat in the eyes of the establishment.
Two days before his death, Malcolm declared, "It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, it will be for the cause of brotherhood. That’s the only thing that can save this country." For Malcolm, the struggle for justice was greater than any individual, but for Hoover, it was a dangerous movement that needed to be stopped at any cost.
However, Malcolm’s physical death did not mark the end of his influence. As a devout Muslim, he believed that death was not the end. The Quran says, "Say not of those slain in the way of Allah: ‘They are dead.’ Nay, they are living, though ye perceive it not." Malcolm's spirit and message continued to inspire.
Malcolm X’s legacy grew, influencing movements like the Black Panther Party (BPP). Bobby Seale, co-founder of the BPP, reflected on how Malcolm's advocacy for self-defense and the importance of a Black political organization shaped their own mission. His calls to address essential needs like housing, food, and education resonated deeply with the BPP’s goals. Dr. Huey P. Newton, another co-founder, described Malcolm as the first political figure he truly connected with. The BPP, in his eyes, existed in the spirit of Malcolm, carrying forward his vision of empowerment and revolution.
Kwame Ture (formerly Stokely Carmichael) also acknowledged Malcolm X as the cornerstone of their ideology, stating that the framework of their activism was built upon his vision and principles.
John Carlos, an Olympic medalist and human rights advocate, recalled the profound impact Malcolm had on him as a young man. His words spoke to the struggles Carlos saw in his own community, and years later, Carlos grappled with guilt, feeling that had he been there, he could have saved Malcolm from his tragic fate. But despite his physical absence, Malcolm’s legacy lived on in every act of defiance and every fight for justice.
Malcolm X remains alive through his ideals, his spirit, and the countless individuals who continue his fight for justice. Though his physical body was laid to rest on February 27, 1965, his message endures in every movement challenging the systems of oppression he so fiercely opposed.
Malcolm X is far from forgotten. His legacy lives on because we refuse to let it die. His message, his vision, and his fight for justice remain eternal.
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