Today marks what would have been the 100th birthday of one of the most influential civil and human rights leaders in American history—El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, better known to the world as Malcolm X.
Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 19, 1925, his journey from street hustler to international spokesman for Black liberation remains one of American history’s most compelling transformation stories. His legacy—rooted in resistance, truth-telling, and fearless advocacy—resonates powerfully a century later.
The son of a Baptist preacher and a strong-willed mother, Malcolm was introduced early to the harsh realities of systemic racism. His father, a supporter of Marcus Garvey’s movement for Black self-reliance and Pan-Africanism, was murdered under suspicious circumstances when Malcolm was just six. Soon after, his mother was institutionalized, and the state separated his siblings. These early traumas would shape a young man who would later channel his pain into purpose.
Known on the streets of Boston and Harlem as “Detroit Red” for his reddish hair and sharp hustle, Malcolm became deeply involved in the criminal underworld. His life pivoted during a prison sentence in his early twenties. There, he encountered the teachings of the Nation of Islam, a movement that encouraged Black men to reclaim their dignity, discipline, and power.
Emerging from prison in 1952, Malcolm quickly became one of the Nation’s most dynamic and controversial ministers. His fiery oratory, unflinching critique of white supremacy, and call for Black self-defense shook the status quo and captivated a generation. Whether one aligned with the Nation of Islam or not, it was clear that Malcolm X spoke directly to the pain and aspirations of Black America.
His influence grew rapidly—and so did resistance against him. The federal government, led by FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, viewed Malcolm as a threat to national stability, targeting him through the COINTELPRO surveillance program. Meanwhile, growing tensions within the Nation of Islam ultimately led Malcolm to separate from the organization in 1964, embarking on a spiritual and political journey that would take him to Mecca and across Africa.
There, Malcolm embraced a more global and inclusive human rights vision, bridging the Black American struggle and the broader African diaspora. His final year of life saw the birth of a more expansive, unifying message—still rooted in truth, justice, and self-determination, but open to allies across race and faith.
He was assassinated in Harlem on February 21, 1965, at the age of 39. Yet even in death, Malcolm’s voice has never been silenced.
Today, his words—”By any means necessary”—remain a rallying cry for oppressed people around the globe. His life story continues to inspire movements for justice, equity, and Black dignity, from the grassroots to the global stage.
On this centennial, we celebrate not just the man, but the enduring spirit of Malcolm X: his fearlessness, his integrity, and his unwavering commitment to the liberation of his people. He was—and remains—a spiritual and political giant whose legacy lives on in the hearts, minds, and actions of those continuing the struggle.
Happy 100th birthday to Brother Malcolm. May his message forever guide us forward.