Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, has become an enduring symbol of resistance and determination in the fight against racial oppression in the United States. His early life, marked by the trauma of the 1951 murder of his father, Elijah Muhammad, led him to develop a deep-seated anger that later shaped his activism. As a leader of the Nation of Islam, he was known for advocating a more radical form of Black empowerment, emphasizing self-defense and separation from the dominant white society.
Malcolm X’s philosophy, encapsulated in his famous phrase ‘By any means necessary,’ underscored his belief that Black people should take all necessary actions to protect themselves from racial injustice. This stance sometimes put him at odds with more moderate civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who advocated for nonviolent protest. Despite these differences, Malcolm X’s impact on the civil rights movement remains profound, shaping the discourse around Black liberation and self-determination. His legacy continues to inspire movements against systemic racism and oppression in the United States.