Misunderstanding Malcolm X
Joby Waldman
BBC radio

The tragedy of Malcolm's death is that it was only in the last year of his life that he was able to open his mind and his heart enough to embrace all people regardless of skin colour. Unfortunately the image that many -- particularly in the media -- were left with, was of Malcolm as a vengeful militant, a symbol of hatred.

Looking back on his life, it's clear to see there were many Malcolms: Victim, player, prisoner, hater, anti-racist... As a result, Malcolm X is one of the most misunderstood leaders in history.

Take the phrase "By Any Means Necessary." After his death the slogan began to appear next to a photograph of Malcolm standing by a window holding a machine gun. The photo was originally taken as a warning against those Nation of Islam members who had threatened Malcolm's life. But placed next to the slogan "By Any Means Necessary," it appeared to be a call to arms for the Black population.

And still, 40 years on, people read Malcolm's teachings in a variety of different ways.

"Malcolm wasn't trying to be non-violent - he was like, 'You hit me and I'm gonna hit you back.' So from my understanding, as a teenager growing up, if someone slaps you, you slap them back and that's the reason Malcolm's words ring true," says MC Jonzi D.

But MC Rakin of Mecca 2 Medina interprets the message very differently.

"I think when he said 'by any means necessary' [he meant] you really have to get up and get moving. In the black community we tend to be laid back, and you need to be out there, you need to be pushing forward," MC Rakin says.

"In the Koran, God says he doesn't change a people till they change themselves, you need to be doing things for yourself. And so that is the kind of stance I believe he meant when he said, 'By any means necessary'."

"We have come a long way since 1965. In the States and in the UK we have got things like black history month and equal opportunities in the workplace. But it's important to remember the fullness of Malcolm's vision. He wasn't just fighting for a handful of policies -- what he wanted was the overhaul of a system that was institutionally racist on every level. The question that remains today is: how far have we gone to achieve his vision?"



"Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska...

"Malcolm was a smart, focused student. He graduated from junior high at the top of his class. However, when a favorite teacher told Malcolm his dream of becoming a lawyer was 'no realistic goal for a nigger,' Malcolm lost interest in school. He dropped out, spent some time in Boston, Massachusetts working various odd jobs, and then traveled to Harlem, New York where he committed petty crimes. By 1942 Malcolm was coordinating various narcotics, prostitution and gambling rings.

"Eventually Malcolm and his buddy, Malcolm 'Shorty' Jarvis, moved back to Boston. In 1946, they were arrested and convicted on burglary charges, and Malcolm was sentenced to 10 years in prison. (He was paroled after serving seven years.) Recalling his days in school, he used the time to further his education. It was during this period of self-enlightenment that Malcolm's brother Reginald would visit and discuss his recent conversion to the Muslim religion. Reginald belonged to the religious organization, the Nation of Islam...

"After Malcolm resigned his position in the Nation of Islam and renounced Elijah Muhammad, relations between the two had become increasingly volatile. FBI informants working undercover in the NOI warned officials that Malcolm had been marked for assassination. (One undercover officer had even been ordered to help plant a bomb in Malcolm’s car).

"After repeated attempts on his life, Malcolm rarely traveled anywhere without bodyguards. On February 14, 1965, the home where Malcolm and his family lived in East Elmhurst, New York, was firebombed. Luckily, the family escaped physical injury.

"One week later, however, Malcolm’s enemies were successful in their ruthless attempt. At a speaking engagement in the Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965, three gunmen rushed Malcolm onstage. They shot him 15 times at close range. The 39-year-old was pronounced dead on arrival at New York's Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

"Fifteen hundred people attended Malcolm's funeral in Harlem on February 27, 1965, at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ (now Child's Memorial Temple Church of God in Christ). After the ceremony, friends took the shovels away from the waiting gravediggers and buried Malcolm themselves. Later that year, Betty gave birth to their twin daughters.

"Malcolm's assassins, Talmadge Hayer, Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson were convicted of first-degree murder in March 1966. The three men were all members of the Nation of Islam.

"Malcolm X is buried at the Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York."

See also:
BBC On This Day: February 21