Death of Malcolm X

     It is clear that Malcolm X experienced death threats throughout his activist career, but that never turned him away from what he felt was right. Often considered a more radical leader Malcolm X stressed the need for black men to defend themselves. The fact that he wasn’t shy about confronting the injustices taking place across America probably made his life even less safe. Many people criticized and attacked him because he used popular avenues of media to spread his message, such as television and radio

     On February 21, 1965, as Malcolm X prepared to address the Organization of Afro-American Unity in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom, three armed men shot Malcolm X multiple times leaving him with 21 gunshot wounds. The three men were seized and it was discovered that they were men from members of the Nation of Islam. The exact reason or blame of why and who exactly assassinated Malcolm X is not truly known however. All three mean have since then served their time and are free, but they still claim their innocence and so do the Leaders of the Nation of Islam. Some have accused undercover FBI and CIA programs that were founded on the disruption of the civil rights movement.

     The reason why he was assassinated should be quite obvious, Malcolm X was a powerful man and behind him he left wisdom. He went against the norm of times and spoke differently towards Islam and the civil rights movement. He inspired people to listen and be advocates for themselves, to stand up rather than sit back and watch. People feared him because he seemed radical according to MLK Jr.’s peaceful protest. He was starting a new movement across the country, black men we becoming more intelligent and fighting civil rights in a new way.

     For the Malcolm X Institute, Malcolm is strength, pride and brotherhood. The men who created the MXI would not let others choose for them, they would educate themselves and fight back against injustice. Malcolm X taught them to be proud of their heritage, to be leaders not just advocates, and the MXI would be a symbol of their pride as brothers.