Malcolm X was a political activist during the Civil rights movement in the United States. The controversial question is whether or not he promoted violence. Malcolm X would say people should protect themselves “By any means necessary.”

African-Americans were denied their civil rights for a long time. This includes their right to freedom, right to education, the right for adults to vote, and the right to a fair trial. Before slavery was abolished in the U.S. in 1865, many were forced into slavery. Even after slavery became illegal, prominent segregation laws still mistreated black people.

“You’re not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality  Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.” – Malcolm X.

Anaheim High school teacher, Mrs. Lang, was influenced by this quote; she shares, “It has not been until recent events – the protests, murder of George Floyd (and others), and extreme injustice that I have removed my blinders (and continue to do so)  When something is so ingrained in our society, it is hard to pull out these veins of racism that intertwine within our national identity  But wrong is wrong – there is no patriotism in racism, microaggressions, bias  We all possess some… patriotism is not being blind it, blind to injustice  Patriotism is standing up for everyone and questioning everything  This has been my premise as an educator.”

Martin Luther King, Jr was also a prominent political activist during these. He promoted non-violent protests and dreamed of an America where black and white people would live together in harmony. In contrast, Malcolm X condoned the ideology of African American people protecting themselves “by any means necessary” using violence if necessary. Malcolm also wanted a separate nation just for black people.

Malcolm wanted to fight for black people due to the racist abuse he and his family had fallen victim to by the Ku Klux Klan. During rallies or big gatherings, many listened to his message. He inspired many protesters to risk their lives, to the point they would get arrested or brutally beaten because they wanted equality.

Malcolm X was shot at the Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965. Malcolm X left a great legacy. In 1964 the Civil Rights Act was passed and made it illegal to separate people or discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.

source: https://historycooperative.org/means-necessary-malcolm-x-black-freedom/