Quotes: Half a century after his death, Malcolm X speaks
Malcolm X, one of black America's most charismatic and controversial leaders, was assassinated on this day more than 50 years ago. He died in a hail of bullets on Feb. 21, 1965 in front of hundreds of people as he was beginning a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. His wife, Betty Shabazz, and four of his six children were in attendance.
At the time of his murder, Malcolm X had distanced himself from the more radical Nation of Islam, the group under which he came to prominence, and had begun to embrace a more universal vision of brotherhood. In 1964, he founded both Muslim Mosque Inc., and the Organization of Afro-American Unity and was approaching a middle ground on race relations.
At the ballroom that February, Malcolm X "had said only a few words of greeting when a fusillade rang out. The bullets knocked him over backward," the New York Times reported at the time.
Thomas Hagan, a 22-year-old member of the Nation of Islam from which Malcolm X was estranged, was the only man to confess to the shooting. He served 44 years and was released on parole in 2010.
Malcolm X's fiery rhetoric infuriated some but inspired many others. Here are five memorable quotes from his speeches:
1. "Our objective is complete freedom, complete justice, complete equality, by any means necessary." -- Dec. 20, 1964
2. "You can't separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom." -- Jan. 7, 1965
3. "I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don't believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn't want brotherhood with me." -- Dec. 12, 1964
4. "There is nothing in our book, the Koran, that teaches us to suffer peacefully. Our religion teaches us to be intelligent. Be peaceful, be courteous, obey the law, respect everyone; but if someone puts his hand on you, send him to the cemetery." -- April 3, 1964
5. "It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, it will be for the cause of brotherhood. That's the only thing that can save this country." -- Feb. 19, 1965
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