National Treasure: What Malcolm X Reveals About the Power of Speech on His 100th Birthday

On the anniversary of his 100th birthday, we revisit the life, legacy and words of Malcolm X. Known for his fiery speeches and unwavering stance against racial injustice, he was a powerful voice for Black empowerment. Speaking with bold truth and urgency, his vision for racial equality made him one of the most influential figures of the civil rights era.
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Malcolm X was a transformative leader whose voice and vision reshaped the struggle for civil rights in America. Born Malcolm Little in 1925, he rose to prominence as a minister and spokesperson for the Nation of Islam, advocating for Black empowerment, self-reliance, and resistance to systemic oppression.

With his sharp intellect and fiery oratory, Malcolm challenged the mainstream civil rights movement by rejecting nonviolence and calling out the deep-rooted racism embedded in American society.

In 1964, after a pilgrimage to Mecca, Malcolm experienced a profound shift in perspective. He left the Nation of Islam and founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity, embracing a more inclusive and international approach to human rights. His evolving philosophy highlighted the global dimensions of racial injustice and connected the Black American experience to liberation movements worldwide.

Malcolm X’s life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1965 at the age of 39. Yet, on his 100th birthday, we see how his legacy endures as a symbol of strength, transformation, and unwavering commitment to truth.

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More than 50 years after his death, Malcolm X’s writings endure to this day. Read more here:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...

Malcolm X remains a complex and charismatic figure in the Civil Rights Movement. Learn more here:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smiths...

Check out the tape recorder used by Malcolm X at Mosque #7 here:
https://nmaahc.si.edu/object/nmaahc_2...

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Executive Producers: Nicki Marko & Brian Wolly
Supervising Producer & Scriptwriter: Michelle Mehrtens
Producer & Editor: Sierra Theobald
Motion Designer: Ricardo Jaimes
Narrator: Garan Patrick