When it comes to iconic voices in Black history, few resonate louder—or hit harder—than Malcolm X. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, the civil rights legend would’ve turned 100 this year, but his words remain as sharp, fearless, and relevant as ever.
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Whether he was schooling folks on the power of education, warning us about the media’s manipulation tactics, or making it plain that freedom ain’t really free, the highly respected yet sometimes “controversial” leader always knew how to deliver a message that stuck.
So in honor of his centennial birthday, we’re highlighting some of his most unforgettable quotes from all those years ago in the hopes that we’ll never forget how much Malcolm was truly a voice for the ages. Keep reading to get into these gems that continue to inspire, agitate, and motivate!
Malcolm X, 1965
“I’m for truth, no matter who tells it. I’m for justice, no matter who it is for or against.”- Malcolm X, 1965
Malcolm X, 1964
“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.”- Malcolm X, 1964
Malcolm X, 1964
“We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being... by any means necessary”- Malcolm X, the Founding Rally of the Organization of Afro-American Unity in June 1964
Malcolm X, 1962
“There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time.”- Malcolm X, 1962
Malcolm X, 1963
“If you’re not ready to die for it, put the word ‘freedom’ out of your vocabulary”- Malcolm X, 1963
Malcolm X, 1964
“We are nonviolent with people who are nonviolent with us.”- Malcolm X, 1964
Malcolm X, 1965
“I, for one, believe that if you give people a thorough understanding of what confronts them and the basic causes that produce it, they’ll create their own program, and when the people create a program, you get action.”- Malcolm X, 1965
Malcolm X on Education
“Without education, you’re not going anywhere in this world”- Malcolm X
Malcolm X on Fighting for Freedom
“You don’t have to be a man to fight for freedom. All you have to do is to be an intelligent human being”- Malcolm X
Malcolm X, 1964
“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. I believe in treating people right, but I’m not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn’t know how to return the treatment.”- Malcolm X, 1964
Malcolm X, 1963
“If violence is wrong in America, violence is wrong abroad. If it is wrong to be violent defending black women and black children and black babies and black men, then it is wrong for America to draft us, and make us violent abroad in defense of her. And if it is right for America to draft us, and teach us how to be violent in defense of her, then it is right for you and me to do whatever is necessary to defend our own people right here in this country.”- Malcolm X, 1963
Malcolm X, 1965
“You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.”- Malcolm X, 1965
Malcolm X on Race
“A race of people is like an individual man; until it uses its own talent, takes pride in its own history, expresses its own culture, affirms its own selfhood, it can never fulfill itself.”- Malcolm X, 1965
Malcolm X, 1965
“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.”- Malcolm X, 1965
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