Malcolm X, a Black nationalist leader of the civil rights movement, was assassinated 53 years ago on Feb. 21. The activist had been giving a speech at the Audubon Ballroom when he was shot 15 times at point-blank range. Three men associated with the Nation of Islam, which X had left in 1964 — a year before his death — were tried and found guilty of his killing, but two maintained their innocence, according to CNN. However, research in the years since X’s assassination has cast doubt on the outcome of the trial.
Below are five quotes from Malcolm X that the Black community can continue to live by.
(Bettmann/Contributor
“Without education, you’re not going anywhere in this world.”
(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“Usually when people are sad, they don’t do anything. They just cry over their condition. But when they get angry, they bring about a change.”
(Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
“Time is on the side of the oppressed today, it’s against the oppressor. Truth is on the side of the oppressed today, it’s against the oppressor. You don’t need anything else.”
(Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“It takes heart to be a guerrilla warrior because you’re on your own. In conventional warfare, you have tanks and a whole lot of other people with you to back you up — planes over your head and all that kind of stuff. But a guerrilla is on his own. All you have is a rifle, some sneakers and a bowl of rice, and that’s all you need — and a lot of heart.”
(Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
“Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression.”
