5 Facts You Should Know About Malcolm X

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Malcolm X remains one of the most influential—and often polarizing—figures of the 20th century. A powerful voice for Black pride, resistance, and transformation, he was best known for his uncompromising rhetoric and bold vision of Black empowerment. But behind the headlines and speeches was a man whose life journey was marked by self-education, ideological evolution, and a deep commitment to restoring dignity and identity to Black communities far and wide. 

Though widely recognized for his powerful oratory, Malcolm was also a self-taught intellectual. While in prison, he immersed himself in books, teaching himself everything from history to philosophy. Through his later work, he encouraged Black Americans to reclaim their heritage, understand their rights, and embrace their freedom, not just politically, but culturally and spiritually. 

In honor of Malcolm X’s 100th birthday today, May 19, here are five things you may not have known about the legendary freedom fighter.

1. He Wasn’t Always “Malcolm X.”

Born Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, he eventually rejected his surname, calling it a “slave name” handed down by white oppressors. In its place, he adopted “X,” a symbol of the unknown African name and identity stolen through slavery, according to the African American Intellectual History Society.

For Malcolm, the “X” wasn’t just a letter. It was a bold declaration of resistance and a lifelong quest for truth and self-definition. This philosophy was rooted in a broader belief shared by many Black nationalists that African Americans, as descendants of a “lost tribe,” and forcibly cut off from their ancestral language, religion, and history, needed to reclaim their stolen legacy. As Malcolm once said inside “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” slavery made Black Americans the earth’s only race of people who had absolutely no “knowledge of their own language, religion, and past culture.” 

For many, shedding European surnames in favor of African, Islamic, or self-chosen names became a radical act of liberation, an essential step in the broader Black revolution for autonomy, dignity, and self-respect.

2. He Was A Self-Taught Scholar In Prison.

While serving a lengthy prison sentence for burglary in 1946, Malcolm underwent a profound personal transformation. He spent countless hours reading in the prison library, eventually copying the entire dictionary by hand to improve his vocabulary.

In “The Autobiography of Malcolm X,” the freedom fighter revealed that he was  “fascinated” by the process of learning, uncovering intriguing details about “places and events from history.”

He added, “Actually, the dictionary is like a miniature encyclopedia… That was the way I started copying what eventually became the entire dictionary. It went a lot faster after so much practice helped me to pick up handwriting speed. Between what I wrote in my tablet and writing letters, during the rest of my time in prison, I would guess I wrote a million words.”

Through intense self-education, he not only became one of the most eloquent and powerful voices of the civil rights era but also began to embrace a deeper political and religious identity. It was during this period that he discovered the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), often referred to as the Black Muslims.

Upon his release in 1952, Malcolm officially joined the NOI movement and adopted the name Malcolm X. Thanks to the intellectual discipline he developed in prison, he quickly gained a reputation for his sharp mind and commanding presence. His talent for public speaking propelled him to the position of national spokesman for the NOI.

3. He Broke From The Nation of Islam.

Although Malcolm rose to national prominence as a minister for the NOI, he eventually split from the organization in 1964 over concerns about the conduct of Elijah Muhammad.

According to NBC News, Malcolm X held feminist views and frequently challenged traditional restrictions placed on women in mosques. His decision to leave the NOI was influenced in part by allegations of sexual misconduct against its leader, Elijah Muhammad.

 After leaving the NOI, Malcolm founded the Muslim Mosque, Inc. and later the Organization of Afro-American Unity, broadening his focus to include human rights and global solidarity.

4. His Pilgrimage To Mecca Changed His Worldview.

In 1964, Malcolm made the Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca. There, he encountered Muslims of all races and nationalities, which deeply affected him. He returned with a more inclusive view of race and began advocating for unity among all oppressed people, regardless of skin color, a shift from his earlier separatist stance.

“Never have I witnessed such sincere hospitality and the overwhelming spirit of true brotherhood as practiced by people of all colors and races here in this Ancient Holy Land, the home of Abraham, Muhammad, and all other prophets of the Holy Scriptures,” Malcolm penned in a letter he wrote from Mecca on April 20, 1964, according to documents obtained by ICIT Library. “For the past week, I have been utterly speechless and spellbound by the graciousness I see displayed all around me by people of all colors.”

Malcolm X traveled not only to Africa and the Middle East but also to parts of Europe. Notably, he visited several African and Middle Eastern countries even before undertaking his Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, NBC News noted. 

5. The FBI Kept Close Tabs On Him.

Malcolm X was under extensive surveillance by the FBI, which kept a detailed file on him and monitored his speeches, travel, and associations. Declassified documents show that the government considered him a major threat due to his influence and rhetoric, particularly as his message evolved to embrace a more international and human rights-based agenda.

According to History, the FBI’s surveillance of Malcolm X reportedly began in 1950 while he was still in prison. That year, he wrote a letter to President Harry Truman, declaring himself a Communist and voicing opposition to the Korean War, an act that drew the FBI’s attention. This marked the beginning of a watch that would continue for years. In one now-public document, FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover instructed the agency’s New York office to “do something about Malcolm X.”

The agency closely monitored his activities, ultimately compiling more than 3,600 pages of files that documented nearly every detail of his life. Historian Clayborne Carson has analyzed these records not only as proof of government scrutiny but also as a lens through which to trace Malcolm’s ideological growth and rising political influence. The FBI tracked his movements, associations with Black leaders and organizations, and public engagements right up until his assassination on February 21, 1965.

Notably, in 2024, Malcolm’s estate and family filed a lawsuit against the FBI, CIA, and several other entities, alleging they were involved in the civil rights icon’s assassination.