Malcolm X- The legacy lives after 45 years...

A socialist, a revolutionary, and a civil rights activist… A hero... these are just a few words to describe what el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz aka Malcolm X meant to people. Today, it's been 45 years since Malcolm X was shot to death in New York.

Malcolm X was born and raised in Nebraska at a time when there were deep division between whites and blacks (and in fact this is putting it mildly), black people at this time were violently persecuted for one reason alone ... namely the colour of their skin. Not only were black people at this time persecuted physically they were also ‘mentally’ persecuted; black children such as Malcolm X himself were made to think and believe that no aspirations or goals they had in life were realistic and that they would never ‘make it’ in terms of education and careers.

The mission of Malcolm X however was to change this and his vision was one of equality for people of races, creed and culture. It is perhaps for this reason Malcolm X stated in his early life:

"…Early in life. I had learned that if you want something, you had better make some noise."

This is then exactly what he went on to do!

Malcolm X became a Muslim around 1946 and sometime after leaving The Nation of Islam whom he had converted with he became a Sunni Muslim and performed his Pilgrimage to Mecca in 1964. Having performed his Hajj (pilgrimage) Malcolm X famously stated:

"There were tens of thousands of pilgrims, from all over the world. They were of all colors, from blue-eyed blondes to black-skinned Africans. But we were all participating in the same ritual, displaying a spirit of unity and brotherhood that my experiences in America had led me to believe never could exist between the white and the non-white."

The Hajj transformed Malcolm X’s perspectives on whites and racism completely, it was now that he had started to realise that people of all races can coexist together, something he had never been allowed to see before; and so it was, that upon his return from his pilgrimage he began to preach for equality and rights for ‘all races’..Malcolm X now had a message for all races. Of the message that Malcolm X propagated, preached and spread was:

"Human rights are something you were born with. Human rights are your God- given rights. Human rights are the rights that are recognised by all nations of this earth."

Malcolm X then went onto to become not only the most sought public speaker in the USA but his message took him far and wide to many other places such as Africa, Europe and even our very own UK. In 1964, Malcolm X came to the UK and this attracted so much interest that the BBC broadcasted this historic visit. The message he carried with him was the same, namely racial co existence and equality for all, this has now become his passion and what he longed to see be achieved.

Before Malcolm X could see his vision become a reality however, his assassins were successful in their ruthless attempt and in 1965, he was assassinated as a result of the very message he was preaching, whilst he was at a public speaking.

One question though… Were his assassins truly successful?

Malcolm X may not have lived to see his visions become a reality but his legacy and his message have never been forgotten. His legacy and his message have moved through the generations and both still live in the hearts of many people today. People of all races can take something from what Malcolm X preached, and as people living in the west namely Muslims, non Muslims, ethnic minorities and non ethnic minorities we can learn many things from his message in relation to racial coexistence. Malcolm X left behind a legacy and provocative speeches that today trigger emotion in people, particularly the black community.

Malcolm X said about himself:

"I am not educated, nor am I an expert in any particular field...but I am sincere …and sincerity is my credential."

This sincerity and passion he portrayed, and the message he preached has made Malcolm X successful in the mission he attempted to achieve and it allows us to reflect upon and shows us all 45 years after his death, the greatness that was the mission and message of Malcolm X.