Malcolm X Was Assassinated 52 Years Ago Today; Twitter Remembers the Slain Leader
Malcolm X, the Black liberation leader and former minister of the Nation of Islam, was assassinated during his address at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, N.Y., 52 years ago today (Feb. 21) at the age of 39.
A former criminal, Malcolm X was educated by the teachings of Islam while in prison for burglary at the age of 21. When he was released, he became a minister for the Nation of Islam under the guidance of its leader Elijah Muhammad. During his tenure, he was remembered for his fiery speeches where he advocated self-defense and defiance against white supremacy. His voice would become very influential in the civil rights movement.
Malcolm X's legacy was remembered on social media as people went on Twitter to honored the late Muslim leader by tweeting out quotes from his speeches, posting archival photos and writing personal testimonies of how the late Muslim leader shaped their lives.
In light of it being the day of Malcolm X's death, fellow civil rights icon John Lewis, the late Nina Simone and Barbara Jordan were also born on this day. All of them are deserving of tributes as well.
"Don't let anyone tell you what Malcolm X represented.... read his autobiography and learn the truth for yourself," tweeted one person, while another user wrote, "Listen to Malcolm's words for yourself. Understand his development over time. Appreciate his complexity. Resist revisionism."
Below is just a sampling of tributes to Malcolm X. The revolutionary leader may be gone but he certainly has not been forgotten.