A personal reflection on Malcom X
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For many people, Malcolm X represents defiance, a bold challenge to systemic racism, and a call for justice. Others see him through the prism of his spiritual development, which culminated in his acceptance of orthodox Islam. These disparate pictures coexist, reflecting his diverse legacy as a revolutionary and a seeker of the truth.
Malcolm X's decision to join Islam appears to have stemmed from a profound inner metamorphosis driven by his search for identity and significance. His memoirs eloquently portrays his contact with the Nation of Islam's beliefs while in prison, when he was ready to change. Malcolm, free of worldly distractions, immersed himself in reading and contemplation, discovering in Islam a framework for understanding Black Americans' persecution. The concept
The idea that "the black man is the original man" provided a sense of pride and belonging that contrasted with the inferiority narrative propagated by white supremacy.
Islam's greater appeal to Black Americans in the 1950s and 1960s arose from its emphasis on justice, dignity, and resistance against injustice. The Nation of Islam, led by Elijah Muhammad, reframed Christianity as a weapon of subjugation, presenting Islam as a liberating alternative. Malcolm's individual metamorphosis matched the broader need for a spiritual and cultural home outside of white-dominated institutions. His ultimate visit to Mecca, however, broadened his perspective by introducing him to a global Islam that crossed racial lines.
Malcolm X’s journey reminds me of James Baldwin’s reflection in The Fire Next Time, where Baldwin writes about the power of religion to both liberate and confine. Malcolm, like Baldwin, saw how faith might be weaponised for control, but he also recognised its ability to inspire resistance and togetherness.