We present you 10 powerful Malcolm X quotes.
Malcolm X was an African-American revolutionary, Muslim minister, and human rights activist who played a significant role during the civil rights movement.
Initially, he was a spokesman for the Nation of Islam (NOI) until 1964, known for his strong advocacy for Black empowerment and the spread of Islam within the African-American community.
His life story was detailed in a posthumous autobiography, co-authored with Alex Haley, and published in 1965.
Malcolm X’s early life was marked by hardship.
Following his father’s death and his mother’s subsequent hospitalization, he spent his adolescence in various foster homes or with relatives.
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He engaged in criminal activities and, in 1946, was sentenced to 8 to 10 years in prison for larceny and burglary.
During his time in prison, he joined the Nation of Islam and adopted the name Malcolm X.
After his parole in 1952, he quickly rose to become one of the Nation’s most influential leaders.
For 12 years, Malcolm X was the public face of the Nation of Islam, advocating for Black empowerment and the separation of Black and White Americans.
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He was a vocal critic of Martin Luther King Jr. and the mainstream civil rights movement, opposing their emphasis on non-violence and racial integration.
Malcolm X took pride in some of the Nation’s social welfare programs, particularly its free drug rehabilitation initiative.
10 powerful Malcolm X quotes
Here are 10 inspirational quotes from the civil rights activist:
On racial unity: “There can be no Black-white unity until there is first some Black unity.T here can be no workers’ solidarity until there is first some racial solidarity. We cannot think of uniting with others, until after we have first united among ourselves. We cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves. One can’t unite bananas with scattered leaves.”
On working hard: “The main thing you got to remember is that everything in the world is a hustle.”
On speaking your truth: “I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands, even if he’s wrong, than the one who comes up like an angel and is nothing but a devil.”
On brotherhood: “I believe in the brotherhood of all men, but I don’t believe in wasting brotherhood on anyone who doesn’t want to practice it with me. Brotherhood is a two-way street.”
On demanding freedom: “You get freedom by letting your enemy know that you’ll do anything to get your freedom; then you’ll get it. It’s the only way you’ll get it.”
On appreciating freedom: “It is only after slavery and prison that the sweetest appreciation of freedom can come.”
On the “American Nightmare”: “I’m not standing here speaking to you as an American, or a patriot, or a flag-saluter, or a flag-waver — no, not I. I’m speaking as a victim of this American system. And I see America through the eyes of the victim. I don’t see any American dream; I see an American nightmare.”
On human rights: “Human rights are something you were born with. Human rights are your God-given rights. Human rights are the rights that are recognized by all nations of this earth. And any time any one violates your human rights, you can take them to the world court.”
On enemies: “Anytime you rely on your enemy for a job you’re in bad shape.”
On anger: “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.”
