February 21, 1965: The Assassination and Aftermath.
On Sunday afternoon, February 21, 1965, just before delivering an address at the Audubon Ballroom, Malcolm X/El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz was assassinated before a crowd of hundreds of people, including his pregnant wife Betty Shabazz and three of their four children.
The profound religious and political sojourn of Malcolm X was hardly noticed in the immediate aftermath of his assassination. The New York Times editorialized that Malcolm was “an irresponsible demagogue” and “an extraordinary and twisted man,” who had utilized his “true gifts to evil purpose.” Time magazine declared that the dead leader was “an unashamed demagogue” whose “gospel was hatred.” But others saw Malcolm X more clearly. President Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana sent a telegram of condolence to Malcolm’s widow, saying that “your husband lived a life of dedication for human equality and dignity so that the Afro-American and people of color everywhere may live as man. His work in the cause of freedom will not be in vain …”
ADDITIONAL READINGS:
Breitman, ed., Malcolm X Speaks, pp. 194-226.
Goldman, The Death and Life of Malcolm X, Chapter 29, pp. 256-278; Chapter 48, pp. 359-373; and Afterthoughts, pp. 409-435.
Earl Grant, “The Last Days of Malcolm X,” in John Henrik Clarke, ed., Malcolm X: The Man and His Times, pp. 8310px05.
Eldridge Cleaver, “Initial Reactions on the Assassination of Malcolm X,” Souls on Ice, pp. 50-61.
C. Gerald Fraser, “Seeking Malcolm X,” American Legacy, Vol. 8, no. 3 (Fall 2002), pp. 35-43.
Manning Marable, “Malcolm X’s Life After Death,” American Legacy, Vol. 8, no. 3 (Fall 2002), pp. 44-61.
Manning Marable, “Selling Malcolm: Black History on the Auction Block,” The Crisis, Vol. 109, no. 5 (September/October 2002), pp. 18-21.
Kihiss, “Malcolm X Shot to Death at Rally Here,” New York Times, February 22, 1965, pp. 1, 10.
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Montgomery, “Harlem is Quiet as News Spreads,” New York Times, February 22, 1965, p. 11.
Lipsyte, “Other Muslims Fear For Lives,” New York Times, February 22, 1965, p. 10.
Benjamin, “Malcolm X Lived in 2 Worlds, White and Black, Both Bitter,” New York Times, February 22, 1965, p. 10.
Jones, “Malcolm Knew He Was a ‘Marked Man’,” New York Times, February 22, 1965, pp. 1, 11. pt 1 | pt 2
Talese, “Police Save Suspect From the Crowd,” New York Times, February 22, 1965, p. 10.
Lissner, “Malcolm Fought for Top Power in Muslim Movement and Lost,” New York Times, February 22, 1965, p. 11.
“Obituary of Malcolm X,” New York Times, February 22, 1965, p. 20.
“Malcolm X Gunned Down,” Los Angeles Times, February 22, 1965, p. 11.
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“Hatred for Whites Obsessed Malcolm X,” Los Angeles Times, February 22, 1965, p. 11.
“Muslim Mosque Burns in Harlem; Blast Reported,” New York Times, February 23, 1965, pp. 1, 20. pt 1 | pt 2 | pt 3
“China Reds Say Malcolm X Was Slain by ‘Imperialists’,” New York Times, February 25, 1965.
Kihiss, “Hunt for Killers in Malcolm Case ‘On Right Track’,” New York Times, February 25, 1965, pp. 1, 18. pt 1 | pt 2 | pt 3
Kenworthy, “Malcolm Called a Martyr Abroad,” New York Times, February 26, 1965, p. 15.
“Cops Fear Muslim ‘War’ Over Malcolm X Slaying,” Pittsburgh Courier, February 27, 1965, p. 1. pt 1 | pt 2
“Baldwin: Malcolm’s Death is a ‘Setback’,” Amsterdam News, February 27, 1965, p. 20.
“What Harlemites Say About Malcolm X Slaying,” Amsterdam News, February 27, 1965, p. 22.
Hicks, “Another Angle: Malcolm X,” Amsterdam News, February 27, 1965, p. 9.
“Trust Fund for Malcolm X’s Kids,” Amsterdam News, February 27, 1965, p. 1.
“Black Muslim Guard Held in the Murder of Malcolm X,” New York Times, February 27, 1965, pp. 1, 10. pt 1 | pt 2
Rustin, “On Malcolm X,” New American, February 28, 1965, pp. 1, 8.
Montgomery, “Malcolm Buried as True Moslem Despite the Unorthodox Ritual,” New York Times, February 28, 1965, p. 72.
“30,000 Mourn Malcolm X,” Amsterdam News, March 6, 1965, p. 33.
“Lawyer Says Malcolm Was Poisoned,” Amsterdam News, March 13, 1965, p. 4.
“Malcolm X Fund Grows to $5,200,” Amsterdam News, March 13, 1965, p. 4.
“Malcolm X Aide Dead in Boston,” New York Times, March 14, 1965, p. 57.
“Malcolm X’s Sister Takes Over; Says She Fears New Violence,” New York Times, March 16, 1965, p. 33.
Montgomery, “Malcolm X a Harlem Idol on Eve of Murder Trial,” New York Times, December 6, 1965, p. 46.
Richard Turner, Islam in the African-American Experience, pp. 238-241.
Interview with Herman Ferguson, “The Price of Freedom,” Souls, Vol. 7, no. 1 (Winter 2005), pp. 84-106.
Steve Clark, ed., Malcolm X: The Final Speeches, pp. 257-266.
Dorothy Fardan on her belief in the involvement of the CIA.
Max Stanford's theory of who was behind the assassination
Peter Bailey on the struggle for succession of the OAAU
Ossie Davis on the inspiration for Malcolm's eulogy, pt. 1
Herman Ferguson on the lack of security for Malcolm
Abdullah Abdur-Raazaq's theory on Malcolm's murderers
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