By Maverick
Malcolm X, a prominent figure in the American civil rights movement, was assassinated on February 21st, 1965, in New York City, New York. While three members of the Nation of Islam were convicted of the murder, numerous conspiracy theories have emerged, suggesting alternative perpetrators and motives. Let’s do a quick deep dive review into the official facts of the case.
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, was a vocal advocate for the rights of African Americans and a critic of white supremacy. After breaking from the Nation of Islam and adopting Sunni Islam, his views became more inclusive. His assassination occurred at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan, where he was shot multiple times by three gunmen. Talmadge Hayer, aka Thomas Hagan, Norman 3X Butler, now going by Muhammad Abdul Aziz, and Thomas 15X Johnson, now Khalil Islam, were convicted of the murder.
It’s astonishing to discover that conspiracy theories surrounding X’s death date back all the way to the beginning of when this event occurred. Despite having no internet, people still had the ability to learn information and question its legitimacy. The 1960s were a period of intense social upheaval, with widespread distrust of government institutions and increasing awareness of covert operations against civil rights leaders. Malcolm X’s ideological shifts and public break with the Nation of Islam fueled speculation about internal and external threats to his life.
Throughout the years, new evidence and re-investigations have kept the discussion alive and highlighted potential anomalies in the original case. The typical Malcolm X conspiracy theories center around the involvement of the Nation of Islam, that his assassination was orchestrated by high-ranking members of the NOI, angered by his defection and criticism of the organization. There was evidence to suggest that Malcolm X received numerous death threats from NOI members due to his ongoing conflict with Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the NOI. While it is clear that the convicted assassins were NOI members, the extent of official prominent NOI figures being directly involved remains debated. Some argue that the organization’s hierarchy was aware or even complicit, while others contend it was the act of a radical faction or small group of devout followers.
Another popular Malcolm X assassination theory is that there was some or full level of government Involvement, mainly by the ABC agencies, such as the FBI and CIA. The official claim from conspiracy theorists is that the FBI and/or CIA orchestrated or facilitated the assassination due to Malcolm X’s influence and potential to unify African Americans against systemic oppression. There is some evidence to suggest this, such as the FBI’s COINTELPRO program aimed to surveil, infiltrate, and disrupt civil rights organizations. Declassified documents reveal extensive monitoring of Malcolm X by federal agencies as well. Debunkers refute this by stating that direct evidence linking the FBI or CIA to the assassination remains inconclusive. However, the historical context of government actions against civil rights leaders lends some plausibility to this theory.
The final working theory that has been claimed over the years is that local law enforcement, such as the New York Police Department or NYPD, had some level of involvement in participating or turning a blind eye to the assassination plot. There were allegations of reduced security at the Audubon Ballroom, conflicting witness testimonies, and missing or mishandled evidence. Debunkers try to refute this by brushing off the “mishaps” as negligence and incompetence, saying that there is no definitive proof of the NYPD’s involvement.
The conspiracy theories pertaining to this event have prompted reexaminations of the case, leading to new insights and, in some instances, exonerations of wrongly convicted individuals, such as Muhammad Abdul Aziz and Khalil Islam, who both served prison terms for Malcolm X’s murder, were overturned in November 2021.
The assassination of Malcolm X remains a topic of intense debate and investigation. While various conspiracy theories offer alternative explanations, the pursuit of truth requires careful consideration of all available evidence. We may never get the entire truth about what happened to Malcolm X, but we can be sure about what didn’t happen and who not to trust: government agencies, law enforcement, and mainstream media, as they have total and complete control of history and the narrative they catapult to the masses. Please share your thoughts in the comment section. Be well.
