MALCOLM X | Strife & Pain

May 19th marks the birth of Malcolm X, one of the most influential and complex figures of the 20th century. Born Malcolm Little in Omaha, raised in Lansing, and reborn as Malik el-Shabazz, his life was forged in adversity, faith, and unflinching resolve. Malcolm symbolized Black empowerment, resistance, and self-determination through fire and fury.

In this featured poem from Red, White & Verse, we trace the arc of a man who rose from pain to power, from prison to pulpit, from the margins to the global stage. His voice challenged systems, inspired millions, and still echoes across generations. As we remember Malcolm on his birthday, we invite you to reflect on his legacy in full color, not as a symbol frozen in time, but as a human being shaped by struggle and vision.

Malcolm X

Strife & Pain

Malcolm Little, a name born in strife,

A young seed in the hard ground of life.

Fatherless at six, he began to roam,

In the heartland of Lansing, he found a home.

Leaping, lunging, through life’s cruel test, 

In adversity’s arms, resilience did nest.

From the city’s cold stone, a blossom arose, 

Against despair’s gusts, resolve he chose.

Bouncing, bounding, through life’s harsh trial,

In the cradle of hardship, resilience did he compile.

From the concrete of the city, a rose took root,

In the face of despair, determination his suit.

Within the chill grasp of a prison’s hold, 

He discovered faith, a purpose bold. 

Through Islam’s wisdom, Malcom found rebirth, 

From night’s deep grasp, sprang a dawn’s new mirth.

Malik el-Shabazz, he came to be known,

A fiery voice, a spirit full-grown.

A militant fighter for his kin’s rights,

In the darkest hours, he lit the lights.

Yet his world was one of zero-sum,

In the quest for justice, some felt undone.

His vision of freedom, while fierce and grand,

Sought to uplift one, by lowering another’s stand.

Still, in the heart of the Black youth, he planted a seed,

His words like water, for their growing need.

He instilled pride where shame once lay,

In the hearts of many, he ignited the way.

A committed communist, he found his creed,

In a world divided, he sowed many a plead.

While his path was marked by strife and pain,

His legacy, complex, continues to reign.

Remember Malcolm in shades of gray,

A man of his time, in the world’s disarray.

Through the lens of history, may we yet learn,

For a brighter future, let our hearts yearn.

By Greg McNeilly

MALCOLM X (1925–1965)

·      On May 19, 1925, Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska. 

·      His Baptist minister father supported Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey and was murdered when Malcolm was six. When Malcolm was thirteen, his mother entered an institution for mental health issues, so he and his siblings went to foster homes. He spent most of his youth in Lansing, Michigan. 

·      In his youth, Malcolm was involved in criminal activities, leading to his imprisonment for burglary from 1946 to 1952. At this time, he began reading extensively and embraced the Nation of Islam’s teachings, which advocated racial secession and black empowerment.

·      After his parole in 1952, Malcolm changed his last name to “X” to signify his lost African identity. He quickly became prominent in the Nation of Islam due to his intelligence, charisma, and powerful oratory skills. He became the organization’s national spokesperson and helped increase membership.

·      As a charismatic and polarizing figure, Malcolm X championed Black pride, economic self-reliance, and identity politics. His speeches criticized the mainstream civil rights movement’s integrationist approach and nonviolent resistance, advocating instead for Black self-defense.

·      He was a communist and saw race rights as a zero-sum game, meaning that if African American rights were to be recognized, others’ rights would have to be lowered. 

·      Malcolm X’s relationship with the Nation of Islam strained over time, leading to his departure in 1964. He then embarked on a pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj), where he embraced Sunni Islam and developed a more inclusive perspective on race relations.

·      Following his hajj, he returned home with a new name, el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. He founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity to promote human rights and unity among African Americans.

·      In 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated in Manhattan, New York, by three gunmen later identified as members of the Nation of Islam.

·      Posthumously, Malcolm X’s influence has continued to grow. His speeches and writings, particularly his autobiography cowritten with Alex Haley, have been widely studied for their insights into race relations, Black identity, and the Black Power movement.

·      Malcolm X remains a significant figure in the struggle for Black rights. While advocating for a strong, positive Black identity, he challenged the mainstream civil rights movement’s strategies. His life and legacy inspire discussions of racial identity, justice, and equality.