The Assassination of Malcolm X: Unraveling the Truth Behind his Death

The day Malcolm X got shot at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, New York, it shook up the whole civil rights scene in America. This happened on February 21, 1965, and left everyone asking who did it and why. To really understand what went down, you gotta dive into the mix of politics, society, and personal clashes that filled Malcolm X’s life and work.

Malcolm X, originally Malcolm Little, was a big name in the civil rights game, speaking out for the Nation of Islam (NOI) in the early 1960s.

His powerful speeches and strong stand on black empowerment set him apart from other leaders at the time. But things got rocky with the NOI, led by Elijah Muhammad. By 1964, Malcolm X split from the NOI and started his own groups, like the Muslim Mosque, Inc., and the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU). This split not only set him against the NOI but also put a target on his back.

The tension between Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam wasn’t just about beliefs; it got personal. Malcolm X found out about Elijah Muhammad’s alleged wrongs and power abuses, which he called out publicly. This made him a threat to the NOI’s authority and reputation. Threats came his way, and the hostility only grew.

On the day Malcolm X got shot, he was about to talk to a crowd at the Audubon Ballroom. As he started speaking, a ruckus broke out in the crowd. Suddenly, a group rushed the stage and started shooting. Malcolm X got hit several times up close and was declared dead not long after. It was a chaotic scene, making it hard to catch the shooters right then. But eventually, three men got arrested and convicted for the murder: Talmadge Hayer (also known as Thomas Hagan), Norman 3X Butler, and Thomas 15X Johnson.

Talmadge Hayer, a Nation of Islam member, admitted being involved but said Butler and Johnson were innocent. Despite Hayer’s confession, Butler and Johnson got life sentences. For years, people doubted their guilt, thinking the real planners of the murder got away. People questioned the trial’s fairness, the lack of proof against Butler and Johnson, and the FBI watching and messing with black activist groups, including the NOI and Malcolm X’s groups.

Lately, interest in the case grew again. A Netflix show, “Who Killed Malcolm X?” and new investigations made the Manhattan District Attorney look at it all over. In 2021, after a long look, Norman 3X Butler (now Muhammad Abdul Aziz) and Thomas 15X Johnson (now Khalil Islam) got their convictions tossed. They said the trial had big problems and was unfair. But this didn’t answer all the questions about who ordered the hit and how deep the plan went.

We know the Nation of Islam had a hand in Malcolm X’s death, but talk about the FBI being in on it stirs things up. The FBI’s COINTELPRO was all about shaking up black movements, and Malcolm X was a big target. Some say the FBI knew about the murder plan or even helped it along. Historians and activists talk about this, but proof’s still thin.

Malcolm X’s killing was a sad moment in the fight for civil rights. It silenced a big voice for black power and fairness. Clearing Butler and Johnson’s names fixed a wrong, but we’re still digging into what really happened. Knowing why Malcolm X died—deep into all the reasons, fights, and outside moves—helps us see his legacy and why the push for justice goes on.

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