Black History

Happy birthday Malcolm X! Top 10 quotes from an icon

8:27 AM on 05/19/2011

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Malcolm X poses for a portrait on February 16, 1965, in Rochester, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

There are few figures in the black freedom struggle as dynamic and complex as Malcolm X who would have celebrated his 86th birthday if he were still alive today. Dr. Manning Marable's recently released book, Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention, has helped spark new debate and renewed popular interest in this iconoclastic and central figure of the civil rights era.

Before his life was taken by the bullets of assassins, some of whom may have never been brought to justice for their crimes, Malcolm X was on a breathtaking journey building new organizations and planting the seeds of a global Pan-African movement to help address the crisis faced by blacks in urban America. Dr. Marable's new work methodically peels back the layers and helps shed light on the real Malcolm X, who, though imperfect and flawed as the rest of us, was steadily undergoing personal transformation and evolving politically. But just as powerful as his actions were his words which struck chords, ignited debates and roused audiences all over the globe.

Here, theGrio presents Malcolm X's top ten most provocative and powerful quotes:

If you're not ready to die for it, take the word 'freedom' out of your vocabulary.

-- Chicago Defender (November 28, 1962)

We declare our right on this earth...to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.

-- Founding Rally Speech, OAAU (June 28, 1964)

I'm nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with me. But when you drop that violence on me, then you've made me go insane, and I'm not responsible for what I do. And that's the way every Negro should get. Any time you know you're within the law, within your legal rights, within your moral rights, in accord with justice, then die for what you believe in. But don't die alone. Let your dying be reciprocal. This is what is meant by equality. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

-- Speech, "The Ballot or the Bullet", Cory Methodist Church, Cleveland, Ohio (April 3, 1964)

I believe that there will be ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those who do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the system of exploitation. I believe that there will be that kind of clash, but I don't think it will be based on the color of the skin.

-- Speech (January 19, 1965)

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There are few figures in the black freedom struggle as dynamic and complex as Malcolm X who would have celebrated his 86th birthday if he were still alive today. "Dr. Manning Marable":http://www.thegrio.com/opinion/the-world-lost-an-intellectual-giant-in-dr-manning-marable.php's recently released book, _Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention_, has helped "spark new debate":http://www.thegrio.com/opinion/why-questions-about-malcolm-xs-sexuality-are-irrelevant.php and renewed popular interest in this iconoclastic and central figure of the civil rights era. Before his life was taken by the bullets of assassins, some of whom may have never been brought to justice for their crimes, Malcolm X was on a breathtaking journey building new organizations and planting the seeds of a global Pan-African movement to help address the crisis faced by blacks in urban America. Dr. Marable's new work methodically peels back the layers and helps shed light on the real Malcolm X, who, though imperfect and flawed as the rest of us, was steadily undergoing personal transformation and evolving politically. But just as powerful as his actions were his words which struck chords, ignited debates and roused audiences all over the globe. Here, theGrio presents Malcolm X's top ten most provocative and powerful quotes: _If you're not ready to die for it, take the word 'freedom' out of your vocabulary_. -- _Chicago Defender_ (November 28, 1962)

_We declare our right on this earth...to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary_. -- Founding Rally Speech, OAAU (June 28, 1964) _I'm nonviolent with those who are nonviolent with me. But when you drop that violence on me, then you've made me go insane, and I'm not responsible for what I do. And that's the way every Negro should get. Any time you know you're within the law, within your legal rights, within your moral rights, in accord with justice, then die for what you believe in. But don't die alone. Let your dying be reciprocal. This is what is meant by equality. What's good for the goose is good for the gander._ -- Speech, "The Ballot or the Bullet", Cory Methodist Church, Cleveland, Ohio (April 3, 1964) _I believe that there will be ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those who do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the system of exploitation. I believe that there will be that kind of clash, but I don't think it will be based on the color of the skin._ -- Speech (January 19, 1965)