malcom x quotes that still ring true – he understood that we can’t expect a racist system to dismantle itself

On May 19th, 1925, Malcolm Little, who would later become known as Malcolm X and then el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, was born. Shabazz would go on to become one of the most influential Muslim ministers and human rights activists of all time. His indictments of white America and unapologetic rejection of non-violence in the face of racism garnered him many detractors. This, on top of his high profile split from the Nation of Islam, culminated with his assassination in 1965, but his legacy lives on through his poignant words. Below, we’ve collected some of our favorite quotes that still speak to struggles facing the nation today. Happy birthday, Malcolm X!: