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The Core Curriculum

“Islam is the Best Religion” by Malcolm X., June 8, 1964.

Relates to: 

Born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1925, by the 1950s Malcolm Little had transformed himself into Malcolm X, a leading figure of the civil rights movement. After his father died in 21, Malcolm travelled east, where he became involved in a number of criminal activities. In 1946 he was imprisoned. While serving time, Malcolm became a member of the Nation of Islam. The NOI formed a militant counter-point to the civil rights movement,advocating black supremacy, separation, and economic empowerment. This speech comes four months after Malcolm’s break with the NOI. Init he describes the continued centrality of Islam to the black struggle for liberation.

For more information see:

The Malcolm X Project at Columbia University:

http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccbh/mxp/index.html