Quotes by or about Malcolm X

I do not pretend to be a divine man, but I do believe in divine guidance, divine power, and in the fulfillment of divine prophecy. I am not educated nor am I an expert in any particular field. But I am sincere, and my sincerity is my credentials. 12 March 1964, New York. (Published in Malcolm X Speaks out)

I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color. MX, after his journey, perhaps in interview 18 Jan. 1965, in By any means, p. 158 about MLK

I believe in recognizing every human being as a human being, neither white, black, brown, nor red. When you are dealing with humanity as one family, there's no question of integration or intermarriage. It's just one human being marrying another human being or one human being living with another human being. Interview with Pierre Berton, January 1965.

We are actually fighting for rights that are even greater than civil rights and that is human rights. New York 8 April 1964.

History is a people's Memory. New York, 28 June 1964.

The common goal of 22 million Afro-Americans is respect as human beings, the God-given right to be a human being. Our common goal is to obtain the human rights that America has been denying us. We can never get civil rights in America until our human rights are first restored. We will never be recognized as citizens there until we are first recognized as humans.
"Racism: the Cancer that is Destroying America," in Egyptian Gazette (25 Aug. 1964).

Revolution is like a forest fire. It burns everything in its path. New York, 18 March 1964.

You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom.
"Prospects for Freedom in 1965," speech, 7 Jan. 1965, New York City (published in Malcolm X Speaks, ch. 12, 1965).

I believe in the brotherhood of man, all men, but I don’t believe in brotherhood with anybody who doesn’t want brotherhood with me. I believe in treating people right, but I’m not going to waste my time trying to treat somebody right who doesn’t know how to return the treatment.
Speech, 12 Dec. 1964, New York City.

Concerning non-violence, it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks.
"source unknown"

If we are extremists we're not ashamed of it. In fact, the conditions that our people suffer are extreme and an extreme illness cannot be cured with a moderate medicine. Paris, November 23, 1964

Sitting at the table doesn’t make you a diner. You must be eating some of what’s on that plate. Being here in America doesn’t make you an American. Being born here in America doesn’t make you an American.
"The Ballot or the Bullet," speech, 3 April 1964, Cleveland, Ohio (published in Malcolm X Speaks, ch. 3, 1965).

It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, it will be for the cause of brotherhood. That's the only thing that can save this country. MX, NYC, 19 February 1965

What made Malcolm X Shabazz a great man, is that he had the guts to say what nine tenths of American Negroes would like to say but don't have the guts to say. a Chicago doctor, Militant, 19 April 1965, p.2

Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world. MX, speech at Militant Labor Forum, NY, 29 May 1964, in By any means necessary, p. 178

If you're not ready to die for it, put the word "freedom" out of your vocabulary. MX, Chicago Defender, 28 Nov. 1962, p.8

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. MX, 28 June 1964 at the OAAU Founding Rally, in By any means necessary, p.56

I want Dr. King to know that I didn't come to Selma to make his job difficult. I really did come thinking I could make it easier. If the white people realize what the alternative is, perhaps they will be more willing to hear Dr. King. MX,in Coretta Scott King, "My life with MLK, jr.",p. 256 about Malcolm You know, right before he was killed he came down to Selma and said some pretty passionate things against me, and that surprised me because after all it was my territory there. But afterwards he took my wife aside, and said he thought he could help me more by attacking me than praising me. He thought it would make it easier for me in the long run. MLK, Halberstam, "Second coming of MLK", p.51