Malcolmxism: The Evolution of Malcolm X's Political Philosophy and Its Impact on Pan-African Thought and Praxis

• In Event: Black Autobiographies and Blueprints for Justice: Voices of Power

Abstract

This research investigates the evolution of Malcolm X's political philosophy during the final year of his life, challenging the notion that he was abandoning Black nationalism in favor of socialism, and exploring his development of a revolutionary Pan-African framework. George Breitman, in his book The Last Year of Malcolm X, posits that Malcolm X was progressing toward a synthesis of Black nationalism and socialism that would resonate with the American context and be acceptable to the broader Black community. However, this interpretation can be seen as an attempt by certain white socialists to appropriate Malcolm X's legacy.

A nuanced analysis of his philosophical development in that pivotal year reveals the emergence of a distinct school of Pan-African thought. This framework, which may be termed "Malcolmxism," differentiates itself from earlier movements such as Nkrumahism, Garveyism, or more general forms of Pan-Africanism. The foundations of Malcolmxism can be traced through various speeches, interviews, and the founding document of the Organization of Afro-American Unity. This study will further explore the trajectory of Pan-African thought during the first half of the twentieth century, elucidating how Malcolm X's theoretical contributions shaped the Black internationalist movement of the 1960s and continue to exert influence on contemporary Black liberation efforts in the United States. George Klay Kieh, Jr., in his work Malcolm X and Pan-Africanism, appears to be the only work that dealt with this topic in any detail. My research aims to fill the gaps in the discourse on Malcolm X’s political philosophy.

Author

• Ikemba B. Ojore, Medgar Evers College