Political Legacies of Malcolm X

Author

• Sumair Ahluwalia, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleFollow

Date of Award

5-1-2026

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

History

First Advisor

Cohen, Ted

Abstract

This study explores the ways in which Malcolm X’s legacy has been co-opted by various institutions and actors, including, but not limited to, politicians, historians, the general public, the federal government, and other commentators. As a result of this co-optation, Malcolm’s revolutionary ideals have been diluted or sanitized in the years since his assassination in 1965. Different approaches have been utilized to reframe Malcolm’s legacy, which include associating him with American liberalism, framing his arguments at the end of his life as markedly less radical, and external interference with popular works about Malcolm, including The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Additionally, this study addresses the ways Malcolm has been both invoked and appropriated by prominent political figures such as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and former President Barack Obama. It heavily utilizes primary sources produced by Malcolm, including interviews, speeches, and essays. In addition, it utilizes speeches and interviews pertaining to contemporary politics in order to understand how Malcolm is being invoked today. In analyzing Malcolm on his own terms and in his own words, this study attempts to recenter his unique brand of revolutionary politics, which are crucial for engaging with issues of racial politics in the present day.