Michael Eric Dyson - Malcolm X & the Politics of Race

Michael Eric Dyson has written with insight and depth about Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King. He is Professor of Sociology at Georgetown University. A dynamic political orator in his own right, Professor Dyson spoke at the University of Colorado in Boulder as part of Black History Month in 1995. 

Malcolm X's life represents an extraordinary evolution and transformation from street hustler and ex-con to an intellectual visionary with a race and class analysis. He went from being a narrow nationalist to incorporating a broad global perspective. He articulated a strong challenge to the system of power and privilege. Consequently, the FBI wiretapped Malcolm, read his mail, and kept him under surveillance.

On February 21, 1965 Malcolm X was gunned down at the Audubon Ballroom in West Harlem. In his final year he gave fiery talks throughout the country, including the famous Ballot or the Bullet Speech from King Solomon Baptist Church in Detroit.

This special program marks 50 years since his assassination.