We all know the story of civil rights chief Malcolm X, however historical past lessons by no means educate us about how his legacy continued via his kids. X married Dr. Betty Shabazz in 1958, and collectively, they gave start to 6 daughters. After he was killed at age 39, the Shabazz girls have sued the NYPD, FBI, and CIA over his demise.
It’s been precisely six many years since Malcolm — born Malcolm Little— was assassinated, and to honor his life and legacy, we’re taking a better take a look at the lives and careers of his six daughters.
Who Is Attallah Shabazz?
The eldest Shabazz daughter was born shortly after her mother and father married. Now 66 years previous, Attallah was solely six when she witnessed her father’s homicide in New York Metropolis.
“I had — and nonetheless have — flashbacks,” she informed PEOPLE in 1983. “I’d stumble upon folks from the Nation of Islam, and I assumed they have been going to do the identical factor to me.” Attallah turned a motivational speaker. She even collaborated with Yolanda King, daughter of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., for a 1979 Ebony photoshoot and joint lecture tour referred to as “Moving into Tomorrow.”
Who Is Qubilah Shabazz?
Born on Christmas day in 1960, Qubilah Shabazz was named after the Thirteenth-century emperor, Kubla Khan. Qubilah dropped out of Princeton College and moved to Paris. Whereas in Europe, she gave start to a son named Malcolm after her father.
The 2 finally moved to los Angeles. However life took a flip after she was arrested in 1995 for conspiring to kill Louis Farrakhan, the Nation of Islam chief whom she believed was accountable for her father’s assassination, in response to the Los Angeles Occasions. Finally, Qubilah accepted a plea deal.
Who Is Ilyasah Shabazz?
Ilyasah was solely two when she witnessed Malcolm’s killing. Nonetheless, she stays probably the most acknowledged Shabazz daughter and really vocal about her father’s legacy. At 62 years previous, Ilyasah is an award profitable writer and professor. Most notably, her guide “Rising Up X” particulars her childhood and her relationship along with her father.
In 2020, she informed Essence “Folks used to say, Malcolm — he was offended, he was violent.” she continued saying, “Now we’re capable of see he merely had a profound response to injustice.”
Who Is Gamilah Lumumba?
The fourth Shabazz daughter was born in 1964, making her solely six months when X was killed. “He was there,” she mentioned in response to “Betty Shabazz: Surviving Malcolm X.” And regardless of her probably not understanding her father, she insists he was nonetheless round. “You’ll be able to really feel one thing guiding you. And for those who ask any of my sisters, they’ll inform you. It wasn’t simply that [Mom] talked about him. His presence was there.” Gamilah, a theater arts main, finally bowed out of the highlight. She’s 60 years previous.
Who Are Malikah and Malaak Shabazz?
Simply seven months after X’s assassination, Malikah and her twin sister, Malaak, have been born. Her mom named each women to honor their father’s Arabic identify, Malik.
Malikah grew as much as examine structure and even created a mentorship group for college kids. In 1998, she gave start to a daughter, only one 12 months after her mom’s demise. In 2021, Malikah was discovered useless in her residence after she had been “in poor health for a time frame.” She was 56 years previous.
Malaak, the infant of the Shabazz girls, studied biochemistry in class. In 2015, she informed FRANCE 24, “I don’t suppose issues could be this unhealthy if he was nonetheless alive.” She continued, “I feel immediately, he could be the Mandela, be the Kofi Annan, who they referred to as on… It was his ardour to verify injustice was heard.”