Malcolm X is an American Muslim minister and human rights activist who is known for his advocacy for black Americans’ civil rights during the mid-20th century.
Malcolm X’s Children
His legacy continues to live on through his family, including his five surviving children. In this article, we will explore the lives and achievements of Malcolm X’s children, who they are, and how they have carried on their father’s legacy.
- Attallah Shabazz
Attallah Shabazz is the eldest daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz. She was born in 1958, just two months after her father’s first trip to Africa.
Attallah was raised in New York City and, like her parents, was involved in the civil rights movement from an early age. In 1965, when she was just six years old, her father was assassinated in New York City.
Despite the tragic loss of her father, Attallah went on to have a successful career in education and entertainment.
She holds a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz and a master’s degree from New York University. Attallah has also appeared in a number of films and television shows, including “Malcolm X” (1992), directed by Spike Lee.
- Qubilah Shabazz
Qubilah Shabazz is Malcolm X’s second daughter and the only one to have children of her own. She was born in 1960 and was only four years old when her father was assassinated.
In 1995, Qubilah was accused of plotting to kill Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam. She pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to probation.
Despite the challenges she has faced in her personal life, Qubilah has worked to continue her father’s legacy through the Malcolm X Foundation, which she founded in 1994.
The foundation provides educational programs and community outreach services to underserved communities.
- Ilyasah Shabazz
Ilyasah Shabazz is the third daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz. She was born in 1962 and, like her sisters, was deeply affected by her father’s assassination. In the years following her father’s death, Ilyasah struggled with drug addiction and depression.
However, she eventually turned her life around and became a successful author and public speaker. Her books include “Growing Up X” (2002) and “Malcolm Little:
The Boy Who Grew Up to Become Malcolm X” (2013). Ilyasah also serves as a spokesperson for the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in New York City.
- Gamilah Lumumba Shabazz
Gamilah Lumumba Shabazz is the fourth daughter of Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz. She was born in 1964 and, like her siblings, was deeply impacted by her father’s assassination.
Gamilah has worked as an educator and community organizer, with a focus on empowering young people and promoting social justice.
In 2020, Gamilah spoke out against the death of George Floyd and the ongoing struggle for racial justice in the United States. She called for peaceful protests and urged young people to get involved in the fight for change.
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