Malcolm X – 1965 Militant Labor Forum Speech

Malcolm X – 1965 Militant Labor Forum Speech

Malcolm X spoke at the Militant Labor Forum in New York City on January 7, 1965, delivering a historic address titled “Prospects for Freedom in 1965” just six weeks before his assassination.

Key Details of the Event

• Date: January 7, 1965
• Location: New York City (hosted by supporters of the socialist newsweekly The Militant, the Socialist Workers Party, and the Young Socialist Alliance)
• Chairperson: Clifton DeBerry (the Socialist Workers Party 1964 presidential candidate) chaired the meeting.
• Significance: It was Malcolm X’s third and final appearance at the Militant Labor Forum, marking a major shift where he stepped outside the traditional Black community of Harlem to speak directly to a revolutionary socialist and working-class audience.

Core Themes of the Speech

• Global Anti-Imperialist Struggle: Malcolm X connected the Black freedom struggle in the United States to worldwide anti-colonial and anti-imperialist revolutions unfolding across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He famously emphasized non-white unity, stating, “when I say black, I mean non-white—black, brown, red or yellow.”
• Critique of U.S. Politics: He strongly opposed both the Democratic and Republican parties, criticizing how the Democratic establishment (including President Lyndon B. Johnson and Hubert Humphrey) bypassed the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP) challenge earlier that month.
• Call for Independent Action: He urged youth and working people to “see for yourself and listen for yourself and think for yourself” rather than relying on capitalist political structures.
• Publication: Major excerpts and transcripts from the speech were preserved and published in Malcolm X Speaks by Pathfinder Press.