Malcolm X found the language that communicated across the board, from college professor to floor sweeper, all at the same time, without demeaning the intellect of either.

Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad's message made a whole lot of people feel whole again, human being again. Some of them came out and found a new meaning to their manhood and their womanhood.

All the working-class people could feel a Malcolm X. They could hear Malcolm X, and two weeks later they could whisper back what he said. Verbatim. They could remember the way he put it, and he put it so well.

When I began my political career, I identified with Malcolm X.

Everyone wants me to be this political person... I'm not Malcolm X.

When I read Malcolm X, I didn't agree with it all, but I inhaled it; I connected to his rage.