url=https://journals.lub.lu.se/STK/article/download/21578/19823 (January 1, 2020), "The Semiotics of Malcolm X from Harlem to Tahrir", Open Journals at Lund University 1 pages: 55–56 (June 1964), MALCOLM X: THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS DEATH, medium: Television interview, people: X, Malcolm, place: New York City, publisher: MalcolmShabazz (uploader)
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No Negro leaders have fought for civil rights; they have begged for civil rights. They have begged the white man for civil rights. They have begged the white man for freedom. And anytime you beg another man to set you free, you'll never be free. Freedom is something that you have to do for yourselves. And until the American Negro lets the white man know that we are really ready and willing to pay the price that is necessary for freedom, our people will always be walking around here second-class citizens or what you call twentieth-century slaves. [Interviewer asked Malcolm, "What price are you talking about, sir?"] The price of freedom is death.

— Malcolm X

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "No Negro leaders have fought for civil rights; they have begged for civil rights. They have begged the white man for civil rights. They have begged the white man for freedom. And anytime you beg another man to set you free, you'll never be free. Freedom is something that you have to do for yourselves. And until the American Negro lets the white man know that we are really ready and willing to pay the price that is necessary for freedom, our people will always be walking around here second-class citizens or what you call twentieth-century slaves. [Interviewer asked Malcolm, "What price are you talking about, sir?"] The price of freedom is death." in the context of "url=https://journals.lub.lu.se/STK/article/download/21578/19823 (January 1, 2020), "The Semiotics of Malcolm X from Harlem to Tahrir", Open Journals at Lund University 1 pages: 55–56 (June 1964), MALCOLM X: THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS DEATH, medium: Television interview, people: X, Malcolm, place: New York City, publisher: MalcolmShabazz (uploader)" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Quote Image
Source: Wikiquote: "Malcolm X" (Quotes, 1964) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed February 05, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app

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#Malcolm X#freedom#man#rights#begged#civil#white#price#negro#free#what#twentiethcentury
Malcolm X

About Malcolm X

El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, or Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little (19 May 1925 – 21 February 1965) was an American Muslim minister and a human rights activist. For many years, he was a major proponent of the Nation of Islam, espousing black supremacy, the separation of black and white Americans, and scoffing at the civil rights movement's emphasis on racial integration. By March 1964, he had grown disillusioned with the Nation of Islam and ultimately repudiated its teachings, embracing Sunni Islam; while continuing to emphasize Pan-Africanism, black self-determination, and black self-defense, disavowing racism. In February 1965, he was assassinated by three men, all of whom were affiliated with the Nation of Islam. The Autobiography of Malcolm X, published shortly after his death, is considered one of the most influential non-fiction books of the 20th century.