The singular voice of Malcolm X speaks today to more people than ever before. His autobiography continues to sell in great numbers. Millions have seen the Spike Lee movie. Malcolm endures as a powerful and inspirational figure. It's not hard to understand why. With his mesmerizing oratorical style and cadence it was Malcolm who redefined the discourse on race. He moved the discussion from notions of "prejudice" and "discrimination" to racism. It was Malcolm who articulated concepts like "community control" and "white power structure." It was Malcolm who made it clear that Blacks were the victims of a system of domination and exploitation that was not regional but national, not superficial but structural, not episodic but ongoing and intentional. His uncompromising critical analysis gave Malcolm his moral authority. He was assassinated on February 21, 1965, but as new generations discover him, his ideas live on.

Manning Marable
Manning Marable, a renowned scholar, is professor of public affairs, political science, history and African American studies at Columbia University. His syndicated column "Along the Color Line" appears in over 400 newspapers and journals worldwide. He's the author of many books including "How Capitalism Underdeveloped Black America" and "Living Black History." His latest is "Malcolm X: A Life of Reinvention."