Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz and the Legacy of Malcolm X
Dec 26, 2025
Dr. Ilyasah Shabazz, the third daughter of Malcolm X and acclaimed author, shares insights on her father's enduring autobiography. She emphasizes its relevance in shaping identity and understanding history. Ilyasah dives into misconceptions about her family, highlighting Betty Shabazz's strength. She reflects on the impact of Islam in their lives and stresses the importance of reclaiming Black history. Ilyasah also encourages young people to read her father's work, urging them to find their identity and battle misinformation about the past.
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Autobiography's Everlasting Relevance
- The Autobiography of Malcolm X continues to reveal new relevance with each read.
- Ilyasah Shabazz says it shapes human possibility and offers lessons for moving forward.
Foundation Over Transformation
- Malcolm X's moral foundation came from family influences and early community engagement.
- Ilyasah Shabazz stresses that jail didn't magically create the icon; his upbringing did.
Betty Shabazz's Unyielding Strength
- Betty Shabazz kept the family intact despite surveillance, firebombing, and Malcolm X's assassination.
- Ilyasah Shabazz credits her mother's refusal to accept 'no' for raising six resilient daughters.