On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was fatally shot while giving a speech in New York City. In the days following his death, photos of Malcolm X lying in his casket surfaced, many of which displayed a gun resting on his chest. The image of Malcolm X with a gun became one of the most iconic depictions of the slain civil rights leader, and has been the source of much debate and speculation over the years.
Some have argued that the gun was placed on Malcolm X’s chest by his family or friends as a symbol of power and strength. Others believe that the gun was placed on Malcolm X’s body by the police or the funeral home in an attempt to make him appear as a criminal or a thug.
In 2013, a new photo of Malcolm X’s casket emerged that shows the gun was actually placed on his body by the funeral home. The photo was taken by journalist Earl Caldwell and was recently donated to the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City.
The significance of the Malcolm X Gun Photo has been debated for years, but the new photo provides a more accurate depiction of what happened at Malcolm X’s funeral. Regardless of the motives behind it, the image is a powerful symbol of the struggle for civil rights in America.
Contents
Who took the picture of Malcolm X with the rifle?
There is much speculation surrounding the identity of the person who took the picture of Malcolm X with the rifle. Some believe that the photograph was taken by journalist Alex Haley, while others believe that it was taken by an FBI agent. However, the true identity of the photographer has never been confirmed.
Why was Malcolm X holding the gun?
On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated while giving a speech in Harlem. While the exact details of the shooting are still unknown, it is believed that three gunmen opened fire on Malcolm X, killing him instantly.
One of the most debated questions surrounding Malcolm X’s assassination is why he was holding a gun when he was shot. Some people believe that Malcolm X was carrying the gun for protection, while others believe that he was planning to use it to kill his attackers.
There is no definitive answer to this question, and it is likely that we will never know for sure why Malcolm X was holding the gun. However, there are some plausible explanations for why he might have been carrying it.
One possibility is that Malcolm X was carrying the gun for protection. He had been the target of numerous death threats, and he may have felt that he needed to be armed in order to protect himself.
Another possibility is that Malcolm X was planning to use the gun to kill his attackers. He had been known to be a very volatile and angry man, and it is possible that he was planning to take revenge on his assailants.
Whatever the reason may have been, the fact that Malcolm X was carrying a gun when he was shot remains a mystery. However, the debate over why he was holding the gun is sure to continue.
What kind of gun was Malcolm X shot with?
Malcolm X was fatally shot in the chest with a .45 caliber pistol on February 21, 1965. The shooter was identified as Talmadge Hayer, who was also known as Thomas Hagan. Hayer confessed to being the gunman and was convicted of murder in 1966.
There has been much speculation over the years about what kind of gun was used to kill Malcolm X. Some have claimed that he was shot with a shotgun, while others have said that he was killed with a rifle. However, the true weapon has never been confirmed.
In his book “The Assassination of Malcolm X,” writer William Kunstler wrote that Hayer used a sawed-off shotgun to kill Malcolm X. However, this claim has been disputed by other sources.
In a 2006 interview with the New York Times, Hayer’s lawyer, William Kunstler’s brother, stated that Hayer had actually used a .45 caliber pistol to shoot Malcolm X. This claim has been corroborated by other sources, including police reports from the time of the shooting.
So, what kind of gun was Malcolm X shot with? There is no definitive answer, but it is most likely that he was killed with a .45 caliber pistol.
What did Nicki Minaj say about Malcolm X?
In a recently unearthed interview from 2011, rapper Nicki Minaj made some controversial comments about Malcolm X.
Minaj was asked about her thoughts on the slain civil rights leader, and she had some pretty harsh words. “I’m not really familiar with him,” she said. “I know who he is, but I’m not really familiar with him.”
She went on to say that she felt Malcolm X was “a bit of a terrorist.”
These comments caused a backlash from many of her fans and social media users. Many people were outraged that Minaj would dismiss one of the most important figures in African-American history.
However, Minaj has since defended her comments, saying that she was only speaking her opinion. “I am entitled to my opinion,” she wrote on Twitter. “I wasn’t speaking on behalf of the black community. I was speaking as a young girl who was trying to find her place in the world.”
While Minaj’s comments may have been controversial, it’s important to remember that she has the right to express her opinion. She is a private citizen, and she is entitled to her own views.