♪ ♪
GOV. WALLACE (over TV): And I say segregation now,
segregation tomorrow, and segregation forever.
♪ ♪
SHABAZZ: Red or blue?
MALCOLM X: Neither.
So I had three choices?
SHABAZZ: Uh-hmm.
CORETTA: None of this would have been possible without you.
KING JR.: Well, they haven't passed it yet
and Senator Thurmond is doing all that he
can to make sure it never happens.
CORETTA: We should invite the Senator to Montgomery.
Show him what happens to those who fight on
the side of "never."
SHABAZZ: Are you sure you wanna go through with this?
These people will try to run you out of town.
MALCOLM X: Well, you know I don't run.
SHABAZZ: Then walk fast.
Be careful.
CORETTA: All that has been sacrificed,
that we sacrificed, it'll all be worth it today.
KING JR.: Half these folks don't believe the things they're
saying and the other half don't know what to believe.
CORETTA: Well, you better hurry up and help them decide.
MALCOLM X: Don't answer the door while I'm gone.
KING JR.: Don't leave the room until I come back.
REPORTER: Malcolm, what do you think of the Senate debate?
MALCOLM X: Well, the debate's a con game threatening to provoke
a race war if the government's not serious about
civil rights enforcement.
REPORTER: Do you support changes to the bill?
MALCOLM X: No, the bill should be passed
exactly as written with no changes.
But the struggle for Black equality won't end.
You can't legislate goodwill.
REPORTER: Are you suggesting that people fear many
of your views?
MALCOLM X: Well, I'm not surprised that
some may fear the truth,
but my two eldest daughters sit either side of me
on the couch when I show them my butterfly collection.
I ask them if anyone should fear me.
REPORTER: You have a butterfly collection?
MALCOLM X: Oh, yes. I admire the butterfly.
They start off crawling, clinging to life,
moving slowly in the dirt hoping not to be stepped on.
Then one day they are transformed into something
beautiful that can fly without limitations.
Now, isn't that something truly revolutionary?
There's a lesson in that if you're willing to learn.
REPORTER: Dr. King, how do you respond to Senator Thurmond
threatening to filibuster the Civil Rights Bill?
KING JR.: Well, I'm here today doing this critical debate
to convince his fellow senators to do otherwise.
But I assure you,
we will not be content even after this bill is passed.
The failure to pass the bill would thrust our nation
into a dim horizon of social turmoil.
REPORTER: Are you suggesting it might be violence if
the bill is defeated?
KING JR.: Realism impels me to admit that if the bill
is not passed,
it'll be harder to keep the struggle disciplined.
(overlapping chatter)
(flash bulbs popping)
MALCOLM X: Reverend.
KING JR.: Minister.
MALCOLM X: I've been hoping for this day for a long time.
We meet at last.
KING JR.: It seems like we've attracted quite
a bit of attention.
What makes me think you may have invited them?
MALCOLM X: No.
I'm sure they must be here for you, Doctor.
One thing's for certain,
you're now going to be investigated.
KING JR.: Well, I have it on good authority.
My file is already much larger than yours.
(flash bulbs popping)
MALCOLM X: Who do you think this is going to
hurt more, you or me?
KING JR.: I imagine it's unlikely to aid
either one of us.
MALCOLM X: Well, then let's keep them guessing.
KING JR.: Amen to that.
MALCOLM X: All praise to Allah.
We should do this again sometime.
KING JR.: Absolutely.
♪ ♪
LITTLE: A people without the knowledge of
their culture, history, or origin, is like a tree
without the root.
Those are the words of the Honorable Marcus Garvey.
Organizer of our first Black nationalist movement.
(overlapping chatter)
Who taught us that Black skin isn't a badge of shame.
But a symbol of glorious symbol of national greatness.
MALCOLM: Yeah.
LITTLE: 30, 60, 90 years from now,
do you think that America will ever fully
embrace the Black man?
MALCOLM: No! ALL: No.
LITTLE: Uh-uh, as long as Negroes live in America,
our masses will suffer,
lives of ruin, heartache, despair.
We must unite, build, protect a land of our own.
Malcolm.
We do not fight for ourselves,
we fight for our children.
MAN: Right.
LITTLE: We have one destiny.
Before you leave here tonight,
make sure you sign up for the
Universal Negro Improvement Association.
Be a part of the largest movement of Negroes
in the world!
ALL: Yeah!
LITTLE: What do you say, Malcolm?
MALCOLM: Africa for the Africans,
at home and abroad!
ALL: Yes!
Africa for the Africans, at home and abroad!
KING SR.: There are some that would have us believe
that we don't belong here.
WOMAN: Uh-hmm.
KING SR.: That we should just pack on up and
go back to Africa!
And some of the people who believe this look just like you.
They look just like me.
MAN: Yeah.
KING SR.: I don't know about y'all,
but I ain't going nowhere.
ALL: That's right.
KING SR.: America was built on the backs of our people
during 400 years of free labor!
400 years of our blood.
400 years of our sweat.
400 years of our tears baked into the soil!
(applause and cheering)
(silverware clinks)
I had an uncle named Martin and another one named Luther.
So in their honor and in keeping with the
wishes of my father,
I'm changing my name to Martin Luther.
As well as yours.
ALBERTA: Are you sure you're not doing this because
of your trip to Berlin when you came back all excited about
the land of Martin Luther?
KING SR.: Don't matter why,
just matters that I made the decision to do it.
ALBERTA: All his friends know him as Mike.
KING SR.: Now they can know him as Martin.
MICHAEL: But I don't wanna change my name.
I like Michael.
DELIA: Shouldn't he have some say in the matter?
KING SR.: Did he have a say the first time?
New name denotes a new identity.
Disciple Peter got rebranded by Jesus Christ himself.
ALBERTA: I named him after the Archangel.
KING SR.: My son will have the same name that I
have chosen for myself.
I haven't given you permission to leave the table.
MICHAEL: May I be excused?
KING SR.: After today's service,
maybe we go get some ice cream?
You know what kind you want, Martin?
Martin, I am speaking to you.
And I know you can hear me.
Also know you're upset.
And you have a right to be.
I'm sorry about that.
I want you to feel proud that you're sharing my name,
but it's not for me.
The name is for you.
MICHAEL: Why?
KING SR.: The moment you were born,
I knew that God had given me a son who was destined
for great things.
You should have a name that reflects that.
MICHAEL: What am I gonna tell my friends?
KING SR.: I can tell them how special the name is
if that'll help.
Is there a problem?
MICHAEL: All my friends are afraid of you.
KING SR.: Well, I guess I can come across as a bit, uh...
MICHAEL: Scary.
♪ ♪
MALCOLM: Can we get some food? It's free.
(brakes squeaking)
LITTLE: We will never stand in a soup line.
We will never accept charity as long as we have land to
tend to our needs.
MALCOLM: Yes, sir.
Do you always believe the words you preach?
LITTLE: I believe in telling people the truth.
No matter what, even if they don't wanna hear it.
You are my seventh child, hmm.
Now, the number seven has a magical power.
You will do more and accomplish more than everyone
in that line.
You, you wanna do things I could only dream of.
All right?
MALCOLM: Uh-hmm.
♪ Trois plus trois égal á six ♪
♪ Quatre plus quatre égal huit ♪
♪ Cinq plus clinq égal dix ♪
LOUISE: Malcolm, do you know why it is important
to be unafraid?
MALCOLM: I think I do.
LOUISE: Not enough to think. Need to know.
Are any of you afraid?
ALL: No.
LOUISE: No? Not even when I do this!
(screaming and laughter)
LITTLE: Education's supposed to be serious!
LOUISE: Earl.
(screaming and laughter)
(knock)
ANDREWS: You're living in a Whites only area.
You understand that?
DANIELS: He don't know what a Whites-only covenant means,
do you, boy?
LITTLE: Don't come to my home and.
LOUISE: I know what it means, boy.
I can defend it in four languages.
In Spanish, it means
significa contrato o arreglo or sav le di kontra oswa antant
in Creole.
Have a good night, hab ah gud evenin.
That's Patois.
DANIELS: Since you can't control your woman,
maybe we should be dealing with her from
now on instead of you.
LOUISE: Baby, I'm sorry.
MALCOLM: Momma!
LITTLE: Malcolm.
(crickets and dogs barking)
(glass breaking)
LOUISE: Oh, no! Oh, God!
LITTLE: Get the children!
LOUISE: Go! Run, run, run!
Babies, go!
Run!
Wilfred! Please. Come. Run, run!
Reginald!
Run out!
Run, run, run.
Missy, come, come.
♪ Oh, Lord ♪
♪ Through the pain ♪
♪ Oh, and through the stress ♪
♪ I know somehow ♪
♪ It has to get better, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ Sometimes you get left, yeah ♪
♪ Left with nothing at all ♪
♪ Oh still, I know, I know it will ♪
LOUISE: Earl?
♪ So I'll run, run ♪
LOUISE: Don't go out, babe, please.
I have seen something bad happening.
LITTLE: I can't pay no attention to
your premonitions, Louise.
I gotta go to town and show these people I ain't afraid.
LOUISE: But, Earl.
Earl. Earl, please, Earl, please.
♪ When you took my heart ♪
♪ Oh, you know you took my soul ♪
♪ I wonder how could the world be so cold ♪
♪ Oh, but I'm reminded of something old, uh, ♪
♪ That the bible says that one day death ♪
♪ I got faith in miracles ♪
♪ Yeah ♪
♪ Faith that I would be all right, ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ As I come and as I go ♪
♪ Faith to believe that His word is true ♪
♪ ♪
ELLA MAE: I was his favorite when he was married to my mom.
MALCOLM: I'm his favorite now. Was his favorite.
ELLA MAE: I'm Ella Mae, your sister.
You should come visit me.
MALCOLM: Where do you live?
ELLA MAE: Boston. MALCOLM: Where's that?
ELLA MAE: Not here.
ARNOLD: And if elected class president,
every Friday I'll bring my mother's homemade cookies.
Thank you.
MR. OSTROWSKI: Next.
MALCOLM: As class president, I'll make sure,
I'll make sure that everyone gets a chance to be
in the front of the line when we go to lunch.
I'll create a system where we rotate.
And if we have a test coming up,
I'll help organize study groups.
And lastly, if elected,
I'll make sure Arnold doesn't bring homemade cookies
because last time, they were nasty.
Sorry, Arnold.
MR. OSTROWSKI: All right.
Thank you.
The new seventh-grade class president is Malcolm Little.
Come on, up, Malcolm.
Congratulations, you should be very proud.
MALCOLM: Thank you.
MR. OSTROWSKI: Tell me, what do you wanna be when you grow up?
MALCOLM: A lawyer.
MR. OSTROWSKI: No, Malcolm, you're good with your hands.
Carpenter is a great job for your people.
Obviously, being a lawyer is no goal for a nigger.
All right.
Let's talk about our test on Friday and your essay.
MALCOLM: Ella Mae, it's me, your brother Malcolm.
Listen, I don't know what to do.
They took our home away.
JUDGE CARR: The court rules you are in violation of the
city's White Only covenant.
MALCOLM: They took away my mother.
LOUISE: No, no, wait, no, no.
MALCOLM: Hey! LOUISE: Malcolm.
MALCOLM: Theres nothing here for me anymore.
You think I could still come stay with you?
ELLA MAE: Hmm, go ahead.
(coughs)
(Ella Mae laughs)
Go in that candy store and go buy something.
Hey...
And when the cashier gives you your change,
you tell him you gave him a $10 bill with your name on it.
MALCOLM: But this isn't a $10 bill.
ELLA MAE: Uh-hmm, trust me.
CASHIER: Something wrong, boy?
MALCOLM: I gave you a 10.
CASHIER: You think I can't tell a difference between
a dollar and a ten?
MALCOLM: My mother had me sign it in case I lost it or,
some dishonest man tried to cheat me.
Go ahead and check.
CASHIER: I ain't got time for foolishness.
What's your name?
MALCOLM: Malcolm Little.
ELLA MAE: This is only the beginning.
OFFICER: Hey, you, stop!
Hey, hold it right there!
Stop running!
Why didn't you stop?
MALCOLM: Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, get off him!
OFFICER: Back the hell up, boy!
ELLA MAE: Sorry, officer, sorry. He don't know no better.
MALCOLM: I don't know no better?
ELLA MAE: What the hell were you thinking?
I got all this stuff on me!
You risked us both getting busted!
MALCOLM: So I'm supposed to pretend like I don't see
what I saw?
It wasn't right!
ELLA MAE: And your skinny little black ass is
- gonna make it right? - MALCOLM: I'm not afraid of them.
Our daddy took on the Klan.
ELLA MAE: And where did that get him?
These people up here don't need sheets and hoods!
You wanna be like our daddy or you wanna be alive?
You're a smart kid Malcolm,
but you need to learn something.
There's only two kinds of people in this world.
Those who hustle and those who get hustled.
The sooner you realize that the better.
♪ It don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing ♪
SANFORD: Woo, my man, Red.
♪ It don't mean a thing all you've gotta do is swing ♪
MALCOLM: Smooth.
SANFORD: Yes, sir.
♪ It makes no difference if it's sweet or hot ♪
♪ Just keep that rhythm, ♪
♪ Give it everything you've got ♪
♪ It don't mean a thing ♪
♪ If it ain't got that swing ♪
SANFORD: Hey, Red.
What you think about this hat, man?
MALCOLM: Oh, yes, sir.
SANFORD: Uh-hmm. MALCOLM: Yes, sir.
SANFORD: What you think?
MALCOLM: You like it? SANFORD: Come on.
Next time, huh?
He looking right at us.
MALCOLM: I think it's time to go.
SANFORD: Watch that baby shine in the light.
That's real deal gold.
MALCOLM: Hey, man, we can do better than this.
SANFORD: Better? MALCOLM: Yeah.
I've been casin' this mansion just outside the city.
Rich White folks that live there are never home,
it's easy money.
SANFORD: Easy get a lot of people killed.
'Sides, you keep goin' against these White folks,
you're gonna get hurt.
MALCOLM: White folks can't do a damn thing to hurt me more
than they already have.
SANFORD: Red, you fly too close to the sun.
MALCOLM: You don't need to join us.
SANFORD: I'm just tellin' you as a friend.
This feels like a mistake.
MALCOLM: And I'm telling you I don't need no friends.
You're either a hustler or you're getting hustled.
Least I figured out which one I am.
Can you say the same?
♪ Oh, no one to talk with, by myself ♪
♪ No one to walk with, I'm happy on the shelf ♪
♪ Misbehavin', savin' my love for you ♪
MALCOLM: Let's go!
♪ I know for certain the one I love ♪
♪ I'm through with flirtin', ♪
♪ You that I'm thinkin' of misbehavin' ♪
♪ Savin' my love oh baby, love for you ♪
♪ Like Jack Horner in the corner ♪
(sirens)
(flash bulb pop)
ALBERTA: Martin, your father and I are attending a
fundraiser at Spelman.
We need you to help momma set up the Woman's Day event
at Mount Olive Church today.
MARTIN: But today's the last day of the fair.
Everyone will be there.
KING SR.: Family comes first. Now you do as we tell you.
(kids playing and laughing)
MAN: All right folks, step right in.
(gasps)
MARTIN: Yeah!
♪ ♪
Momma.
(overlapping chatter)
♪ ♪
(thud)
ALBERTA: ML?
KING SR.: What was that? ALBERTA: What?
KING SR.: Martin? ALBERTA: ML?
KING SR.: Oh, no. ALBERTA: Oh, God, Martin!
KING SR.: No, no, no, no, no, no, Martin.
Martin, no.
Martin. Son.
- Son, can you hear me? - ALBERTA: Is he okay?
KING SR.: We need an ambulance. ALBERTA: Is he breathing?
KING SR.: Alberta, get an ambulance.
Please call an ambulance.
ALBERTA: Yes, yes, yes.
KING SR.: Martin? Martin, look at me.
Oh, Lord.
DOCTOR: Your son's extremely fortunate.
ALBERTA: Then he's going to be all right?
DOCTOR: From any physical injuries.
But a suicide attempt is a warning.
I can refer you to someone who.
ALBERTA: No, thank you, doctor.
But our son is quite strong, and he just needs rest.
MARTIN: What does the Constitution mean to me?
A 15-year-old Negro who in my brief life has known
the heartache of being denied the tranquility once promised.
What does it mean to my father who prays with his congregation
so that justice may be established for all one day?
What did it mean to my grandmother...
Who in her entire life never secured the
blessings of liberty,
and yet taught me that a more perfect union
was still possible?
My heart soars beyond the clouds with the promise of hope,
encouraged by the lessons of Lincoln,
and inspired by the word of God,
that this country shall one day tear down the final wall
to perfect freedom.
And I, standing aside my brothers,
finally claiming my rightful lineage and
keeping my head high, may march alongside the Saxon,
a Negro, and still a man!
MAN: Yes.
(applause and cheers)
MISS BRADLEY: It'll always be a reminder of this special day.
You should be very proud, Martin.
MARTIN: Thank you, Miss Bradley.
I'll keep it in a special place.
BUS DRIVER: You two need to give up your seats.
MARTIN: We were here first.
Miss Bradley, you know this isn't right.
I'm not getting up.
MISS BRADLEY: Martin, we have to obey the law.
We have no choice.
Do as he says.
MARTIN: At least allow my teacher to sit.
BUS DRIVER: She ain't no different than you or any
other colored person.
You two can get up or you can get off my bus and
walk the 90 miles back to Atlanta.
MISS BRADLEY: Sir, we'll do as you ask.
It's all right, Martin.
♪ ♪
HANDY: When is this meeting going to start?
I'm giving him two more minutes.
COLEMAN: Damn.
HANDY: Ooh, maybe a few more minutes won't hurt.
KING JR.: Crank y'all's neck any harder and you'll
need to see a doctor.
HANDY: Oh. Our Royal Majesty has arrived.
Everyone please, please, a round of applause.
Please.
KING JR.: Why are you always starting something, W.T.?
HANDY: I'm not starting nothin', other than this meeting we have.
KING JR.: Hmm.
HANDY: Which shoulda started five minutes ago.
KING JR.: Shut up. ALL: Oooh.
(laughter)
KING JR.: So I propose we formalize our group and
call ourselves the Dialectical Society.
Our purpose will be to analyze and debate philosophical and
theological ideas as they relate to our situation in the
United States.
HANDY: It's just us.
Why you trying to be all formal?
We know the real reason you created this group.
So you can get more women.
KING JR.: Can we return to resolving the problems of the world,
philosophically, socially, and in the theological realm?
Hmm?
And for your information,
I don't need to organize this group to get women.
(group scoffs and laughs)
(operatic vocalization)
POWELL: You sound like an angel.
CORETTA: Angels don't have to try so hard to stay on key.
POWELL: You remember the theology student I
told you about?
CORETTA: The one you told me about five times or was it six?
POWELL: Well, he's making quite a name for himself as
one of the most eligible bachelors in Boston.
They say when he gives a sermon,
the whole chapel shakes from floor to ceiling.
CORETTA: Well, that is a sign that God's not happy.
POWELL: Well, you probably won't be either.
I slipped him your telephone number and he wants to
see you tonight.
CORETTA: Girl.
When we spoke on the phone,
I hadn't imagined you to be so young.
How are your doctoral studies coming?
KING JR.: Well, my dissertation is on the
Comparisons of the Conceptions of God
in the Thinking of Paul Tillich and
Henry Nelson Wieman.
That's a fascinating subject.
CORETTA: I imagine it would be.
Didn't they both deny the personality of God as well as
the possibility of personal knowledge of him?
KING JR.: And I was under the impression that you were
studying music.
How did you become so.
CORETTA: Intelligent for a woman?
KING JR.: Oh, no, I didn't, I didn't mean that.
CORETTA: How's your steak?
What's wrong? You don't like it?
KING JR.: If anyone ever doubted the existence of God,
they need only to look at you.
All such beauty could not be the result of an accident.
And well, that smile could never be left to mere chance.
CORETTA: Oh, my!
Have you used that line before?
KING JR.: Many times. CORETTA: And has it worked?
KING JR.: Always.
But I've never wanted it to work as much as I do now.
I think you should know that I'm a man who doesn't need
a lot of time to know what he wants.
And you have everything I have ever wanted in a wife.
CORETTA: A wife? KING JR.: Yes.
There are four things I require in a wife,
character, personality,
intelligence, and beauty.
You have them all.
CORETTA: Martin, I'm flattered,
but I'm not looking for a husband.
I have my studies to consider, my singing,
and working to one day perform at the
Metropolitan Opera House.
KING JR.: And I'll be right there,
cheering you on.
You're looking at a man on mission.
And it starts with seeing you again.
CORETTA: You're too young to be in such a rush.
I think God would forgive you for taking a
break every now and then.
KING JR.: You know, there was a time after my grandmother's death
when God and I were not on the best of terms.
CORETTA: And are you now?
KING JR.: How could I not believe or want to be in
His Good Grace?
But I know I'll never stop questioning my duty to God.
Suppose that makes me a work in progress.
CORETTA: Well, Martin King,
I believe you're going to do great things in God's world.
♪ ♪
REGINALD: The other night, momma's favorite song,
"Ain't Misbehavin'" was playing on the radio.
You remember when Daddy and Momma were dancing
to that song,
and she begged him not to sing?
And he said.
MALCOLM: "But Louise, you love my singin'."
REGINALD: And she said, "Earl, I love it...
BOTH: "When you stop."
REGINALD: You should write to everyone.
I know they'd love to hear from you.
MALCOLM: You know what they called me when I
first got here?
Satan.
They thought I didn't believe in anything.
REGINALD: No.
There's always something worth believing in.
Our parents taught us that.
And no one is going to judge you, Malcolm,
especially family.
MALCOLM: I hurt a lot of people.
I can't even remember them all.
I don't even know what it is I was looking for.
REGINALD: I've joined the Nation of Islam.
So have Wilfred and Philbert, most of the family,
even Ella Mae.
There's this messenger, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad,
who leads us.
He reminds me of our father and believes in self-reliance,
and self-esteem that empowers Black people.
MALCOLM: And you believe him?
REGINALD: Some of it.
But he has the same power as Daddy, can make you listen,
can make you change.
Maybe he can help you find whatever it was
you're looking for.
MALCOLM: I doubt it.
REGINALD: Give it a chance, please.
As-Salaam-Alaikum, Malcolm.
MALCOLM: What the hell does that mean?
REGINALD: You'll know in time.
♪ I've been waiting ♪
♪ Waiting for my own messiah ♪
♪ I've been waiting for a sign ♪
♪ I've been running ♪
♪ Running from my own desires ♪
♪ Oh, I'm running out of time ♪
♪ No more standing still before the light ♪
♪ Waiting the tide ♪
♪ No more standing by ♪
♪ I'll run a mile till we collide ♪
♪ No more standing still before the light ♪
♪ Waiting the tide ♪
♪ No more standing still, ♪
♪ I'll run a mile till we collide ♪
♪ Jericho's falling down ♪
♪ Ooh ♪
(screaming)
MALCOLM: You got me!
♪ Ooh ♪
♪ ♪
MALCOLM: "And those who believe and do righteous deeds,
we will surely remove from them their misdeeds,
will surely reward them according to the best of what
they used to do."
MUHAMMAD: Dearest Malcolm,
Brother Reginald has regaled me with stories of
your education while in prison and I want you to know
I admire your thirst for the true knowledge of the
Black man through Islam.
We are Kings, ordained by Allah himself.
We are not prisoners.
The Black prisoner has symbolized White society's
crime of keeping Black men oppressed and ignorant.
To defeat this, we will need courage,
courage you are showing now.
The Nation of Islam teaches our people the true knowledge
of who we are.
It is then and only then,
the Negro in America shall understand themselves and
the world they inhabit.
For it is he who is not aware in the knowledge of self,
that is the true prisoner.
GUARD: No wonder you need these.
What you readin' all this stuff for anyway?
MALCOLM: Prison debate team is going up against some
Ivy League students.
Need to prepare.
You know, you should put some money in us to win.
GUARD: You couldn't debate my ass.
And debatin' ain't gonna get you out of here.
MALCOLM: You ever consider maybe you're the one in prison?
MAN: The mere threat of imprisonment is not
a sufficient restraint.
However, the death penalty is a uniquely potent deterrent for
potentially violent offenders.
(applause)
MALCOLM: Our distinguished friends on the other side
surely realize that our team consists of the downtrodden,
comprised of mere grade school and junior high dropouts.
And yet, we have managed to remain undefeated
for six straight years.
ALL: Yes, yes. Right.
MALCOLM: Now, I raise this to point out that as long
as there is breath, there is hope.
ALL: Yes.
MALCOLM: Even for the most despised.
INMATE: Yes. Yeah, that's right.
MALCOLM: Deterrence from mandatory death,
when a White person murders a Black one,
has never been explored in this country.
INMATE: No.
MALCOLM: Race disparities in capital punishment are evident
for there have been several Black lives extinguished when
convicted of murdering White people.
ALL: Yes.
MALCOLM: So the assumption that an immoral system can then
lead the way in instituting justice is preposterous.
INMATE: Right.
MALCOLM: No, sir. No, sir. You out of your mind!
INMATE: Heck, no.
MALCOLM: Instituting a fair and just process would require
almost perfect detective forces,
incorruptible police, and judiciary,
juries unswayed by human emotion and prejudice.
And a stern, un-pardoning.
INMATE: Yeah.
MALCOLM: Policy regardless of race, influence,
or station in life.
INMATE: Yes, yes, yes.
MALCOLM: Now, should these impossible conditions be met,
they would result in such a large number of executions that
the defenders of the death penalty would stand aghast.
INMATE: Yes.
INMATE 2: Sure would.
MALCOLM: I imagine even our Princeton guests
would become pale from the experience.
(cheering and applause)
ALL: Malcolm! Malcolm!
Malcolm! Malcolm!
KING JR.: I remember being forced to ride the back of a
bus so a White passenger could sit.
Feeling the stares of contempt from men and women
who claimed to be Christians.
But there's no basis in the Constitution or in
the Bible for treating Negroes less human
than anyone else.
STUDENT: Laws that separate and divide us are
not only unjust,
they are immoral and change undoubtedly has to come.
The way I see it though,
the most important component we must all have is patience.
KING JR.: Patience?
Patience is something Negroes in this country do not have.
MALCOLM: Dear Holy Apostle,
it took you to teach me that I was in prison long before
the iron gates closed on my life.
When those gates finally open,
my freedom won't come because of my release.
It'll come because of the gift you've given to me.
MUHAMMAD: "A gift I will cherish with my life and
my devotion to you.
There will be no sacrifice too great for me to make
in your service.
Thank you for helping me find my purpose."
KING JR.: Dear Father,
as I considered the science behind the human race,
I began to see how our destructive nature causes us
to justify our impulses.
As I considered the flaws of history and how a man's
disposition can be devastating,
I began to see the deepest corners of fault
and error in our impulses.
KING SR.: "I came close to losing my faith more than once.
Doubting how God could allow so much pain,
destruction, and evil.
But as you've told me many times,
God tests before he rewards,
and faith is never a convenient thing.
So I go out to this world still uncertain and alone,
but willing to give my life for a cause greater than myself.
And like Abraham,
willing to make whatever sacrifice is required
in service to God.
Your son, ML."
(woman scatting)
♪ The beat is ready and I ride it ♪
♪ When I come around, they excited ♪
♪ They all want a key to the garden, ♪
♪ So I put it up and I light it, light it ♪
♪ Tell me how you like it ♪
♪ Get me on the wheel, I'ma drive it ♪
♪ But they wanna raise up the mileage ♪
♪ Well, I don't like to turn my back and so I work ♪
♪ And give back ♪
♪ Me I just try to dey my lane ♪
♪ I got the gang behind now ♪
♪ Listen when they call, they call my name ♪
♪ I found the voice within me ♪
♪ No man can curse what God has made ♪
♪ So I can beat your pain ♪
♪ When the dark is closing in, see they want to love me now ♪
♪ When they tried to take me down ♪
♪ We'll be flying off the ground ♪
REGINALD: As-Salaam-Alaikum.
MALCOLM: Wa-Alaikum-Salaam.
♪ This is the mind, this is the light ♪
♪ This is the time, this is the way ♪
♪ I see the dream coming before me ♪
♪ I've been the one, don't have to say it ♪
♪ This is the vibe, don't need to fake it ♪
♪ Seeing the world, living beyond it ♪
♪ This is the key, so I can save you ♪
♪ Well, I don't like to turn my back so I work and give back ♪
♪ Me I just try to dey my lane ♪
♪ Got the gang behind now ♪
♪ Listen when they call, they call my name ♪
♪ I found the voice within me ♪
♪ No man can curse what God has made ♪
♪ So let me beat your pain ♪
♪ When the dark is closing in, see they want to love you now ♪
♪ When they tried to take you down, ♪
♪ We'll be flying off the ground ♪
♪ When the world is going out when the earth is falling in ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪
♪ Their heat is getting cold, their eyes are slowly closing ♪
♪ Their chains they cannot hold me under the open sky ♪
♪ They're looking for a way, but I will keep you safe ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah, oh, yeah ♪
♪ Na, na, na. Na, na, na ♪
♪ Na, na, na ♪