Malcolm X

About Malcolm X

Malcolm X (born 1925, died 1965) was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement, evolving from a prominent Black Nationalist voice to an international human rights advocate. His powerful oratory and uncompromising critique of racial inequality—particularly during his time as a spokesperson for the Nation of Islam—cemented his status as a deeply influential figure, warranting his HPI Rank of #302 among global historical giants. His advocacy laid critical groundwork for later movements focused on Black liberation and self-determination.

The modern internet's focus, however, suggests a relative decline in direct engagement. With 3.2 million annualized Wikipedia views in 2025, Malcolm X receives about 7x the attention one might expect based solely on his high historical importance score. This places him in a category of "overattention" relative to figures like Carl Linnaeus (#104 importance, only 692K views). Interestingly, while his long-term importance remains high, his recent digital momentum shows a significant $-27\%$ drop between Q1 and Q3 of 2025, indicating a recent dip in online search interest despite his enduring legacy.