Shabazz, Dr. Betty

Dr. Betty Shabazz was pivotal in preserving Malcolm X’s legacy and advancing his vision of Black liberation, human rights, and social justice. She understood the power of Malcolm X’s vision and worked tirelessly as a historian, scholar, and activist to revive his legacy and contribute to his “second coming.” Dr. Shabazz reframed him from a “radical troublemaker” to a visionary figure for Black liberation while balancing her roles as a mother, community leader, activist, publicist, and scholar. After Malcolm X’s assassination, Dr. Shabazz raised six young daughters, completed her PhD, and started her career as an educator at the Medgar Evers Community College in Brooklyn, New York. Along the way, she counseled countless young students, supported single mothers in continuing their education, and developed a legacy as a professor, community organizer, and global leader. Moreover, she utilized her educational credentials and institutional affiliation to convey her expertise on Malcolm X, establishing his role as a renowned global leader for social justice. In the 21st century, Malcolm X is read, watched, discussed, and admired for his revolutionary and humanist ideals and is remembered among South Africans and the Black Lives Matter movement. With Dr. Shabazz as a protagonist leading the story, her narrative explores, expands, and recognizes her mission to preserve Malcolm X’s legacy so that it can be heard and celebrated. By recognizing her contributions, she is on par with traditional historians and writers like Alex Haley. Just as one can acknowledge the importance of conventional historians like Haley in documenting Malcolm X’s autobiography, we should also recognize her expertise as a scholar in emphasizing her husband’s contributions to ensure his message is heard, understood, and respected.