What did the death of Malcolm X mean to the civil rights movement?

The death of Malcolm X meant the civil rights movement lost its foremost public spokesperson for the idea of dignity for all people. As Peniel Joseph explains, Malcolm X occupied a unique position as a revolutionary leader who articulated and championed the fundamental human dignity of Black Americans and other marginalized communities. While Martin Luther King Jr. is often remembered as the primary civil rights icon, Malcolm X provided a different but equally important voice advocating for recognition of humanity and rights. His assassination removed a powerful advocate who could connect local struggles to global anti-colonial movements, leaving a significant void in leadership that emphasized dignity as the foundation for true equality and justice.