On February 14, 1965, just one week before his assassination, Malcolm X’s home in Elmhurst, Queens was firebombed, with him and his family inside. At two in the morning, the strange sound of Molotov cocktail bottles had woken them up.
But the Shabazzes weren’t surprised.
With their four daughters in tow, they stumbled outside in their pajamas, watching their home go up in flames. Malcolm X and his family emerged from the attack unharmed – and X held a speaking arrangement the following evening in Detroit.
“It could have been done by any one of many,” Malcolm said. He had grown accustomed to the terror.
“I'm not surprised that it was done. It doesn't frighten me. It doesn't quiet me down in any way or shut me up.” In fact, the bombing took place the night before a hearing was supposed to take place to stop the Nation of Islam from evicting them!
Still, the bombing was never investigated or resolved. And Malcolm X was assassinated seven days later – at a time in his life where he was becoming an even bigger threat.
Malcolm X had recently shifted his focus to unifying Black people across the African diaspora. Unfortunately, his dreams were cut short. But despite the countless threats to his life, Malcolm X remained committed to Black liberation until his dying day.