Malcolm X believed that reclaiming language and redefining terms was crucial for Black empowerment and self-determination. The famous scene from the 1992 film Malcolm X, where he teaches a student the roots of the word “negro,” Crhighlights his view that language shapes perceptions and perpetuates oppression when rooted in racist ideology.

Malcolm X believed in reclaiming language and redefining terms to empower marginalized communities and challenge oppressive narratives. This aligns with Krip-Hop Nation and disability rights movement’s efforts to reclaim terminology like “disabled,” “crip,” with Krip-Hop Nation with Krip and Afro-Krip etc. and imbue them with positive meaning rooted in disability pride and culture and Black disability experience.

The Black disability community must continue Malcolm X’s teaching and krip to fit the Black disabled experience of today!

In essence, Malcolm X saw discriminatory language as a manifestation of the broader prejudice ingrained in American society. He advocated rejecting derogatory terms, reclaiming positive linguistic identity, and exposing the racist underpinnings of language used to subjugate Black people and justify discriminatory policies and practices.

Checkout my series parts 1-4 on the relationship of Malcolm X and disability on YouTube.

Part One: Malcolm X & His Relationship To Disability (Why is it hushed?)

Part Two: Malcolm X & Disability (Happy Birthday May 19th/24)

Part Three: Malcolm X & Disability (His Mother and Her freedom)

Part Four: Malcolm X & Disability (Malcolm X Reclaiming Language Link To Disability)