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The Documentary: Malcolm in the Midlands

Malcolm in the Midlands 

11/12/2021 GMT

Malcolm in the Midlands

BBC World Service - The Documentary, Malcolm in the Midlands

Why did one of the world’s most prominent civil rights activists visit Britain in 1965?

In 1965, just days before his assassination, American civil rights activist Malcolm X visited the small English town of Smethwick. What led him there?

Just days before his assassination, Malcolm X was to be seen striding up a quiet residential street in the English town of Smethwick – followed by a small huddle of reporters. But what led one of the world’s most prominent civil rights activists to this small town in the Midlands? And what does this have to do with British politics of the mid-1960s, and the civil rights movement in America?

Kit de Waal explores these questions, with contributions from writer and professor of sociology Gary Younge, Peniel Joseph, founding director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy, Malcolm X biographer Tamara Payne, and United Nations youth observer Cynthia Yue.

Kit visits Marshall Street to trace the steps Malcolm X took, over 55 years ago, and speaks to local resident and playwright Paul Magson. So intrigued was Paul by this visit and the fact he had not heard of Malcolm’s visit before, he researched and wrote a play all about it.

With interview and news archive from the time, we’ll discover just how important these visits were to the community.

Image: Malcolm X in Smethwick (Credit: Bettmann via Getty Images)

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