Scope and arrangement
The Malcolm X audio and moving image collection consists of thirty-four audio recordings and twenty-one films, created from circa the 1950s to 1983 and arranged chronologically in their respective series. One film is unavailable pending conservation and is not described here. When possible, dates for originally undated collection material have been determined based on historical newspapers.
Each film's content note indicates its audio ("no audio" for those without sound) and color values ("color" or "black and white"). Open-reels and cassette tapes comprise the original audio formats. Many of these items contain two or more parts, one for each side of the reel or cassette. Unless otherwise indicated, all items are audio recordings. Square brackets in item's content notes indicate unclear names or spellings.
The Malcolm X audio and moving image collection is arranged in four series:
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Seventeen audio recordings and twelve films of public addresses and media appearances featuring Malcolm X. These items reflect Malcolm X's presence in Harlem, as well as his travels across the US and around the world. The series also includes appearances by James Farmer and other members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), Fannie Lou Hamer, and Elijah Muhammad.
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Thirteen audio recordings and three films of public addresses and media appearances by those who knew or were otherwise associated with Malcolm X, including George Breitman, editor of Malcolm X Speaks; The New York Times reporter M.S. (Meyer "Mike" Srednick) Handler, whose personal relationship with the leader led to his writing the introduction to The Autobiography of Malcolm X; and Malcolm X's widow Betty Shabazz. Several of the items in this series took place at Militant Labor Forum events in Detroit, New York City, and Philadelphia.
While the series includes productions that feature recordings of Malcolm X, such as George Breitman's audio commentary on Malcolm X's speeches, and the 1969 episode of Like It Is that commemorated his death, all of these items were created after his death.
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Two audio recordings of private conversations that do not include Malcolm X.The people on these recordings are not formally identified.
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Five films and two audio recordings that were created and published without the involvement of Malcolm X. The films consist of educational productions on Black history released by The New York Times and Arno Press, as well as one home edition of a comedy film. The audio recordings are in Arabic and English, both likely related to Islam.