Congratulations to Abdirahman Abanoor on winning the Malcolm X Youth Essay Contest. He is a senior at Holland Tech, located in Dorchester, MA, and a rising freshman at Northeastern University in Boston.
Abdirahman Abanoor, center, Malcolm X Youth Essay Contest winner, stands with the organizing team of the 2025 Malcolm X Read-a-thon. From left: Rosalyn Delores Elder, Mark Schafer, Talia A. Whyte, Parmie Polk, Carolyn Ingles and Dosha Ellis Beard.
We still need him: Malcolm X’s relevance in today’s world
By Abdirahman Abanoor
Malcolm X’s impact on my identity is ongoing. His actions and words shaped my faith. He influenced my concept of justice, since I am a Black Muslim student in a Boston high school. Though Malcolm X existed in another era, he fought racism, Islamophobia and inequality. Those problems remain pertinent plus affect me. After I read Malcolm X’s autobiography, I understood better how someone transforms yet holds faith despite frequent trials.
Malcolm X’s story taught me about self-respect, pride in my Black identity and a strong devotion to my faith. As a child I often faced pressure to fit in, so I needed to stay silent or conceal parts of myself. But Malcolm X transformed his suffering into power — he embraced every element of his identity, like his race and religion. Because I understand my voice matters, his courage supplies me with confidence. Even when I am the sole Black or Muslim student in hallways, I go forward.
Racism remains a problem in our communities. We fight concerns such as unfair housing
practices, schools without sufficient resources, and violent acts by police. Malcolm didn’t speak only of the past when he said freedom is crucial for peace, because his statement applies now. Through his words, people remember that silence and incomplete solutions to injustice are not enough. In fact, we require voices like Malcolm’s and the voices of people today — those who are sincere and brave.
Malcolm X prompts me to defend others. I remember his impact as I address minor offenses in class and help in cultural events. I aim to ease the path for future individuals since I believe education unlocks possibilities. But the labor remains unfinished within Boston, across the country, and around the world.
“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything,” Malcolm X famously stated. My heart is filled with that quote. Malcolm X’s voice remains strong and clear in today’s world of confusion, hate and distraction. He pushes us to grow, to learn, to speak up, and above all, to stand.
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