A recently unearthed pardon file for civil rights leader Malcolm X could pave the way for a posthumous pardon, as it reveals insights into his early life and activism during a critical period.
The file, discovered during routine renovations of a state government building, sheds light on Malcolm X’s transformation while incarcerated, where he converted to Islam and began advocating for racial justice.
Terrence Kennedy, a member of the Governor’s Council who was part of the team that found the documents, emphasized the significance of this discovery, stating it offers a chance for the state to acknowledge a historical wrong.
Kennedy suggested that Governor Maura Healey’s office should consider granting the pardon request for Malcolm X, arguing that the sentencing he received was excessively harsh and likely influenced by racial prejudice.
“It was excessive, and I can’t believe that race wasn’t a factor,” Kennedy remarked to the Globe, though Healey’s office has yet to comment on the matter.
Family members of Malcolm X, who currently reside in Roxbury, expressed that the discovery of these documents provides an opportunity for education about systemic issues in the criminal justice system.
Malcolm X’s grandnephew, Arjun Collins, stated that while the punishment he received was undeniably severe, a posthumous pardon could feel like an empty gesture unless it is coupled with broader actions addressing mass incarceration and racial disparities.
“Too little, too late,” Collins expressed, emphasizing the importance of using this moment to reflect on the ongoing challenges faced by Black individuals within the justice system.
He insisted that meaningful change requires action, saying, “In the end, words don’t mean anything. Only action means something.”
The pardon request, submitted on December 4, 1950, includes biographical details written by Malcolm X himself, indicating he identified as Malcolm X. Little and recorded his date of birth as May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska.
The file contains reports detailing his personal and criminal history, initiated during his teenage years after he moved to Roxbury to live with his half-sister, Ella Collins, in 1940.
Initially taking up various odd jobs, including busboy and shoe shiner, Malcolm X later became involved in drugs and gambling, leading to more serious criminal activities.
By 1945, Malcolm X began burglarizing homes, moving beyond his earlier petty crimes.
Documents from the pardon file describe how he, alongside two other men and three women, would drive around looking for suitable houses to break into, stealing furnishings, jewelry, and clothing from homes in several Massachusetts towns.
He was arrested in January 1946 after admitting to the break-ins, leading to multiple arraignments in Quincy District Court.
Ultimately, he received a harsh sentence of eight to ten years in prison, though he appealed various aspects of the sentencing, which were denied.
On his pardon application, Malcolm X offered little in defense, referring to his half-sister as a potential character witness. Another paper mentioned a political science professor in Texas, but its relevance remains unclear.
The pardon board’s report noted that while he would be eligible for parole by June 1951, his sentence could extend until February 1956. Ultimately, the board recommended that the governor deny his pardon request, noting the lack of extenuating circumstances.
Though the file lacks documentation of the governor’s final decision, it is evident that Malcolm X was not pardoned, as he was paroled in August 1952.
Following his release, Malcolm X emerged as a prominent figure within the civil rights movement, significantly influencing the discourse around social justice and racial equality.
He played a key role in establishing the Nation of Islam’s No. 11 Mosque in Roxbury and garnered attention for his assertive stance on civil rights, often contrasting with the more passive approach advocated by contemporaries like the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
Tragically, his life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1965 at the age of 39. Although three men connected to the Nation of Islam were charged and convicted for his murder, recent motions have vacated the convictions of two of those men.
Decades after his death, Malcolm X’s legacy continues to resonate, particularly in Roxbury, where a street and a park are named in his honor. Efforts are underway to restore the house where he lived with his sister, intended to serve as a landmark of his life.
Rodnell Collins, Malcolm X’s nephew, remarked on the potential implications of the documents being recognized, indicating that the actions signify a willingness to learn from the past and strive for improvement.
“This is what my family and uncle were about,” said Collins as he worked on the house. “Teaching and learning.”
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