Which influential leader is associated with the phrase "By any means necessary"?

• A. Martin Luther King Jr.
• B. Malcolm X
• C. Frederick Douglass
• D. W.E.B. Du Bois

Answer: (B)

The phrase "By any means necessary" is most closely associated with Malcolm X, who was a prominent figure in the civil rights movement and a vocal advocate for Black empowerment. This phrase encapsulates Malcolm X's philosophy that the struggle for civil rights and justice could require a range of actions, including self-defense and more radical approaches, when peaceful means were insufficient.

Malcolm X’s advocacy was rooted in his experiences with systemic racism and oppression, leading him to support a more militant stance during the civil rights era. He believed in the necessity of taking whatever actions were needed to secure freedom and equality for African Americans, reflecting a sense of urgency and the complexity of the social justice movement. This contrasts with other leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., who typically emphasized nonviolent protest, highlighting the different strategies within the movement for civil rights.