Malcolm X: The history behind his iconic 1964 window photograph

In 1964, photographer Don Hogan Charles captured a historic image of civil rights leader Malcolm X standing behind a curtained window in his Queens, New York, home, holding a rifle. The photograph, taken for Ebony magazine, depicts Malcolm X with a serious and alert expression, appearing to watch for potential danger.

The image reflects a volatile period in Malcolm X's life. Following his public break with the Nation of Islam and its leader, Elijah Muhammad, he faced significant hostility and death threats. This transition marked a shift in his political and religious views as he embraced Sunni Islam and moved toward a more international approach to Black liberation. During this time, he established Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).