Malcolm X Bobblehead

When Spike Lee released his 1992 film Malcolm X, the film was at once a mesmerizing portrait of a man’s rise to power and an unflinching history lesson. The movie’s impact has only deepened with time, both as a sober reminder of the past and an acerbic confirmation of the present. It’s a seething celluloid abstract, a portrait of truth within a nation intoxicated by falsehood.

X is a saga of identity, race and freedom, one that resonates to this day. In the wake of Lee’s groundbreaking epic, other movies and music have helped to reframe our understanding of this complex figure.

From the emergence of conscious hip-hop in the late eighties to the more recent surge of Black nationalism fueled by movies like The Birth of a Nation and BlacKkKlansman, Malcolm’s relevance is undeniable.

While it is true that many people have attempted to discredit his ideas and actions, few can deny the fact that Malcolm was a political maven with an unmatched ability to articulate them. His tireless work ethic and his refusal to back down in the face of adversity made him a force to be reckoned with.

In the years before his assassination, Malcolm X was a popular speaker, launching a Nation of Islam newspaper and giving speeches at dozens of universities around the country. He was also an advocate for civil rights, debating mainstream leaders and meeting with heads of state. Despite his many accomplishments, the FBI continued to be suspicious of him. The bureau suspected he violated the little-known Logan Act, which prohibits citizens from engaging in “unauthorized negotiation” with foreign governments.

Upon returning from prison, Malcolm dropped his last name and adopted the moniker X. He began traveling extensively, seeking out new converts and establishing Nation of Islam mosques in Boston and Philadelphia. He also spent a decade as head of the Harlem mosque, frequently writing and speaking about the issues he cared most about.

As he traveled, Malcolm met with black and white people alike, attempting to bridge the gap that had existed between his own people and those of other races. In this way, he was able to gain an insight into the commonality of mankind’s needs and desires.

Hunter has seen his fair share of bobbleheads, from the thousands of fans who lined up for hours at the Metrodome in Minneapolis to get a Harmon Killebrew doll, to the adults who haggled with stadium ticket-takers over the age-old 18-and-over stipulation to score a Jason Pettitte or Jim Thome Bobblehead doll. But, in his opinion, this is the best one yet. Hunter says it is the perfect homage to a beloved figure who changed the world.