Malcolm X and the Architecture of Public Perception

The Lens of Power: Malcolm X and the Architecture of Public Perception

​In an era of relentless information flow, the warnings of Malcolm X remain more relevant than ever. His famous observation “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing”, was not merely a critique of 1960s journalism. It was a masterclass in understanding how media can be weaponized to maintain the status quo.

​The Art of Narrative Redirection

​Malcolm X recognized that the media doesn’t always tell you what to think, but it frequently tells you what to think about. By focusing on the reactions of the oppressed rather than the actions of the oppressor, headlines can successfully flip the script of a conflict. When a community reacts to systemic injustice, the cameras often capture the “chaos” of the protest while ignoring the decades of quiet violence, poverty, redlining, and inequality that led to the moment.

​This redirection serves a specific purpose: it alienates the general public from the struggle for justice. When the victim is painted as the “aggressor,” public sympathy shifts away from the cause and toward the institutions enforcing the status quo.

​Awareness as a Tool of Resistance

​For Malcolm X, the antidote to this manipulation was critical consciousness. He urged his followers to be more than passive consumers of news. He believed that true freedom began with the ability to decode the “why” behind a story. To engage in this type of resistance, one must ask:

• ​Whose voice is missing? Who is the “unnamed source” or the person never interviewed?

• ​What is the “root” vs. the “fruit”? Is the story focused on a single event (the fruit) or the systemic conditions that grew it (the root)?

• ​Who benefits? Does the narrative protect powerful interests or advocate for human dignity?

​Why the “Mirror” Still Matters

​Today, the “newspapers” Malcolm mentioned have evolved into social media feeds and 24hour news cycles. The speed of information has increased, but the tactics of framing remain the same. We are often pushed to choose sides in a story before we even understand the context.

​Malcolm X’s legacy teaches us that unity must be rooted in truth, not just shared emotion. By refusing to let external narratives dictate our empathy, we reclaim our power. History isn’t just a record of what happened; it is a guide on how to navigate the present without being led astray by the very systems we seek to change.