Malcolm X inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Malcolm X on Wednesday became the first Black man and the first Muslim to be inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
He joins a prestigious group as the 27th member of the hall of fame and is the first addition in five years.
“We have a big responsibility with this news, with this moment in history,” said JoAnna LeFlore-Ejike, president of the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. “Because it’s a tool that we can use now to teach the next generation how to transform their lives like Malcolm X did.
Malcolm X, a north Omaha native, is one of the most famous and influential social activists in history.
He was a controversial figure but played a pivotal role in the civil rights movement and helped change the structure of American society.
The Capitol rotunda was packed wall-to-wall on Wednesday with people gathering to witness the historic moment.
A bust of Malcolm X was unveiled. It was sculpted by Nathan Murray, a Lincoln artist.
Gov. Jim Pillen was there and declared May 22nd to be Malcolm X Day in Nebraska.
Former State Sen. Ernie Chambers, the longest-serving state senator in state history, said the day was a long time coming.
“I never thought I would live long enough to see a white, conservative, Republican governor in a white, ultra-conservative state like Nebraska participate in the induction of Malcolm X into the Nebraska Hall of Fame,” Chambers said.
