Original subtitles

MALCOLM X: Previously on Genius.

-(pounding gavel) -MALCOLM: They took our home away.

They took away my mother.

MUHAMMAD: I look forward to your future,

and the great things you will do growing the Nation.

MALCOLM X: I was just named minister of

Temple No. 7 in Harlem.

KING JR.: All I'll ever be is Daddy King's son.

I wanna be more than that.

We will demand change no matter what we face.

We have God on our side.

I got offered a head pastor position in Montgomery.

If things aren't right for Negroes in the South,

they aren't gonna be right anywhere in this country.

♪ It's a bird ♪

♪ It's a plane ♪

-♪ Up in the sky ♪ -♪ Hmm, sound like some superhero ♪

♪ Hmm, some Black superhero ♪

♪ Up in the sky ♪

♪ Hmm, yeah ♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Every block, every hood ♪

♪ Every city, every ghetto ♪

♪ Up in the sky ♪

♪ Need a Black superhero ♪

♪ Every block, every hood ♪

♪ Every city, every ghetto ♪

♪ Up in the sky ♪

♪ Need a Black superhero ♪

♪ It's gonna take one of us to save us ♪

♪ It's gonna take love and a lot of trust ♪

♪ We just took it, have faith and know that ♪

♪ Long as you got mine, I got your back, I know ♪

♪ It's gonna take one of us to save us ♪

♪ It's gonna take love and a lot of trust ♪

♪ We just took it, have faith and know that ♪

♪ Long as you got mine, ♪

♪ I got your back, I know ♪

♪ Every block, every hood ♪

♪ Every city, every ghetto ♪

♪ Need a Black superhero ♪♪

KING JR.: Peek-a-boo.

♪ A blossom fell ♪♪

KING JR.: Peek-a-boo.

CORETTA: "Not only is this boycott a

vessel of change for the Negro,

it's a prevailing ship of righteousness towards

a better tomorrow."

KING JR.: Pretty good, right?

CORETTA: Vessel and ship are the same thing.

KING JR.: Hmm?

(laughter)

See, I'm trying to get her to laugh all night,

but I got nothing.

CORETTA: 'Cause you don't have the magic touch.

KING JR.: Oh, yeah?

CORETTA: Does he?

No, no, no. He doesn't have it now.

Yeah?

Hmm.

KING JR.: You're showing off now.

CORETTA: Yes. Yeah.

(phone ringing)

KING JR.: Just let it. Just let it rang.

They'll hang up.

(phone ringing)

Hello?

CALLER (over phone): Nigger preacher,

I will kill you, your wife, and your child.

(receiver slams)

(phone ringing)

(knocking)

KING JR.: Yes?

ABERNATHY: Martin, it's me, Ralph.

How are Coretta and the baby?

KING JR.: They're fine.

ABERNATHY: And you?

♪ ♪

KING JR.: This isn't a mistake, is it?

ABERNATHY: Protecting your family is never a mistake.

♪ Even in the darkest nights ♪

♪ I'm gonna find my way ♪

♪ Said, I'm gonna find my way ♪♪

(speaking foreign language)

SISTER GRACE: Sister Betty,

the Honorable Elijah Muhammad has provided an answer to the

central question amongst us all.

Who is the Original Man?

BETTY: The Original Man is the Asiatic Black Man,

the maker, the owner,

the cream of the planet Earth, God of the Universe.

The light of the sun.

In fact, the Black Man existed before the sun.

Therefore, he is the maker and owner of the sun.

SISTER GRACE: Yet you are a woman.

How do you respond?

BETTY: When we say man, we mean woman,

because we can't say man without woman.

Woman is the origin that man evolved.

As we are taught,

we are all intertwined in the light of Allah.

MALCOLM X: The most disrespected person in America

is the Black woman.

MEMBER: Yeah.

MALCOLM X: The most unprotected person in America

is the Black woman.

The most neglected person in America is the Black woman.

The honorable Elijah Muhammed teaches us to

respect, and protect our women.

And the only time we get real violent...

MEMBER: Uh-hmm.

MALCOLM X: Is when someone tries to harm our women.

I know you know.

We will kill you for our woman.

Now, I'm speaking plainly now.

We will kill you for our woman!

And we believe that if the White man will do whatever is

necessary to see that his woman gets respect and protection,

then you and I will never be recognized as men until we

stand up like men and pay the same penalty on the man

who puts his filthy hands out,

in the direction of our women.

And it all starts here.

With our women of the Nation and the power instilled in each

and every one of you,

I promise, we promise,

to honor your commitment with the strength that you deserve.

(cheering and applause)

MEMBER: That's right!

MALCOLM X: I appreciate you being here.

SISTER GRACE: When are you gonna talk to him?

BETTY: Why do you always have to focus on the wrong things?

SISTER GRACE: I swear, Betty, you could be an ice cube as cold you are.

Loosen up.

BETTY: Grace, you are a heathen.

I'm perfectly happy focusing on completing my nursing studies.

I'll leave the husband hunting to you.

SISTER GRACE: Oh, stop it.

Powerful words, Minister.

I guess at this point we should expect nothing less.

MALCOLM X: Thank you for your kind words, Sister Grace.

Your compliments never fall on deaf ears.

A pleasure to see you.

But I'm curious, what did you think?

SISTER GRACE: I'm sorry.

I didn't make a proper introduction.

This is Sister Betty X.

She's one of our new members of the Temple.

MALCOLM X: Oh, I know.

I make it a point to clock each person who comes

through our doors.

Sister Betty, Praise to Allah for your choice to

join the Nation.

It's a pleasure to finally meet you.

BETTY X: Hmm, finally?

I didn't realize I was being watched.

MALCOLM X: Well, you have attended my last five speeches.

It'd be nearly impossible for you not to stand out.

Considering...

BETTY X: Um, I thought your speech was moving.

MALCOLM X: Hmm.

BETTY X: We need more men like you in our communities.

But it would've been nice to have more people

hear your words.

MALCOLM X: Yeah.

Well, we're working on that night and day.

Harlem is a tough cookie to crack.

But, um, any advice you can give?

I'd be all ears.

BETTY X: If I have any, I'll be sure to let you know.

MALCOLM X: Yeah, I'd like that.

CLYDE X: Excuse me, Minister, Sisters, car is ready.

MALCOLM X: Of course.

Have Brother Hinton come with us.

All right, Sister Betty.

Um, I look forward to seeing you soon.

Okay.

SISTER GRACE: Girl, he's been watching you.

(Betty X laughs)

ROBINSON: Chief Sellers, what are your thoughts on the boycott?

ABERNATHY (as Sellers): Well, thank you, ma'am.

Most Nigras wanna ride but are intimidated by the

goon squads under the command of the Negro elites.

KING JR.: Hmm.

ROBINSON: Oh, Dr. King, as MIA President.

KING JR.: Uh-hmm.

ROBINSON: Are you at all concerned by these comments?

KING JR.: Oh, concerned, no.

I am impressed we could be both goons and elite in

the same breath, however.

NIXON: I just talked to my contact at the paper.

KING JR.: Oh.

NIXON: That son of a bitch Mayor is banning

all the Black-owned taxis from giving low-fare rides

-to the boycotters. -ROBINSON: What?

KING JR.: Well, without taxis,

we have nearly 40,000 Negro bus riders

without transportation.

NIXON: We also ain't gonna have a boycott no more neither.

ABERNATHY: Because of the press coverage we've been getting,

we've outdone expectations for fundraising.

With the money, we could buy a fleet of 20 station wagons

to help the boycott.

KING JR.: We do that and we run the risk of being sued

for setting up an illegal transit system.

ROBINSON: And what's next?

They'll arrest us all for not getting on the buses?

NIXON: You joke, but you all need to start wrapping your

minds around the fact that the Montgomery city government will

use any means at its disposal,

including legal action against us,

to stop this boycott.

KING JR.: There is another way.

We organize a carpool similar to the one the reverend I spoke

to down in Baton Rouge did.

Car owners volunteer their cars,

drivers volunteer to drive.

No money exchanges hands directly.

But passengers can donate to the MIA, and in turn,

the MIA could subsidize the costs of the carpool.

ROBINSON: That sounds great.

ABERNATHY: You're onto something now. KING JR.: Yeah.

NIXON: Martin, don't forget,

we have negotiations in a few days with the Mayor.

This community is desperate for results.

KING JR.: And we intend to come through.

NIXON: Well, good.

But just know we not in need of a hero here.

All we need to do is to stand behind our demands.

Nothing more, Martin.

You cannot blow this.

THURMOND: So I tell him, there are two kinds of stupid

in this world, and son, you're both of 'em.

You made it.

Senator, you are in for a real treat.

Wendall here is the best barber in all of DC.

SPARKMAN: Well, I'm not looking for a haircut.

THURMOND: Let me guess, when you're on the Hill,

you go to that shop in the basement.

Old fella named Calhoun runs it.

Man's in his 70s and has the shakes.

I wouldn't trust him to cut a fart.

Whenever I'm feeling homesick,

I stop in for a little bull session and a cut

from Wendall here.

Even if it's packed, he always finds a seat for me.

I wanted to talk about this nasty boycott

business in Montgomery.

SPARKMAN: This seems hardly the appropriate place

for that conversation, Senator Thurmond.

THURMOND: You are the senator from Alabama,

so it feels mighty appropriate to me.

And with it being an election year,

I'm sure the voters in your state would agree.

Now, seems somebody ought to muzzle that uppity

boycott spokesman, Reverend Martin Luther King.

SPARKMAN: Folks up north growing more sympathetic

to their cause.

Now removing him could mean more support for them.

THURMOND: There's another way to stop their momentum.

You distract them.

There's nothing those people hate more than a racist.

So why not give them one to focus on?

I have friends on the Citizens Council.

I'd be happy to reach out.

I've taken the initiative of drafting the manifesto.

I want to proclaim our right to use any and all means of

resistance against further federal infringement of our

right to keep the South free, separate and White.

I'm calling for the signature of every Southern Democrat and

I'd like yours to be the very first.

SPARKMAN: There's some pretty strong language in here.

You'll be seen as some crazy White supremacist.

THURMOND: I am not a White supremacist.

I'm a civil rights activist.

Let's start distributing it today.

The sooner we get this out there,

the better it'll be for all of us.

Even Wendall here will be better off.

Ain't that right?

WENDALL: Yes sir.

MALCOLM X: All grace to Allah.

MEMBER: Thank you.

MALCOLM X: It's Brother Hinton, right?

JOHNSON: Yes sir.

MALCOLM X: How old are you?

JOHNSON: 17.

MALCOLM X: How long were you inside?

Listen, for months after I was released,

I had the hardest time sleeping.

I bought new mattresses, new covers,

even got one of those fancy feather pillows.

Nothing worked.

I guess one night it was real hot.

I'm talking devil in your bedroom.

Hot.

So I decided to leave all the windows open.

Man, it was loud.

The thing is I slept like a baby that night.

I'd grown used to the noise in prison and life on

the outside was too quiet.

There was no noise to drown out your thoughts,

which aren't always good.

JOHNSON: Still have those thoughts?

MALCOLM X: No.

I've also slid with my windows open ever since.

Never be ashamed of your prison past.

That's what brought you to Allah just like me.

CLYDE X: Hinton, why don't you head on inside

and start bringing in the kitchen supplies?

Brother Minister, I hear everyone in Chicago has been

very impressed with the work you've done so far

here in Harlem.

But there is one thing.

MALCOLM X: What is it?

CLYDE X: As minister, not only do you have

a responsibility to grow the temple,

but you also have a duty to represent it as well.

Being an unwed man gives off the wrong impression.

You understand what I'm saying?

KING JR.: Jo Ann, I don't recognize him.

ROBINSON: Doubt you would without the white hood.

That's Luther Ingalls, head of the local

White Citizens' Council.

KING JR.: We were under the impression that today's meeting

was between the MIA and the city commissioners only.

I'd be remiss if I didn't officially I'd object to the

White Citizens' Council's

invitation to these negotiations.

INGALLS: We are merely concerned interest group

the same as the MIA.

KING JR.: Let me be clear.

There are no comparisons between us and you.

INGALLS: You all have a definitive point of view,

so do we.

KING JR.: But your point of view is backed by

hate and violence.

GAYLE: But it was you, Mr. King that arrived here

already had inflicted damage on us with your boycott...

KING JR.: And what do you call the demeaning and vile

treatment of Negro women like

Rosa Parks, Claudette Colvin,

Susie McDonald, Aurelia Browder, Mary Louise Smith,

and so many others on your city buses...

Business as usual?

GAYLE: We call it enforcing the law.

KING JR.: Then the laws are just as backwards as

the men enforcing them.

SELLERS: Seems the only business going on here is you

looking to make a name for yourself so you can go out and

peacock for the cameras.

GAYLE: Does he really speak for all of you?

ABERNATHY: Mr. Mayor, Dr. King speaks for me,

the MIA and every single Negro boycotting

those empty buses outside.

GAYLE: Uh-hmm.

That may be, but we will not be bullied.

These negotiations are over.

NIXON: What in the hell was that?

You just made any chance of them giving us what

we want impossible.

ABERNATHY: Watch it E.D. Martin only did what he

thought was right.

NIXON: Exactly what he thought was right.

I knew your inexperience was going to be a problem.

I can't believe it.

The goal here was to end the boycott,

not change the world.

JUANITA: You know what?

-Stop being stressed out. -ABERNATHY: Can we help you?

RUSTIN: Yes. Coffee, please.

Two sugars with just a tickle of lemon.

My drive from New York was quite long.

KING JR.: I'm sorry. Who are you?

RUSTIN: Bayard Rustin.

CORETTA: It's a pleasure to meet you.

My name is Coretta King and this is...

RUSTIN: Dr. Martin Luther King,

I'm aware, pleased to make your acquaintances

and you must be Reverend Abernathy.

That would make you...

JUANITA: Juanita Abernathy.

What is it that brings you to our humble city?

CORETTA: Mr. Rustin is a brilliant organizer, pacifist,

and well-regarded leader in non-violence.

RUSTIN: I was also raised Quaker, sang the blues with

Leadbelly and on occasion happened known

to be quite the raconteur.

CORETTA: You may not know this,

but I met you a long time ago when I was

at school at Antioch,

you gave a speech entitled,

"How to Conquer Jim Crow."

You said, "That if we desire a society where

men are brothers,

then we must act towards one another with brotherhood."

RUSTIN: I am both flattered and impressed.

You remembered that though not surprised from what I have

briefly gathered about your background Mrs. King,

it is clear that you are much more than what you appear.

Something I know very well.

There are very interested parties all across this country

that are rooting for your victory here in Montgomery.

KING JR.: Interested in what way?

RUSTIN: The victory that you are attempting to secure

has the potential to alter the course of civil rights

in this country.

You do see that, don't you?

KING JR.: What we see is a opportunity to bring equality

into Montgomery and desegregate the buses.

RUSTIN: Oh, Dr. King.

You and this boycott have to potential to do so,

so much more than that.

So long as you all don't mess it up.

CORETTA: Mr. Rustin, would you join us for dinner tonight?

Tell us what you think.

RUSTIN: I'd be delighted.

I was driving through the countryside of Virginia,

hot as hell.

Excuse my language. And I thought to myself,

if Gandhi can defeat an entire empire without

raising a weapon,

we can end Jim Crow the same way.

When people fully commit to the non-violent movement,

it is truly unstoppable.

KING JR.: I fear at the longer the boycott lasts,

the weaker we get.

RUSTIN: That's where you're wrong, brother.

Every day someone walks to work,

every time someone chooses not to get on a bus,

you grow stronger.

That's your victory.

CORETTA: Martin stuck on three simple demand,

but you think he'd ask for the moon on a platter.

RUSTIN: If it were easy, everyone would do it.

You're starting a revolution, a Black revolution.

It'll take time.

KING JR.: And what if time isn't on our side?

Those that oppose what we are doing will take arms

against us if we do not consider the same.

RUSTIN: Don't.

Non-violence isn't a strategy.

It's a way of life,

one that must be practiced and not just preached.

How can a leader ask others to use it but not practice it

in his own home?

That person would be a hypocrite if you asked me.

But if applied in all aspects,

non-violence has the power to influence not only the

oppressed but also the oppressor.

He can't beat you if he can't hurt you.

People have been walking since the dawn of time.

What are a few more weeks?

Question is...

Do you have what it takes to stick it out...

Change the course of history?

KING JR.: And I believe that we can.

RUSTIN: Not we. You.

The people of this city will follow if you show them the way.

But you can't be afraid to do it.

Even if it means leading them past the point of what

they think is possible.

KING JR.: I'm many things, Mr. Rustin.

But afraid is not one of them.

RUSTIN: Good.

Because I wouldn't be here if I thought you were.

Show them that non-violence is the way.

(exterior traffic sounds)

MALCOLM X: Well, well, if it isn't you again.

Why do I get the feeling you're following me, Sister Betty.

BETTY X: You'd be so lucky, minister.

If I'm not mistaken,

this trip was designated for everyone at our temple,

including me and my fellow sisters.

MALCOLM X: It's true.

But your fellow sisters are over there and yet

you over here near me.

BETTY X: I simply wanted to see that

and you just so happened to be here.

You remember the hope and pride that Africans had after

the revolution in Ghana?

I think Africans everywhere believe that

that torch of freedom would light the way

in their own countries.

Wonder if Black folks here realize how heroic

Kwame Nkrumah was in the struggle for freedom?

MALCOLM X: Well you know,

he once said that I'm not African because

I was born in Africa, but because...

BETTY X: Africa was born in me.

MALCOLM X: Where are you from, Sister Betty?

BETTY X: Detroit. MALCOLM X: Really?

That's not what I heard.

If I'm correct, you're from the South.

Tuskegee, right?

BETTY X: So not only am I being watched,

but I'm also being investigated.

What's going on here, minister?

MALCOLM X: I'm just curious about you, that's all.

Don't hold it against me for being interested.

My mother is from Grenada.

She once hid Marcus Garvey from the FBI when he was

on the run from this country's persecution.

She was also the only female writer in his correspondence,

the Negro World.

BETTY X: She sounds like an extraordinary woman.

She must be very proud of you.

MALCOLM X: Um, so what keeps you busy?

BETTY X: Montefiore Hospital.

I love to help people, make my hands useful.

I guess, I got it from my mother.

At some point, at least.

MALCOLM X: Once we leave here,

I'd like to share with you my vision

and my plans for the nation.

BETTY X: I would like that.

If it's all right,

I'd like to share with you my ideas about a

free health clinic.

CLYDE X: Minister, we have a problem.

The police assaulted Brother Hinton.

He's in bad shape.

MALCOLM X: I'm sorry. I have to go.

CLYDE X: We have to consult with

Honorable Elijah Muhammad first.

MALCOLM X: We have no time.

Every minute we wait he can be bleeding to death.

If it was you, I wouldn't wait a second.

Are you coming on not?

MEMBER: No! Look at all of you!

This isn't justice!

CITIZEN: What you all gonna do, huh?

(overlapping shouting)

MAGNUM: Look buddy,

you can act like everyone and wait until he is processed,

which at the earliest will be in the morning.

But I need you to clear out now.

MALCOLM X: We're not leaving until we see him.

ARM: We?

♪ ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Oh, ho ♪

♪ Oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Days are getting shorter ♪

♪ Can't seem to buy my time ♪♪

MALCOLM X: My strength unto you, Brother Hinton.

JOHNSON: An ambulance, please.

MALCOLM X: Get him ambulance now.

♪ People just fade way ♪

♪ When you came along my days got longer ♪♪

MALCOLM X: Now!

♪ You made me feel so much younger and time ♪♪

CLYDE X: The doctor says he stable,

but it'll be touch and go for the next few days.

If you would've got to him a second later,

it might not have mattered.

ARM: You got what you wanted.

Now take your people and go.

MALCOLM X: See you soon.

(movements in unison)

♪ ♪

ARM: This is too much power for one man to have.

(baby cooing)

(lullaby plays)

(tires screech)

(thud)

(explosion)

KING JR.: Core, Core, Core.

CORETTA: We're okay. KING JR.: Oh, God.

CORETTA: We're okay. We got to the back just before.

KING JR.: You're okay. The baby's okay?

CORETTA: Yeah.

KING JR.: Have they said anything?

CORETTA: Just that they're out looking for

whoever did it.

But they've been preoccupied with the crowd outside.

Martin, you need to do something before

things turn ugly.

KING JR.: All right. All right. All right. All right.

Now, let's go into the back, all right?

CORETTA: Okay. KING JR.: Let's go. Let's go.

(overlapping shouting)

Brothers and sisters, listen to me, please.

There's no need to panic.

I know you're angry,

but you need to heed Police Chief Sellers'

request and disperse.

I know you want answers.

I want them too,

but right now you need to go on home.

If you have weapons, please take them with you.

CITIZEN: But how are we supposed to protect ourselves?

MEMBER: Right.

KING JR.: We cannot counter acts of violence

with mirrored violence.

He who lives by the sword will be vanquished by the sword.

Remember, it was Jesus who told us this.

We must remind ourselves that we are Christians,

remind ourselves that we must meet hate with love.

That what we are doing is right and just,

and God is with us.

We appreciate your support,

but Coretta and the baby are okay.

For now, I need you to go home and

be with your loved ones.

(overlapping chatter)

♪ ♪

(baby cooing)

(Coretta sniveling)

CORETTA: Why do you have that?

KING JR.: This is for our protection.

CORETTA: Don't you think that's something we

should have discussed first?

KING JR.: I don't need your permission to protect my

family however I see fit.

CORETTA: Those men who bombed our home,

they want us to quit.

You go out with that gun,

then they would've gotten what they wanted.

They want us scared.

KING JR.: They did get what they wanted.

I am scared.

(knock)

ABERNATHY: You have a visitor.

KING JR.: Daddy, uh, you didn't need to come

all this way tonight.

KING SR.: You think anybody was gonna stop me

and I'm gonna spend the rest of the night

driving back home with you,

Coretta, and my granddaughter coming with me.

KING JR.: No, we're not.

KING SR.: Martin, now I'm proud of what you've done here.

I am.

You shine a light on the wrongs in Montgomery.

But you and this boycott,

you've awakened their anger so deep in the belly

of hateful men that the only possible outcome was violence.

And they ain't gonna stop until they put you in the ground.

KING JR.: I can't leave. Not now.

These people need me.

KING SR.: Damnit, you're my son.

I need you.

KING JR.: Daddy, you gave me my name and said I was

destined for great things.

I believe this boycott is it.

KING SR.: Coretta, will you talk some sense

into your husband?

He's putting you and the baby in danger.

CORETTA: My husband didn't bomb our home.

I didn't just marry the man.

I married the movement and all that comes with it.

This is where we belong.

Together.

KING SR.: It is going to get worse before it gets better.

So you be careful.

KING JR.: Core, you are a true soldier.

I don't know what I would do without you.

CORETTA: You'll never need to know.

MALCOLM X: Sister Betty, I didn't mean to interrupt.

BETTY X: It's all right.

Brother Hinton is resting peacefully.

MALCOLM X: I, uh, want to thank you

and all the women in our MGT program,

your help is what we need.

I want you to know that the security of all of our members

will be insured from this point moving forward.

BETTY X: That's very kind of you,

but you don't have to worry about me, I'll be fine.

MALCOLM X: Well, I do worry about you.

And we will do more. I promise.

I believe in what I'm doing. I believe it in my core.

BETTY X: Malcolm, Hinton didn't confront those

policemen because you told him to do that,

or because of some speech you gave.

He did it because it was the right thing to do.

What you're doing is just.

Never question that.

MALCOLM X: I, um, have to take a trip.

But, uh, if you're not too busy,

I'd love to see you again when I'm back.

BETTY X: I'd love that.

MALCOLM X: Yeah, I'll, uh, I'll be in touch.

(door opens and closes)

GRAY: A friend down at the courthouse just confirmed it.

The grand jury just returned a stack of criminal indictments,

arrest warrants for the entire

Montgomery Improvement Association.

89 in all.

This is the biggest mass indictment in the history of the state.

ROBINSON: Fred, when is this going to happen?

GRAY: Could be as early as tomorrow.

NIXON: I told you all, the threat of legal action

was a possibility.

Bastards will do anything to cut the head off the boycott.

ABERNATHY: Ain't going to be no boycott after they

round us up and drag us in.

RUSTIN: Have you all considered that it might be

a mistake waiting for the police to come after you all?

If I could, I'd like to suggest a more Gandhi-like approach.

Something along the lines of giving your

attacker the stick.

You have to show them that you aren't afraid of jail.

ROBINSON: And how exactly do we do that?

RUSTIN: Show them that jail is just a place.

Its power comes from our fear of it.

Show them you don't fear it, it loses its power.

ABERNATHY: So are you saying we turn ourselves in?

RUSTIN: You all are on the precipice of

major, sweeping changes,

but you'll only get there by galloping to the finish line,

not cautiously pulling on the reins.

You have to show them that you're willing

to risk everything, even your freedom,

to keep this boycott going.

KING JR.: Bayard, you may be right,

but many of the folks in this room have people

who depend on them.

Congregations they preside over,

families to look after,

I can't ask them to do this with me.

NIXON: Well, you ain't got to ask me.

I'm too old and done fought too long to be scared now.

It ain't nothing, not even jail,

is going to stop me from seeing this through.

So I'm with you.

ABERNATHY: I'm always with you.

ROBINSON: So am I.

♪ Swimming in the shallow sea ♪

♪ Scared of falling in too deep ♪

♪ Come and take a walk with me ♪

♪ Nobodies easy ♪

♪ You can't love what you cannot see ♪

♪ Come on over have a talk with me ♪

♪ Come on over have a talk with me ♪

♪ You can be righteous or you can pay the bills ♪♪

KING JR.: We heard you was looking for us.

♪ You can be righteous ♪

-♪ Righteous ♪ -♪ You can be righteous ♪♪

NIXON: Well, here we are.

♪ How can we see eye-to-eye when you're standing ♪

♪ On top of your hill ♪

-♪ Your hill ♪ -♪ Come together now ♪♪

ANCHOR: After 381 days of perseverance and endurance,

Negro citizens were informed that their hard-fought

decision to bring desegregation of the city buses,

finally came from the United States Supreme Court,

in clear and expedient language.

Segregation on public city buses in Montgomery

is no longer valid.

In light of this, the MIA declares the protests against

the city buses officially over.

(crowd cheering)

KING JR.: I didn't realize it until Coretta said it,

but combatting hate with hate only strengthens the power of

those who choose evil over good.

To break this cycle,

is it upon us to look within ourselves for the courage

we need to do this.

For it is only love that is strong enough to defeat hate.

♪ Come together now ♪♪

KING JR.: We achieved what everyone thought impossible.

Now it's time to take on the world.

(laughing)

CORETTA: Well, I have a suggestion of where to start.

Women are the backbone of every movement.

We need to let them know how powerful they can be united.

KING JR.: You know I recognize your power.

But what I think would be best is if you go to Atlanta and

get Yoki settled,

so I don't have to worry about either one of you.

I'll be where the power really is, Washington DC.

ABERNATHY: That's right.

KING JR.: This is our time, Corrie.

(knock)

Would you keep this cold, please?

RUSTIN: This is fame. Use it wisely.

♪ Beautiful tomorrow ♪

♪ Beautiful tomorrow ♪♪

RUSTIN: Oh, yeah. Well done. Well done.

♪ Yeah, we'll never know sorrow ♪♪

RUSTIN: He did it. He did it.

You look beautiful.

CORETTA: Thank you.

♪ There will never be a sunset ♪

♪ A fading of the day ♪

♪ In the beautiful tomorrow ♪

♪ In the beautiful tomorrow ♪

♪ Oh, sweeter than today ♪

♪ More sweeter than today ♪♪

MUHAMMAD: Forgive me for the immediacy of this meeting,

but Brother Clyde has informed me of the recent

events in Harlem.

I feel a conversation is warranted.

MALCOLM X: Absolutely.

And I must start by expressing my gratitude

for discussing this matter,

and gratitude that you are in good health as well.

MUHAMMAD: Praise to Allah.

But please, if I may,

you were sent to spread the message of

the nation to the people.

Why the violence and discord?

MALCOLM X: Uh, you would have to ask that of our oppressors.

But their actions warranted a response.

MUHAMMAD: Which was? MALCOLM X: Strength.

It is the same sentiment you instilled in me when I was at

my lowest point and the response that

got their attention.

MUHAMMAD: And what was that?

MALCOLM X: $70,000 to Hinton and the nation.

The largest settlement in New York history.

MUHAMMAD: This is impressive, Malcolm,

but that's not my point.

Why didn't you consult with me first?

MALCOLM X: Your Honorable One,

I humbly apologize for not consulting with you.

It is an oversight that pains me,

but I hope you know that the love and devotion I have

to you and your teachings would never allow me to do

anything of ill intent towards you.

I do, and always will do,

everything in power of our Nation.

MUHAMMAD: Our Nation, our members,

and our message needs to be protected at all costs.

And within that protection,

there comes to a need to show strength and resolve,

which is exactly which has been demonstrated to

this country which we all inhabit.

Malcolm, I'm proud of you.

If you feel a calling,

I would like to make you the National Representative

to the Nation.

All I ask, is this the future that you desire?

MALCOLM X: Absolutely.

MUHAMMAD: Then I'll leave you to it.

(door opens and closes)

CLYDE X: Well, congratulations.

♪ ♪

MALCOLM X: Sorry if I called you at a troubled time.

BETTY X (over phone): Never any trouble when I hear your voice.

How was your trip?

MALCOLM X (over phone): Chicago was prosperous.

Listen, I don't have much time...

And frankly, I hoped to do this in person.

But as Allah alludes, when the spirit is moved,

its message comes with it.

No matter where.

Betty, my life with the Nation is moving in a direction

that Allah has paved.

And it's a destination that leads directly to you.

BETTY X: Brother Malcolm, what are you trying to tell me?

MALCOLM X: Betty, will you marry me?

BETTY X (over phone): Um, yes. Yes, um,

but I have to ask, why now?

MALCOLM X: Uh, because it feels right and, um,

you and I, fit, and we fit with the Nation.

MALCOLM X (over phone): And I just love how you make me feel.

You inspire me to do more.

And I guess I just love that.

And I hope you feel the same.

BETTY X: Well, I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't.

BETTY X (over phone): Get home safe.

♪ ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Yeah, lit 'em up ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

-♪ I'm on a new level ♪ -♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I'm on a new level ♪

♪ I'm on a new level ♪

♪ I'm on a new level ♪

♪ I'm on a new level ♪

♪ Bought me a new shovel, put these in the dirt ♪

♪ Chain with the new bezel, all my put-in work ♪

♪ I'm on a new level ♪

♪ I'm on a new level ♪

♪ I'm on a new level ♪

♪ I'm on a new level ♪

♪ Bought me a new shovel, put these in the dirt ♪

♪ Chain with the new bezel, all my put-in work ♪

♪ Uh-ah-yeah! ♪

♪ Yeah! ♪

♪ Uh-ah-yeah! ♪

♪ Yeah! ♪

♪ Uh-ah-yeah! ♪

♪ Yeah! ♪

♪ Uh-woo-yeah ♪

♪ Uh-ah-yeah! ♪