Benjamin Karim

Benjamin Karim
Karim (right) with Malcolm X
Born
Benjamin Goodman

(1932-07-24)July 24, 1932
Suffolk, Virginia, US
DiedAugust 2, 2005(2005-08-02) (aged 73)
Richmond, Virginia, US
Other nameBenjamin 2X
OccupationsActivist, minister, author
Known forAssociate of Malcolm X

Benjamin Karim (born Benjamin Goodman; July 14, 1932 – August 2, 2005), also known as Benjamin 2X, was an American activist, minister, and author. He was a close associate of Malcolm X.

Biography

Karim was born Benjamin Goodman, on July 14, 1932, in Suffolk, Virginia, the son of Wilbur Bryant Goodman and Mary Goodman. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. After the war, he moved to New York City, where he worked as an audio engineer.[1][2]

Karim first heard Malcolm X speak in 1957. After hearing Malcolm speak, he became a close associate of his. He converted to the Nation of Islam (NOI) and served as a event speaker for the organization, as well as directing an education program at Masjid Malcolm Shabazz.[3] He also changed his name to Benjamin 2X.[1] He began educating himself on black history, with him having later admitted to not knowing black history existed before hearing Malcolm X speak. As an associate to Malcolm X, he often represented him in speaking events. He sided with Malcolm after he left the NOI and founded the Organization of Afro-American Unity. He introduced Malcolm for a speaking event at the Audubon Ballroom, on February 21, 1965, during which Malcolm was assassinated.[3]

After Malcolm's assassination, Karim rejoined the NOI and changed his name from Benjamin 2X to Benjamin Karim. He spent the following decades educating on Malcolm's life and beliefs, especially his beliefs of self-sufficiency and education among African Americans. He was an advisor in the production of Spike Lee's 1992 film Malcolm X;[3] and was portrayed in the film by Jean-Claude La Marre.[4] He also wrote the book Remembering Malcolm, a biography, alongside Peter Skutches and Paul Gallen.[5]

Karim had three sons and two daughters, and was married to Linda Karim. He died on August 2, 2005, aged 73, in Richmond, Virginia, from injuries sustained in a fall.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Karim, Benjamin (February 15, 1996). "Benjamin Karim: "Remembering Malcolm"". President's Lecture Series.
  2. ^ "Minister and Malcolm X Aide Benjamin Karim". The Washington Post. August 8, 2005. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  3. ^ a b c d "Benjamin Karim, 73; Muslim Minister and Author Was a Key Aide to Malcolm X". Los Angeles Times. August 6, 2005. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  4. ^ Lee, Spike; Wiley, Ralph (December 1, 1992). By Any Means Necessary: Trials And Tribulations of the Making of Malcolm X. Hyperion. ISBN 978-1-56282-913-1.
  5. ^ Van Deburg, William L. (January 24, 1993). "Malcolm X Biographies Mark Historical Insights". The Houston Post. p. 57. Retrieved April 25, 2026.

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