Why did Malcolm X criticize the use of the terms “Negro” and “colored”?

Malcolm X criticized the terms "Negro" and "colored" because he believed they were labels imposed by white society that undermined Black identity, integrity, and independence. As a prominent figure in the Nation of Islam, he viewed these labels as remnants of a system that did not reflect the true heritage or dignity of Black people.1

Following the tradition of the Nation of Islam, which considered surnames to have originated with white slaveholders, Malcolm X advocated for a shift in terminology. He played a significant role in moving the discourse away from "Negro" and "colored"—terms often associated with historical subjugation—toward "Black" and "Afro-American," which he felt better represented race pride and Black nationalism. His biting critique of the "so-called Negro" was fundamental to his broader efforts to foster Black consciousness and autonomy.1