Doggedly searching for the crux of the biscuit.
...that Malcolm X was shot and killed. The Guardian reprints its coverage from that day in today's issue. For a lesson on how quickly language can change, notice how anachronistic it feels to read the word "Negro" many times in a short article.
TrackBackThe Sgt. Pepper juxtaposition of your title strikes me as off, but that could be because of my youth.
What lessons can be learned from the lack of assassinations in the United States since 1970?
Some possibilities:
The civil rights movement was very successful, after success it stopped being such a visible target.
Security has improved at a faster rate than the ability of assassins.
Despite a lot of talk otherwise, the country isn't nearly as divided as it was in the late 60's and far fewer people consider assassination a possible way of achieving their political goals.
The Illuminati has strongly cracked down on assassinations after too much back and forth killing decimated their ranks.
Not sure if that last part works as a joke, since most assassination victims can't be plausibly construed as being on opposing sides of a massive conspiracy.
Also, thanks for the information about the source for the "smallest room in my house" quote.