Malcolm X

Malcolm X

By: Marie Hussels H01

Malcolm X was born in Omaha Nebraska in 1925. He was born Malcolm Little and would later give himself the Arabic name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Growing up Malcolm X was a Christian because his father was a minister. His family moved around frequently as his father preached the gospel. Malcolm X’s father greatly supported Black Nationalism just as Malcolm X would later do.

When Malcolm X was six years old his father was hit and killed by a car occupied by a group of white men. It is widely believed that the killing of Malcolm X’s father was a hate crime because of his advocating of Black Nationalism.

After his father’s death, Malcolm’s family struggled greatly to make ends meet. With his mother being the primary caregiver the stress proved too much for her and she was eventually admitted to an insane asylum. After her admittance, Malcolm X and his siblings were placed in foster care.

In foster care, Malcolm X began to act out and commit crimes. His delinquency eventually caught up to him and he was arrested for burglary. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.

While in prison Malcolm X converted to Islam, specifically the Nation of Islam. The Nation of Islam was different from other forms of Islam in the fact that it combined the teachings of Islam with the ideals of Black Nationalism, just as his father had taught. While in prison Malcolm X legally changed his name from Malcolm Little to Malcolm X. He also gave himself his Arabic name.

After his release from prison, Malcolm X took a strong stance against segregation during the Civil Rights Movement. He was seen as a very influential leader and was often seen as the “opposite” of Martin Luther King Junior. This was because while King advocated for civil disobedience and peaceful protest Malcolm X encouraged people to defend themselves through whatever means necessary. He also advocated for the races to be separate. He wanted African Americans to rise up and govern themselves separate from their white counterparts. Instead of assimilating with white people Malcolm X’s goal was to unite all African Americans.

Later in life, Malcolm X traveled to Africa. After this trip, he came to reflect the Nation of Islam and took a more peaceful stance on Civil Rights. He worked with Martin Luther King a few times and founded the corporation Muslim Mosque Inc. The organization sought to bring together all African Americans and truly unite the race. His radicalism saw a decline as the corporation encouraged African Americans of all backgrounds and religions to come together.

In 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated in New York after only a year of running Muslim Mosque Inc. His death sparked outrage and caused even more people to take a stand during the Civil Rights Movement.

Malcolm X still remains prominent today as we see a rise in the popularity of Black Nationalism again. As times change maybe we will see a new Malcolm X arise in our own time.

“Concerning nonviolence, it is criminal to teach a man not to defend himself when he is the constant victim of brutal attacks.”— Malcolm X

Read:

https://hollowverse.com/malcolm-x/

http://malcolmx.com/quotes/

Quiz:

1. What is Malcolm X's real name?
2. In what state was Malcolm X assassinated?
3. The Nation of Islam combines the teachings of Islam with what?
4. Malcolm X is considered the what of MLK?
5. What organization did Malcolm X found?

Discussion Questions: 

• How did Malcolm X's philosophies differ from MLK's?
• Do you think the world would be different if Malcolm X had been the front-runner of the Civil Rights Movement?
• Do you think the death of Malcolm X's father impacted his philosophies later in life?

Midterm: Midterm report

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