Malcolm X
By: Helen Flock
Malcolm X: The Early Years
Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska to the birth name of Malcolm Little: He went to school in Michigan, and had plans on becoming a lawyer, but his teacher said “I recommend becoming a carpenter instead, as being a lawyer isn't a realistic goal for a person of color”(Ali,5). He dropped out of school at the age of 15 and moved to Boston where he was exposed to the criminal world. He was convicted of battery, breaking & entering, & carrying a weapon at the age of twenty and was sentenced to eight to ten years (Ali, 11). while in prison he choose to educate himself knowing that you can't go anywhere without an education (African American Quotes, X).
Malcolm Little before his name change
Malcolm X: Life After Prison
After Malcolm was released from prison he joined the group called The Nation of Islam where he was given the last name that most people know of as “X”. He traveled to Boston, New York, and Philadelphia as a minister for The Nation of Islam (Ali, 15). He started a family in 1958 and end up having six daughters before his death. he was very dedicated to The Nation of Islam ‘In 1959 he becomes an ambassador for The Nation of Islam and travels to the Middle East, Ghana, United Arab Republic, Sudan & Nigeria”(Ali, 18). He attend the March on Washington, and Said “why are black people happy about a demonstration run by whites in front of a statue of a president who has been dead for a hundred years and who didn't like us when he was alive”(Ali,16). He started to work on his own autobiography and meets famous black movement members: Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali.
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.
The Tragic End
In 1963 Malcolm started to have issues with The Nation of Islam, and ended up leaving in 1964 (Mamiya,2). Malcolm started his own group: Muslim Mosque Inc. Malcolms' growing tension with The Nation of Islam 'Led to death threats and open violence against him" (Mamiya,2). Malcolm was assassinated in February of 1965 while giving a speech in New York City (Biography,3). Malcolm X's passing isn't celebrated like other people who have made a impact on America, but he is a man whose legacy will live one forever, not just for African Americans, but for everyone. He had an impact on the working class to tell the world we are all equal, unlike Martin Luther King Jr. who wanted the African American's to be treated equal. Malcolm wanted African Americans to be able to have the same or stronger right to condition and political power as the whites in the 1950's, 1960's and for the future (Britannica,4). Malcolms movements for African Americans and religion will be something that will still be around forever.
Work Cited
Ali, Noaman. "Malcolm X: Time Line." Malcolm-X. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
Haley, Alex. "Malcolm X - An Islamic Perspective." Colostate.edu/. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
"Malcolm X." AfricanAmericanQuotes. N.p., 2007. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
"Malcolm X." Britannica. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2013.
"Malcolm X." Biography.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
"American Civil Rights Movement." Britannica. N.p., 2013. Web. 30 Oct. 2013.
Malcolm X: More Than a Name. 1932. Photograph. Michigan.
Malcolm X. N.d. Photograph. N.p.
Malcolm. N.d. Photograph. African American History, n.p.