Malcolm X
Civil Rights Activist
Who Is Malcolm X?
Malcolm X was born May 19th 1925, he was an American Muslim minister and a human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of blacks, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans; People accused him of preaching racism and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history.
Brief History
Malcolm X was effectively orphaned early in life. His father was killed when he was six and his mother was placed in a mental hospital when he was thirteen, after which he lived in a series of foster homes. In 1946, at age 20, he went to prison for larceny and breaking and entering. While in prison, Malcolm X became a member of the Nation of Islam, and after his parole in 1952, he quickly rose to become one of the organization's most influential leaders, serving as the public face of the controversial group for a dozen years.
What was he Involved in?
By March 1964, Malcolm X had grown disappointed with the Nation of Islam and its leader Elijah Muhammad. Expressing many regrets about his time with them, which he had come to regard as largely wasted, he embraced Sunni Islam. After a period of travel in Africa and the Middle East which included completing the Hajj, and founded Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity.
In February 1965 he was assassinated by three Nation of Islam members.
Achievements
- the NOI newspaper, was founded by Malcolm in 1957
- In 1963, the New York Times reported that Malcolm X was the second most sought after speaker in the United States.
- In March 1964, after his split with the NOI, Malcolm forms the Muslim Mosque, Inc. Several months later, he also organizes the Organizations of Afro-American Unity (OAAU).
- Malcolm’s autobiography, which he worked on for two years with writer Alex
Three leadership Traits Malcolm X has in common with Nelson Mandela
Throughout 1964, as conflict with the Nation of Islam intensified, Malcolm X was repeatedly threatened. In February a leader of Temple Number Seven ordered the bombing of Malcolm X's car. In March, Elijah Muhammad told the Boston minister that "hypocrites like Malcolm should have their heads cut off On June 8, FBI surveillance recorded a telephone call in which the wife of Malcolm X, Betty Shabazz was told that her husband was "as good as dead." Four days later, an FBI informant received a tip that "Malcolm X is going to be bumped off." On July 9 Elijah Muhammad referred to Malcolm X by saying, "Anyone who opposes the Honorable Elijah Muhammad puts their life in jeopardy." to an undercover FBI agent.The September 1964 issue of Ebony dramatized Malcolm X's defiance of these threats by publishing a photograph of him holding a rifle while peering out a window.
In relation to Nelson Mandela
No. 8- Quitting is leading too.