Malcolm X
WHo was Malcolm x?
Malcolm X was born as Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. Malcolm was exposed to Civil Rights activism at a very young age because Malcolm's father, Earl Little, strongly supported Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. In 1931, Malcolm's father was killed by Black Legion members after many threats by the group to the Little family. Malcolm's mother, Louise, suffered a mental breakdown after Earl's death and was no longer able to take care of Malcolm. After being put into a foster home, Malcolm dropped out of school and started a life of crime. When Malcolm was 21, he was put in prison for burglary. It was there that Malcolm found the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam. In 1952 Malcolm joined the Nation of Islam and changed his name to Malcolm X to signify his stolen identity as an African American. In 1964, Malcolm left the NOI because Muhammad tried to silence Malcolm from speaking out about racism and formed his own organization, Muslim Mosque, Inc. Malcolm soon became very popular as his message received positive responses from African Americans.
Malcolm X and the Black power movement
The Black Power Movement formed after the death of Malcolm X in 1965 as a result of unsatisfied working class African Americans who argued that the Civil Rights Movement efforts were only catering to elite African Americans who could easily assimilate into white society. African Americans as a whole did not believe the laws passed during the Civil Rights Movement were reaching black communities and the non-violent approach to desegregation was ineffective. African American communities wanted racial attitudes in society to change and a new socioeconomic system that included all African Americans regardless of class. Malcolm X advocated for embracing African American identity, establishing all black political and cultural institutions and using violence against white aggression 'by any means necessary'. Malcolm's death only popularized his ideas among black youth which helped lay the foundation for the Black Power Movement.
Impact after death
Malcolm X's death fueled the start of the Black Power Movement which gave African American communities a growing sense of racial pride. Malcolm's message along with the movement gave rise to organizations like the Black Panther Party and the SNCC. Malcolm's influence created a strong cultural base for African Americans that went beyond civil rights to national liberties.