X_Man

     

Malcolm X is one of the most influential African Americans in history. Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1925.  He grew up in a foster home after his fathers death and after his mother being checked into a mental institution.  He dropped out of school and moved to Boston and lived a life of crime. I think this is where American already judged Malcolm X. He was convicted of his crimes and sent to prison (Ross).  This is where he found the Nation of Islam and became self-educated. He dropped his last name and replaced it with an X. He uplifted the self-esteem of African Americans by saying, “Black is Beautiful.” (Ross)
Malcolm X was a Black Nationalist in the 1960s believing in self-empowerment and self-improvement. People portrayed him to be the opposite of Martin Luther King Jr. because of their different philosophies.  He stood out from other Civil Rights activists because he believed that African Americans should be separated from whites and to have nothing to do with their society, while the others wanted integration and equality for all. (Ross)
One of his most famous quotes was,  “We declare our right on this earth.  To be a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.”  The words “by any means necessary” became his slogan.(Ross)  Many people thought he supported the act of violence and portrayed him as a racist because of his comments about President Kennedy’s Assassination saying, “Chickens Coming Home To Roost.”  Malcolm X was misunderstood. His message and practices were only for African American performing self-defense, self-reliance, and self-respect.  He influenced many African Americans to stand up and fight racism proactively.(Smith)
Malcolm X was one of the members of the Nation of Islam and started the clash with the leader Elijah Muhammad, over how the organization should handle issues. Muhammad suspended Malcolm for his comments about President Kennedy.  The Nation of Islam had some rivalries and jealousy between Malcolm and other members.  Malcolm made a pilgrimage to Mecca and converted to traditional Islam.  When he returned to America with the name El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz and he broke away from the Nation of Islam and started to form his organization called the Organization of Afro-American Unity.  “We need more light about each other. Light creates understanding, understanding creates love, love creates patience, and patience creates unity.”(Smith)  This organization worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and collaborated with African presidents.  This caused a rift between him and the Nation of Islam, because his organization began to grow and gain more followers. The FBI and the CIA saw Malcolm as a top threat to society.  They used tactics and personnel to target Malcolm because of his relations with Africans and they saw him as a risk for vast amounts of money for American corporations.  He was reportedly, shot to death by three African American Muslims while giving a speech in New York City. (Smith)
After his death his teachings lived on after his death and influenced many black power organizations including the Black Panther Party.  There organization used a lot of his values like self-defense and self-empowerment. (Smith)
His legacy still lives on today, because many cities throughout the country have a Malcolm X Day, which is celebrated on his birthday.  Musical artists use references from his beliefs and his quotes. The Jungle Brothers, Public Enemy, and Intelligent Hoodlum and many more all sampled from Malcolm X.  He has had a self-entitled film and an autobiography written about his life. He is an icon and his image displayed in the thousands all around this country.


Ross, Peter M. "Biography." The Official Malcolm X. A Strong Black Man, 4 Mar. 2000. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://www.malcolmx.com/about/bio.html>.

Smith, TJ M. "Malcolm X." Americans Who Tell The Truth. We Will Be Free, 12 Oct. 1999. Web. 05 Mar. 2014. <http://www.americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/malcolm-x>.