Journal entry of Malcolm X Assassination
“Run, catch the men, this was planned by them! Don’t let them get away with murder, they have killed our leader!” This is what everyone screamed who chased after the killers. In shock, I sit here today to tell you my story of what I have witnessed in the assassination of my leader Malcolm X. I have no idea where to begin but I’ll let you know that, that day is still vividly impactful for me till this day. But before I begin, I would like to let you know more about Malcolm X. He was very devoted in what he preached.
He first began his journey by learning a lot from Elijah Muhammad, who was the leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI). The nation of Islam supported Black Nationalism and racial separation, and they disapproved Americans of European descent. The NOI members were only black Muslims. Elijah Muhammad’s teachings intrigued Malcolm who educated himself more about the NOI and took the last name of X which symbolized his forgotten African identity. Malcolm promoted self-defense and the liberation of African Americans. This is one of the main reasons why more and more African Americans admired Malcolm X because it made them feel like they do have a stand in their life and they can take charge in their beliefs. Within time he developed a better outspoken philosophy than Elijah Muhammad whom he felt didn’t support the civil rights movement. Eventually Elijah Muhammad realized that Malcolm X became too much powerful that he suspended him from the NOI. This is when troubles began to arise slowly for Malcolm X.
In few months Malcolm made a Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca where he for the first time realized the different races among the traditional Muslims. They believed in unity. He returned to Ame...
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...o a hospital!” About 4 policeman stormed towards him and took his body on a stretcher and carried Malcolm through the crowd, the crowd was in a state of shock and fear, but two people said softly “he’s not going to make it. I hope he doesn’t die.” We all were scared! We could only hope that he could survive this horrendous attack! At one exit I saw some of Malcolm’s followers beating up the three men angrily. The Police had to fight their way toward the three men in order to arrest them. But finally, I was able to find an exit and I told the news reporters what I witnessed. As stated on the news on Feb 21, 1965 Malcolm X was shot 15 times. He was pronounced dead when he arrived at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. He was only 39 years old. The three men were convicted of the assassination of Malcolm X and shockingly they were all members of the Nation of Islam (NOI).
However, it was what happened in his life that made Malcolm X the man who people remember today. From a very early age, Little lived in fear of racism and hate groups, much of it rooting from his father’s murder by white supremacists. He was effectively orphaned by 13, as his mother was placed in a mental institution, and lived until he was 20 in several different foster homes. He was arrested for a crime and once released, went on to commit several crimes, including using and distributing drugs, etc. It was when he was imprisoned that he found the Nation of Islam, who helped him when he was released from prison to find a new life. From them, he was able to attain great oratory skills and create an environment when he spoke in which the people around him, white and black alike, felt empowered and equal. Once he discovered corruption and began to disdain the Nation of Islam, he became independent and was later assassinated. However, he along with MLK, were empowered by their stories, Malcolm’s being one of hatred, poverty, hope, and truth, that changed him to become a stimulus for African American equality in
This was due to the fact that Malcolm felt his hero and mentor, Elijah Muhammad, had betrayed him. Muhammad had violated his own teachings of marital affairs when he had fathered several children out of wedlock. After this fallout with Muhammad, Malcolm went on a journey to Africa where he did the Hajj, which was the traditional Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. After his pilgrimage to Mecca Malcolm X converted to traditional Islam and again changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.
Malcolm X was often encountered by Muslims from other countries who wished to “enlighten” him with what they felt was true Islam. He was initially very skeptical towards these claims but eventually his curiosity got the better of him. To get to know the religion better, Malcolm was directed by his friends to an Egyptian professor in New York, Dr. Mahmoud Youssef
Malcolm gained permission from Muhammad to search for more recruits out in Detroit, and this is where Malcolm earned the legendary “X”, to represent the unknown African name he would have had if his ancestors not been kidnapped and enslaved. Islam gave Malcolm X a chance to forgive others, but to first forgive himself. Short after Malcolm is appointed as a leading spokesperson for the Black Muslims. Malcolm continues to gain recognition as well as loyalty from his fellow muslim brothers, he travels from city to city, to aid in the foundings of new temple’s for Elijah Muhammad. After Muhammad becomes ill, Malcolm faintly takes the lead while calling shots without asking Muhammad. The Nation of Islam becomes more and more furious with his actions although his comment on J.F.K’s assassination “the chickens coming home to roost”, is what exiled him from the Nation and every muslim brother was told to never speak to him
Malcolm X became one of the leading figures during the civil rights movement with his great ideas and speaking abilities. Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X led the Nation of Islam in the United States. The Nation existed as a growing organization and the government felt that it would turn into a violent association. The FBI became intensely interested in Malcolm after his joining with Elijah Muhammad and began to tap Malcolm X and try to find charges against him so he...
In conclusion, ‘The Autobiography of Malcolm X’ is an interesting and infromative book that should be read by everyone. However, for those does not have any interest in History, you must prepare yourself physically and mentally to completing this book. From the book, we can extract many moral issues that arises without we know. Hence, as a Muslim, we should always concern and be knowledgeable as possible in order to preserve our
When Malcolm x was known as Malcolm Little which was from his birth until during his time in prison went he converted to the Nation of Islam ( Malcolm X 154-172) he experienced traumatic events that laid the foundation in terms of how he came to view white people u...
Malcolm’s life may have ended more than 50 years ago, but his struggle lives today. Regardless of his imperfections, his example of courage and desire for truth should be an example for all. Trying to live a life true to your beliefs of right and wrong can be the most intimidating task a human ever faces. Malcolm X took on that challenge with courage and did the best he could, with the means provided to him. As with Malcolm’s example, keep an open mind, be willing to change your beliefs and misconceptions, and this book can provide insight into his life and possibly your
Before, Malcolm believed that all white people were the devil, even the ones who did not have issues with the blacks. He believed that racism was so deeply rooted in them, that even if they claimed to not be a racist, if put in the position where his status was threatened by the black man, he would find away to make himself better. However, this perception of white people changed—“I have eaten from the same plate, drunk from the same glass, and slept in the same bed, while praying to the same God, with fellow Muslims, whose eyes were the bluest of blue, and whose hair was the blondest of blonde, and whose skin was the whitest of white.” (p.347). Malcolm realized that in Mecca, people did not pay attention to someone’s race because they were all there to worship the same God. This event shows systemic oppression in the text contrasting the different societies in America and Mecca. In America, if one were black, they would have a certain standard to which they had to live by. In Mecca, race did not matter and it was over looked—people were not expected to fit into a certain class and act particular way based on the color of their
Malcolm X had the ability to reach any one member of the black nation in America. This revolution was cut short on a sad day in February of 1965, when Malcolm X was assassinated. This left a void in the hearts of the people who he had touched upon in his revolt. This was where things began to get funky.
Analysis of Malcolm X Shot and killed at the young age of thirty- nine. A man who was not quite finished with his literary learning. The author Malcolm X of Discovering the Power of Language. Is what Malcolm x uses to tell the world about his struggle for a larger intellect. As knowledge is gained so was the power of Malcolm's speeches. In Discovering the Power of Language Malcolm takes his audience through his own journey of how he once spoke in the past.
Malcolm X has truly captured the hearts of many. From his empowering personality to his amazing life story, he is a figure history can never forget. His autobiography is a full and honest account of his life, his struggle against racism, mistakes, regrets, choices good and bad, as well as discove...
The Nation of Islam, which Malcolm X was an important member of, is not a religious organization as the name suggests but rather an organization whose goal was to make the lives of African Americans better instead of actually teaching the proper ethics of Islam. One of the main objectives of this organization was Black Nationalism, through which Black leaders can control the areas where there is a majority of African Americans. This cause was greatl...
Malcolm’s second transformation was his immersion and dedication to the Nation of Islam. He followed the "great" Alijah Muhammad and his teachings. Malcolm started preaching to small amounts of followers. It did not take long for the word of Malcolm’s preaching to get into the community.
... the firebombing, Malcolm was assassinated at the Audubon Ballroom in New York at a meeting of the O.A.A.U. at the age of 39. Rumors have it that the Nation of Islam was involved and there are also rumors that the F.B.I. was involved.