Malcolm X Biography

728 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Malcolm x biography high school essay

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on Tuesday 19th of May 1925 in the town of Omaha, Nebraska. His parents were called Earl and Louise. Earl, was a follower of Marcus Garvey and was a Baptist minister, he died when Malcolm was only six years old, likely murdered by the Black Legion a sub-section of the KKK. As a result his mother, became the lone carer of nine children, and was later commended to an institution for the insane, consequently of a mental breakdown linked to Earl’s death. Malcolm went to a school in East Lansing, Michigan, flunked out at the eighth grade, and then relocated to live with an older sister in the Roxbury part of Boston. There he became caught up in petty illegal activities. As an out of work street hustler and the front-runner of a multiracial crew of robbers in Roxbury, and shortly in Harlem, he was well-known as "Detroit Red" for the reddish tinge of his hair. In the course of his prison years, he undertook the first of his two conversion occurrences; he embraced the Nation of Islam headed by Elijah Muhammad. Following the tradition of the Nation of Islam, he replaced his surname with an X, embodying what he had been and what he had become: "Ex-smoker. Ex-drinker. Ex-Christian. Ex-slave.” Islam is a religious system centred upon the experiences of Mohammed, who said he was selected by Allah (god) to perform as his divinely inspired demonstrative on Earth. The Nation of Islam is an Islamic sect, an organization with particular beliefs or values that functions within a larger group. The Nation of Islam asserted that most African slaves brought to the Americas were Muslims.

Malcolm soon became a popular and fiery public speaker, displaying traits of a charismatic/transformational leader; he was the spokesp...

... middle of paper ...

...d the Muslim name el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz. He then renounced the separatist principles of the Nation of Islam. In 1965, he created the Organization for Afro-American Unity as a political medium to internationalize the plight of black Americans, to make shared cause with Third World nations, and to shift from civil rights to human rights. On 21 February 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated while presenting a lecture at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, being shot 16 times.

In conclusion his ideas and speeches truly contributed to the development of Black Nationalist ideology and the black power movement in the late 1960s in the United States. He provided an inspirational story for the masses of African- Americans, and a voice of their rage and anger towards the infringement of their rights. He indeed was a revolutionary leader, and fate sadly finally caught up with him.

Show More
Related

  • W.E.B. DuBois: Hall of Fame

    943 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...upport of black nationalism and communism towards the end of his life. He is recognized as one of the most influential African American scholars of the 20th century paving the way for advocates of civil rights.

    Read More

  • Similarities Between Richard Wright And Malcolm X

    771 Words  | 2 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • Reflection On The Autobiography Of Malcolm X

    1496 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion, I would like to say that this book is worthwhile reading although it is a quite thick and might take longer time to finish reading it. I might not good in reviewing a book or giving criticism for something. Reading this autobiography can benefit people in many fields. Different people will see things differently. So does when reading this book, certain people might take the lessons differently and it might benefit differently. For example, as a sociological study, it could provide fascinating insights into ghetto life and the ways which an individual learned to survive in the ghetto. Meanwhile as a religious work, it does tell about how an individual is struggling in order to find his God. And it cannot be denied as it is clear that in political work is the book has had its strongest impact.

    Read More

  • The Autobiography Of Malcom X's Autobiography Of Malcolm X

    1112 Words  | 3 Pages

    autobiography. He also illustrates his early experiences of segregation, as early as before he was born:

    Read More

  • The Life and Legacy of Malcolm X

    522 Words  | 2 Pages

    Malcolm X should be everyone’s hero, someone people like myself should look up to as a human being. Anyone who thinks otherwise is either a racist or is extremely ignorant. Malcolm X wore his heart on his sleeve and whether right or wrong he was never afraid to say what was on his mind to anyone who cared to listen. I personally believe Malcolm X’s beliefs give me strength to do what's right and carry myself with dignity. I remember, as a kid, my parents had tons of books about Black History books. The first book I read was a Malcolm X biography. I realized Malcolm X was truly a powerful, significant, and essential work for all time.

    Read More

  • Influence On Malcolm X

    1794 Words  | 4 Pages

    Malcolm set everything in motion when he converted to the Nation of Islam, an African American movement that combined elements of Islam with Black Nationalism. While in prison, his siblings persuaded him to write to the Nation’s leader, Elijah Muhammad. X was uneasy at first, but came around shortly. Malcolm wrote Muhammad a one-page letter each day in curiosity about the Nation of Islam. Muhammad replied as the “Messenger of Allah” welcoming Malcolm into the “true knowledge” (Haley 195). Before X’s release in nineteen fifty-two, he went under an intense self-educated program by reading books in the prison library, and even memorizing an entire dictionary. He also sharpened his forensic skills by participating in debate classes. When Malcolm was released from prison he had his first official visit with Muhammad in Chicago, he devoted his life to the Muslim ministry. Soon Malcolm began traveling and preaching with other ministers. He picked up their techniques and devoured their knowledge. Malcolm quickly rose in the Nation of Islam ranks becoming minister of Temple number eleven in Boston and Muhammad’s most effective recruiter and spokesman. Soon after, X was rewarded minister of Temple number seven in Harlem, New York, the largest and most prestigious after the Chicago Headquarters and eventually named the National Representative of the Nation of Islam, second in rank behind Muhammad himself. Under X’s lieutenancy the nation claimed a membership of five-hundred thousand, as the numbers grew X’s teachings began to change; he wanted to make a vast difference. He spread the glorious history of African Americans. He urged the Nation to become more active in the civil rights protest instead of being a critic on the side. X articulated the Nation’s racial doctrines of evil

    Read More

  • Biography of Malcolm X: A Famous Civil Rights Activist

    1605 Words  | 4 Pages

    Malcolm Little, Aka Malcolm X, was a famous civil rights movement activist. He had a hard childhood. He was picked on due to the light color of his skin by peers and family members. He grew up poor and spent years of his life committing crimes and ended up in prison. Malcolm X found Islam in prison, and developed different philosophies which came from his childhood experiences. Malcolm X eventually found peace, and unfortunately was killed after he began to make a positive difference.

    Read More

  • Development Of Malcolm X Essay

    1128 Words  | 3 Pages

    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...

    Read More

  • Malcolm X's Life and Accomplishments

    1413 Words  | 3 Pages

    Malcolm was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska to Louise and Earl Little. His Father, Earl, was a Baptist minister and an active member of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (founded by Marcus Garvey). Due to his involvement in civil rights, Malcolm and his family were harassed and experienced racism from an early age, and Malcolm’s encounter before he was even born. In his own words, Malcolm said: “ When my mother was pregnant with me, she told me later, ‘ a party of hooded Ku Klux Klan riders galloped to our home, brandishing their guns and rifles, they shouted for my father to come out’.”

    Read More

  • Malcolm, Malcolm X: A Life Of Reinvention

    1588 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...ionary leader that this country needed but did not necessarily want. He was a controversial and compelling figure in American history. He grew up in harsh circumstances and had to fight his way out of hardship and peril. He used his time of incarceration as a point of reflection, opening himself to new ideas and philosophies. He was reviled by many for his ideas about the revolution against whites; he was also beloved by the African-American community because of his outright and passionate support for the equality of the minority, and the belief that blacks should have a place of power in American society. Malcolm X embodied what the civil rights movement represented and he should be considered as one of its greatest leaders because he helped shape the public’s understanding through his own experiences and his hard-won perspective, leadership, and sacrifice.

    Read More

  • Malcolm X, the Movie

    1112 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... of Afro-American Unity. On the 21, of February in 1965 Malcolm was murdered. When he was buried he went by the name of Al Hajj Al-Shabazz, the name that he took in 1964 after his pilgrimage to Mecca. Malcolm has much influence on blacks and whites. Malcolm was a man of the people, in his ways of teaching on the street instead of going to college to become a preacher.

    Read More

  • The Autobiography of Malcolm X

    1304 Words  | 3 Pages

    Malcolm X is an extremely critical figure that contributed in shaping American social life. He was a famous man who articulated the struggle, anger, and beliefs of African Americans. He was a radical man who fought for change despite the situation. His struggle for equality for the black nation landed him in prison. While in prison, Malcolm was able to study, and earned a college degree. However, most importantly while in prison, Malcolm X was introduced to the Islam faith by one of the prisoners. He received teachings from the Muslim faith, which made him realize that, his people were being oppressed and abused by the whites. While out of prison, he went to visit honorable Elijah Muhammad and later on went around preaching Elijah Muhammad’s teachings. Through his preaching’s, he was able to bring many people into the Muslim faith. He later on decided to visit the Middle East and make a holy pilgrimage/ Hajj in Mecca. Malcolm X’s views about the potential for real change in America changed, after visiting Mecca and breaking with the Nation of Islam.

    Read More

  • Effects of Nat Turner’s Rebellion

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...le. He worked through the struggles and difficulties to make sure that his goals were accomplished. The actions he took allowed African Americans to gather hope and lead a change in our world.

    Read More

  • Free Essays - Autobiography of Malcolm X

    957 Words  | 2 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Malcolm X Thesis Paper

    1375 Words  | 3 Pages

    The history of the United States has in it much separation or segregation due to race. For a long time our country has seen racism as a large problem and this has caused ethnic groups to be looked down upon and forced into a lifestyle of difficulties and suppression. Due to this, races, particularly African-Americans, have been forced to deal with unequal opportunity and poverty, leading to less honorable ways of getting by and also organizations that support change. Malcolm X is one strong example of an African American man who became apart of a group acted against it, uniting people to promote the advancement of colored people and change. Malcolm's thoughts towards race and civil right in the previous years were displayed in a less way to the people and "by any means necessary" perspective. After his pilgrimage in 1964 his view of civil rights had quickly changed into a more complete view of civil rights, and the peoples views towards him. No one really knows what kind of impact Malcolm X would have had on history if he had not been assassinated. His beliefs and philosophy did gain him a place in history as one of the best-known Black Nationalist Leaders. Everyone seems to have known who Malcolm X was, and he ranks high with all other Black leaders. His ideas were radical and he was very out spoken. He was a major force in the development of black history. He fought not only for his people but also for all oppressed people everywhere. He was well spoken and he laid the groundwork for the black power movement of the late l960's.

    Read More

More about Malcolm X Biography

Open Document