Malcolm X

Malcolm X

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little in May of 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska.  His father was an advocate for black rights, and was a member and supporter of several pro- black groups and speakers. His father was found dead in 1931 under suspicious circumstances.

After his Father’s death, Malcolm moved to Boston where he turned to a life of crime and drugs.  He was arrested as a result of this lifestyle in 1946, and while I prison, converted to the Black Muslim faith and learned the teachings of Elijah Muhammad. 

When released in 1952, he moved to Chicago and met Elijah Muhammad who was the leader of the Nation of Islam sect. It was at this time in which he changed his name to Malcolm X (replacing ones last name with an X was common with Muhammad’s followers as they felt that their last names were simply names given by white slave owners).  Malcolm became a key figure in this sect, and became a minister for a New York mosque which he helped to establish.  Malcolm soon became interested in black power, as opposed to racial equality.

Malcolm X was expelled from the Nation of Islam Sect after he made some extremist speeches which insulted many subjects, including the assassination on JFK. Malcolm X took the as an opportunity to begin his own religious organization called the Organization of Afro-American Unity, where he now focused on world brotherhood instead of separatism, encouraging white-black relations.

Malcolm X was shot in Harlem at a party meeting on February 21^st, 1965 by three black Muslims who were members of the Nation of Islam.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmalcolmX.htm