Malcolm X

Greg Warman

As a child, Malcolm X grew up with many siblings and was constantly moving due to threats from the KKK because his father was a Baptist Minister. He ended up being a foster child once his father was killed and his mother went insane.

As Malcolm grew older, he had dreams of becoming a lawyer, but when his favorite teacher told him it was, “No realistic goal for a nigger,” Malcolm lost all interest in school and turned to drugs, alcohol, and other narcotics. Eventually, Malcolm and his friend were convicted of burglary and he was sent to jail for 10 years.

While in prison, Malcolm began to follow Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm began writing to Elijah but never had any replies. Angry at this, Malcolm decided to enhance his literature to make his letters look better. He began copy down pages of the dictionary and began reading. All of his time spent on studying and reading made his prison time go by fast. Malcolm was truly devoted to the Nation of Islam and looked up to Elijah Muhammad as a second father.

When Malcolm was released on parole after spending seven years in jail, he pursued as a minister for the Nation of Islam. At this time, his entire life was devoted to the Nation of Islam.

Malcolm got involved in the Civil Rights Movement when policemen beat up Johnson Hinton for a trivial reason in Harlem. Malcolm led a group of about 50 Islam followers to the police precinct. This began his role in the Civil Rights Movement. He went on to deliver many speeches.

Like every other Civil Rights Activist, Malcolm X fought for the rights of African Americans and wanted to bring an end to racial hatred and discrimination in America. Malcolm wanted to use violence to obtain equality for all. He used the famous quote, “…By any means necessary.”

Finally, in 1964, Lyndon B. Johnson passed the CRA, Civil Rights Act, which granted the equality of all people. Then, on February 21, 1965 at Malcolm’s speech at the Manhattan Audubon Ballroom, three members of the Nation of Islam rushed onto the stage and shot Malcolm X 15 times. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Malcolm X played a big role in the Civil Rights Movement.