Malcolm X
Early Life:
Malcolm Little, who would become Malcolm X, was born in May of 1925 in Omaha. His father was a civil rights activist, though was unfortunately killed, leading to X settling in Boston. X would soon be arrested and served seven years in prison, using the time to improve his education. It was there that X became a member of the Nation of Islam, a black Muslim organization. Through this organization X would begin his own civil rights campaign.
Activism:
X soon became a spokesperson for the Nation of Islam, and in a matter of 11 years, he had managed to increase the organization’s membership by 29,500 members. X soon became a prominent member in the Nation of Islam, but in 1964 he withdrew from the organization, after having a disagreement with the Nation of Islam leader, Elijah Muhammad. In ‘64, X made a pilgrimage to Mecca, and it was there that he saw Muslims of all different races getting along, inspiring his future activist ideals.
Organization of Afro-American Unity:
After his pilgrimage, X created a new organization, entitled the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Delivering a speech in 1964 describing the organization’s purpose, X advocated for equal civil rights for blacks, to inspire blacks to counter violence and police brutality with violence, and to raise awareness of his organization. X differed from other civil rights leaders such as King, as he openly advocated for violence as a means to achieve equality. X would give numerous speeches in Harlem, New York, where certain streets are named after him.
After his pilgrimage, X created a new organization, entitled the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Delivering a speech in 1964 describing the organization’s purpose, X advocated for equal civil rights for blacks, to inspire blacks to counter violence and police brutality with violence, and to raise awareness of his organization. X differed from other civil rights leaders such as King, as he openly advocated for violence as a means to achieve equality. X would give numerous speeches in Harlem, New York, where certain streets are named after him.
Death and Influence:
Assassination attempts on X’s life soon came after the founding of his Organization on Afro-American Unity, by the Nation of Islam. In 1965, three gunmen, all whom were part of the Nation of Islam, attacked X, killing him. X is buried in New York, and his influence of civil rights is still felt today. His actions, though perhaps not as famous as King’s, still influenced the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, giving equal rights to all races. Without X’s influence, countless civil rights organizations would not be the way they were during the ‘60s, and possibly the Civil Rights Movement would have been less progressive.
Assassination attempts on X’s life soon came after the founding of his Organization on Afro-American Unity, by the Nation of Islam. In 1965, three gunmen, all whom were part of the Nation of Islam, attacked X, killing him. X is buried in New York, and his influence of civil rights is still felt today. His actions, though perhaps not as famous as King’s, still influenced the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, giving equal rights to all races. Without X’s influence, countless civil rights organizations would not be the way they were during the ‘60s, and possibly the Civil Rights Movement would have been less progressive.
Source:
http://malcolmx.com/biography/
I find it interesting that that the Nation of Islam would assassinate someone who was not only a former member, but was also advocating for Black civil rights. What could the disagreement between X and Elijah Muhammad been for them to assassinate X?
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting to see how Civil Rights activists took different approaches to the movement. While activists like King advocated for nonviolent protest, he took on a more aggressive solution, by using violence to counter violence and achieve equality. Both types of movements were successful in their own way, and different groups of people aspired to different leaders. Perhaps only through a combination, could Civil Rights Movement progress effectively.
ReplyDeleteGood post, it's interesting how Malcolm X's approach to civil rights contrasts with other activists like Martin Luther King Jr. Malcolm X actually belittled MLK, labeling him as an "Uncle Tom" for trying to reason with the white people. By the time of his death, however, Malcolm X reformed his beliefs on using violence to fight violence.
ReplyDeleteSource: https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/21/feb-21-1965-malcolm-x-is-assassinated-by-black-muslims/