Born Malcolm Little on 5/19/1925. Son of an outspoken Baptist Minister, Earl Little. Malcolm had 7 siblings, mother Louise was a homemaker. Malcolm’s father was an active member of Universal Negro Improvement Association and an avid supporter of Black Nationalist leader Marcus Garvey. Earl and his family were frequently harassed, threatened by the Klan and an associated group called Black Legion. -malcolmxlegacy.com.
In 1929, Earl’s body was found lying across the trolley tracks in Lansing, Michigan. Police ruled the incident as an accident, but Louise was certain the Black Legion had killed Earl. Louise was committed to a mental institution. The children split up among various foster homes and orphanages.
In 1946, Malcolm spent 7 years in prison for burglary. While in prison, Malcolm was visited frequently by his brother Reginald, who became a muslim and belonged to the Nation of Islam (NOI).-malcolmx.com. “Intrigued, Malcolm began to study the teachings of NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad. Muhammad taught that white society actively worked to keep African-American’s from empowering themselves and achieving political, economic and social success.” -malcolmx.com. NOI envisioned a state of their own, separate from one inhabited by white people.
Upon parole in 1952, Malcolm chose X as his last name, giving up the slave name of Little. The X signified his lost tribal African name.-malcolmx.com.
In the same respect, Malcolm thought “Christianity was the White man’s religion. It was forced on African-Americans during the slave experience. Islam was closer to African roots and identity.”- ushistory.org. Religiously, what was Malcolm pursuing? “A religion in which everyone is equal under the one true G-d; in which there are no good or bad races and there are no “Divine Men.”- litcharts.com.
Malcolm X said: “I read, I saw, how the white man never has gone among the non-white peoples bearing the cross in the true manner and spirit of Christ’s teachings-meek, humble and Christ-like.” Also, “Whites used Christianity’s message of “turn the other cheek” for their own gain; forcing Christianity on African Americans, who are then compelled to forgive the White man even as the White man takes everything from them; even their freedom. Second, Malcolm preaches that Christianity conditions Black people to worship a blonde, blue-eyed G-d, which functions as a kind of psychological warfare upon Black people’s self-image.” -litcharts.com.
Malcolm’s preachings put him in conflict with many Christian Black leaders-including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was outraged by Malcolm’s slandering of Christianity and felt a more moderate approach of dialogue and peaceful protest was more likely to produce progress. -litcharts.com.
Malcolm X was rising to stardom within the Nation of Islam. An “articulate, passionate and a naturally gifted and inspirational speaker, Malcolm X exhorted Blacks to cast off the shackles of racism “by any means necessary”, including violence. “You don’t have a peaceful revolution, you don’t have a turn-the-cheek revolution. There’s no such thing as a non violent revolution.” …”His militant proposals-a violent revolution to establish an independent Black nation- won Malcolm X large numbers of followers as well as many critics.” Nation of Islam grew from 400 members in 1952 to 40,000 members by 1960.-malcolmxlegacy.com.
In 1963, Malcolm X became deeply disillusioned and disappointed by his mentor and hero, Elijah Muhammad, who had violated many of his own teachings; including having many extramarital affairs and several children out of wedlock. Malcolm felt betrayed. Elijah Muhammad felt Malcolm was insensitive in his comments when JFK was assassinated. Malcolm X wound up leaving Nation of Islam in 1964. It was a hostile break up.
That same year Malcolm traveled to Mecca, Saudi Arabia; changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Malcolm returned to America less angry and more optimistic about a peaceful resolution to America’s race problems. “The true brotherhood I had seen had influenced me to recognize that anger can blind human vision.”…”America is the first country that can actually have a bloodless revolution.” Shortly afterwards, on Feb. 21st, 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated by 3 members of the Nation of Islam. -malcolmxlegacy.com. He was shot 15 times at close range. Malcolm X was 39 years old. -malcolmx.com
Observations: The Nation of Islam (“Black Muslims”) is a U.S. Black creation. It contains a philosophy, set of values and practices that are specific to a U.S. Black context; not found in Sunni, Shia, Sufi or any other Islamic based religious group. -counterpunch.org. 9/29/15.
Conclusion: Malcolm X strived for equality that states: “All men are created equal, regardless of race.” The religious aspects of Malcolm’s life were heavily outwayed by the desire to pursue Black Nationalism and truth. “Malcolm X will be remembered…by demonstrating the great lengths to which human beings will go to secure their freedom. -malcolmxlegacy.com.
“I have more respect for a man who lets me know where he stands, even if he’s wrong, than the one who comes up like an angel, and is nothing but a devil.”- malcolmx.oxford union debate. 12/3/1964. / Done
