1) Malcolm X. 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...

2)...and an avid supporter of Black Nationalist Marcus Garvey. Earl & his family were frequently harassed, threatened by the Klan & an associated group called the Black Legion.-MalcolmXLegacy.com Cont.

3) In 1929,Earl’s body was found lying across the trolley tracks in Lansing, Michigan. Police ruled the incident an accident. Louise was certain the Black Legion had killed Earl.Louise was committed to a mental institution.The children split up among foster homes & orphanages...

4)In 1946,Malcolm spent 7 years in prison for burglary. While there, Malcolm was visited frequently by his brother Reginald, who became a Muslim & belonged to the Nation of Islam (NOI).-MalcolmX.com Cont.

5) “Intrigued, Malcolm began to study the teachings of NOI leader, Elijah Muhammad. Muhammad taught that White society actively worked to keep African-Americans from empowering themselves & achieving political,economic & social success.” -MalcolmX.com

6) NOI envisioned a state of their own, separate from one inhabited by White people. Upon parole in 1952, Malcolm chose X to replace his last name, giving up the slave name of Little. The X signified his lost tribal African name. -MalcolmX.com Cont.

7) In the same respect, Malcolm X thought “ Christianity was the White man’s religion. It was forced on African Americans during the slave experience. Islam was closer to African roots & identity.” -USHistory.org

8)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 & there are no “Divine men.”- http://LitCharts.com  Cont.

9) Malcolm said: “I read, I saw, how the White man never has gone among the non-white people’s bearing the Cross in the true manner & spirit of Christ’s teachings-meek, humble & Christ-like.” Also, “Whites used Christianity’s message of “turn the other cheek”for their own gain...

10)...”forcing Christianity on African Americans, who are compelled to forgive the White man even as the White man takes everything from them, even their freedom.”Cont.

11)” 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.”- http://LitCharts.com 

12)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 & felt a more moderate approach of dialogue & peaceful protest was more likely to produce progress.LitCharts

13) Malcolm X was a rising star within The Nation of Islam. An “articulate, passionate & a naturally gifted & inspirational speaker, Malcolm X exhorted Blacks to cast off the shackles of racism “by any means necessary”, including violence. Cont.

14)He said “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.” Cont.

15) Nation of Islam grew from 400 members in 1952 to 40,000 members by 1960. -MalcolmXLegacy.com Cont.

16)In 1963, Malcolm X became deeply disillusioned & disappointed by his mentor & hero, Elijah Muhammad, who had violated many of his own teachings; including having many extramarital affairs & several children out of wedlock. Malcolm felt betrayed. Cont.

17) Elijah Muhammad felt Malcolm was insensitive in his comments when JFK was assasinated. Malcolm X wound up leaving Nation of Islam in 1964. It was a bitter break up. Cont.

18) That same year, Malcolm traveled to Mecca, Saudi Arabia; changed his name to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Malcolm returned to America less angry & more optimistic about a peaceful resolution to America’s race problems. Cont.

19)”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.” Cont.

20) Shortly afterwards, on Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X was assasinated by 3 members of the Nation of Islam. -MalcolmXLegacy.com He was shot 15 times at close range. Malcolm X was 39 years old.- http://MalcolmX.com  Cont.

21) Observations: The Nation of Islam( “Black Muslims”) is a U.S. creation. It contains a philosophy, set of values, & 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 Cont.

22) Conclusions: Malcolm X strived for equality that states “all men are created equal, regardless of race.” The religious aspects of Malcolm’s life were deeply intertwined with his Black Nationalism & pursuit of truth. Cont.

23)”Malcolm X will be remembered...by demonstrating the great lengths to which human beings will go to secure their freedom.” -MalcolmXLegacy.com Cont.

24) Malcolm X: “ I have more respect for a man who let’s me know where he stands; even if he’s wrong; than the one who comes up like an Angel & is nothing but a devil.”- Oxford Union Debate 12/3/1964./ Done