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Early years and conversion to Islam

Malcolm x and the nation of islam.

• Final years and legacy

What role did Malcolm X play in the emergence of the Black Power movement?

What was malcolm x’s early life like, when did malcolm x convert to islam, what was malcolm x’s relationship with the civil rights movement, how did malcolm x die.

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• Spartacus Educational - Biography of Malcolm X
• PBS - American Experience - Timeline of Malcolm X's Life
• National Park Service - Places of Malcolm X
• Stanford University - Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute - Malcolm X
• Muslims in Brooklyn - A Short History of Black American Islam
• Official Site of Malcolm X
• Malcolm X - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Malcolm X - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
• Table Of Contents

Malcolm X was one of the most significant figures within the American Black nationalist movement. Many of the ideas he articulated, like race pride and self-defense, became ideological mainstays of the Black Power movement that emerged in the 1960s and ’70s. He first rose to prominence in the late 1940s, as a member of the Nation of Islam , a religious organization that mixes elements of traditional Islam and Black nationalism. He continued his activism after leaving the Nation. His iconic status, if not solidified during his lifetime, was certainly achieved shortly after his death with the publication of the acclaimed The Autobiography of Malcolm X .

Malcolm X was born in 1925 as Malcolm Little. His father was killed while Malcolm was still very young, possibly by white supremacists . His mother was institutionalized for mental health issues, and the children of the family were dispersed among foster homes or the homes of relatives. Though an excellent student, Malcolm dropped out of school in the eighth grade because of the racial discrimination he faced from teachers. He was incarcerated in 1946 on charges of burglary. His time in prison would be an inflection point for the philosophical and political trajectory of his life.

After hearing about the Nation of Islam from his brother, who was already a member, Malcolm converted to the religion while serving prison time for burglary charges. Born in 20th-century America, the Nation combines elements from Black nationalism and traditional Islam. Malcolm X parted ways from the organization in 1964 and undertook the hajj —the traditional Islamic pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. It was then that he adopted Sunni Islam , along with the name el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz.

Malcolm X’s ideas were often at odds with the message of the civil rights movement . Martin Luther King, Jr. , for example, expounded nonviolent strategies such as civil disobedience and boycotting to achieve integration, while Malcolm advocated for armed self-defense and repudiated the message of integration as servile. But Malcolm X’s philosophy evolved. He pressed the Nation of Islam to involve itself more in the civil rights movement during his final years in the organization. He also renounced his previously held separatist views after converting to orthodox Islam, and he expressed a desire near the end of his life to work more closely with the civil rights movement.

Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem , New York. Three members of the Nation of Islam —the religious group to which he had once belonged—were convicted of his murder. (Two were exonerated in 2021.) Prior to this, hostilities between Malcolm and the Nation of Islam had been mounting, the former having begun to receive death threats from the latter.

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Malcolm X (born May 19, 1925, Omaha , Nebraska , U.S.—died February 21, 1965, New York , New York) was an African American leader and prominent figure in the Nation of Islam who articulated concepts of race pride and Black nationalism in the early 1960s. After his assassination , the widespread distribution of his life story— The Autobiography of Malcolm X (1965)—made him an ideological hero, especially among Black youth.

Born in Nebraska, while an infant Malcolm moved with his family to Lansing , Michigan. When Malcolm was six years old, his father, the Rev. Earl Little, a Baptist minister and former supporter of the early Black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey , died after being hit by a streetcar, quite possibly the victim of murder by whites. The surviving family was so poor that Malcolm’s mother, Louise Little, resorted to cooking dandelion greens from the street to feed her children. After she was committed to an insane asylum in 1939, Malcolm and his siblings were sent to foster homes or to live with family members.

Malcolm excelled in school, but after one of his eighth-grade teachers told him that he should become a carpenter instead of a lawyer, he lost interest and soon ended his formal education. As a rebellious youngster, Malcolm moved from the Michigan State Detention Home, a juvenile home in Mason, Michigan, to the Roxbury section of Boston to live with an older half sister, Ella, from his father’s first marriage. There he became involved in petty criminal activities in his teenage years. Known as “Detroit Red” for the reddish tinge in his hair, he developed into a street hustler, drug dealer, and leader of a gang of thieves in Roxbury and Harlem (in New York City).

While in prison for robbery from 1946 to 1952, he underwent a conversion that eventually led him to join the Nation of Islam , an African American movement that combined elements of Islam with Black nationalism . His decision to join the Nation also was influenced by discussions with his brother Reginald, who had become a member in Detroit and who was incarcerated with Malcolm in the Norfolk Prison Colony in Massachusetts in 1948. Malcolm quit smoking and gambling and refused to eat pork in keeping with the Nation’s dietary restrictions. In order to educate himself, he spent long hours reading books in the prison library, even memorizing a dictionary. He also sharpened his forensic skills by participating in debate classes. Following Nation tradition, he replaced his surname, “Little,” with an “X,” a custom among Nation of Islam followers who considered their family names to have originated with white slaveholders.

After his release from prison Malcolm helped to lead the Nation of Islam during the period of its greatest growth and influence. He met Elijah Muhammad in Chicago in 1952 and then began organizing temples for the Nation in New York, Philadelphia, and Boston and in cities in the South. He founded the Nation’s newspaper, Muhammad Speaks , which he printed in the basement of his home, and initiated the practice of requiring every male member of the Nation to sell an assigned number of newspapers on the street as a recruiting and fund-raising technique. He also articulated the Nation’s racial doctrines on the inherent evil of whites and the natural superiority of Blacks.

Malcolm rose rapidly to become the minister of Boston Temple No. 11, which he founded; he was later rewarded with the post of minister of Temple No. 7 in Harlem, the largest and most prestigious temple in the Nation after the Chicago headquarters. Recognizing his talent and ability, Elijah Muhammad, who had a special affection for Malcolm, named him the National Representative of the Nation of Islam, second in rank to Muhammad himself. Under Malcolm’s lieutenancy, the Nation claimed a membership of 500,000. The actual number of members fluctuated, however, and the influence of the organization, refracted through the public persona of Malcolm X, always greatly exceeded its size.

An articulate public speaker, a charismatic personality, and an indefatigable organizer, Malcolm X expressed the pent-up anger, frustration, and bitterness of African Americans during the major phase of the civil rights movement from 1955 to 1965. He preached on the streets of Harlem and spoke at major universities such as Harvard University and the University of Oxford . His keen intellect, incisive wit, and ardent radicalism made him a formidable critic of American society. He also criticized the mainstream civil rights movement, challenging Martin Luther King, Jr. ’s central notions of integration and nonviolence. Malcolm argued that more was at stake than the civil right to sit in a restaurant or even to vote—the most important issues were Black identity, integrity , and independence. In contrast to King’s strategy of nonviolence, civil disobedience , and redemptive suffering, Malcolm urged his followers to defend themselves “by any means necessary.” His biting critique of the “so-called Negro” provided the intellectual foundations for the Black Power and Black consciousness movements in the United States in the late 1960s and ’70s ( see Black nationalism ). Through the influence of the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X helped to change the terms used to refer to African Americans from “Negro” and “coloured” to “Black” and “Afro-American.”

Civil rights activist Malcolm X was a prominent leader in the Nation of Islam. Until his 1965 assassination, he vigorously supported Black nationalism.

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Quick Facts

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Malcolm X was a minister, civil rights activist , and prominent Black nationalist leader who served as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam during the 1950s and 1960s. Due largely to his efforts, the Nation of Islam grew from a mere 400 members at the time he was released from prison in 1952 to 40,000 members by 1960. A naturally gifted orator, Malcolm X exhorted Black people to cast off the shackles of racism “by any means necessary,” including violence. The fiery civil rights leader broke with the Nation of Islam shortly before his assassination in 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan, where he had been preparing to deliver a speech. He was 39 years old.

FULL NAME: Malcolm X (nee Malcolm Little) BORN: May 19, 1925 DIED: February 21, 1965 BIRTHPLACE: Omaha, Nebraska SPOUSE: Betty Shabazz (1958-1965) CHILDREN: Attilah, Quiblah, Lamumbah, Ilyasah, Malaak, and Malikah ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Taurus

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. He was the fourth of eight children born to Louise, a homemaker, and Earl Little, a preacher who was also an active member of the local chapter of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and avid supporter of Black nationalist leader Marcus Garvey .

Due to Earl Little’s civil rights activism, the family was subjected to frequent harassment from white supremacist groups including the Ku Klux Klan and one of its splinter factions, the Black Legion. In fact, Malcolm Little had his first encounter with racism before he was even born. “When my mother was pregnant with me, she told me later, ‘a party of hooded Ku Klux Klan riders galloped up to our home,’” Malcolm later remembered. “Brandishing their shotguns and rifles, they shouted for my father to come out.”

The harassment continued when Malcolm was 4 years old, and local Klan members smashed all of the family’s windows. To protect his family, Earl Little moved them from Omaha to Milwaukee in 1926 and then to Lansing, Michigan, in 1928.

However, the racism the family encountered in Lansing proved even greater than in Omaha. Shortly after the Littles moved in, a racist mob set their house on fire in 1929, and the town’s all-white emergency responders refused to do anything. “The white police and firemen came and stood around watching as the house burned to the ground,” Malcolm later remembered. Earl moved the family to East Lansing where he built a new home.

Two years later, in 1931, Earl’s dead body was discovered lying across the municipal streetcar tracks. Although the family believed Earl was murdered by white supremacists from whom he had received frequent death threats, the police officially ruled his death a streetcar accident, thereby voiding the large life insurance policy he had purchased in order to provide for his family in the event of his death.

Louise never recovered from the shock and grief over her husband’s death. In 1937, she was committed to a mental institution where she remained for the next 26 years. Malcolm and his siblings were separated and placed in foster homes.

In 1938, Malcolm was kicked out of West Junior High School and sent to a juvenile detention home in Mason, Michigan. The white couple who ran the home treated him well, but he wrote in his autobiography that he was treated more like a “pink poodle” or a “pet canary” than a human being.

He attended Mason High School where he was one of only a few Black students. He excelled academically and was well-liked by his classmates, who elected him class president.

A turning point in Malcolm’s childhood came in 1939 when his English teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up, and he answered that he wanted to be a lawyer. His teacher responded, “One of life’s first needs is for us to be realistic... you need to think of something you can be... why don’t you plan on carpentry?” Having been told in no uncertain terms that there was no point in a Black child pursuing education, Malcolm dropped out of school the following year, at the age of 15.

After quitting school, Malcolm moved to Boston to live with his older half-sister, Ella, about whom he later recalled: “She was the first really proud Black woman I had ever seen in my life. She was plainly proud of her very dark skin. This was unheard of among Negroes in those days.”

Ella landed Malcolm a job shining shoes at the Roseland Ballroom. However, out on his own on the streets of Boston, he became acquainted with the city’s criminal underground and soon turned to selling drugs.

He got another job as kitchen help on the Yankee Clipper train between New York and Boston and fell further into a life of drugs and crime. Sporting flamboyant pinstriped zoot suits, he frequented nightclubs and dance halls and turned more fully to crime to finance his lavish lifestyle.

In 1946, Malcolm was arrested on charges of larceny and sentenced to 10 years in prison. To pass the time during his incarceration, he read constantly, devouring books from the prison library in an attempt make up for the years of education he had missed by dropping out of high school.

Also while in prison, Malcolm was visited by several siblings who had joined the Nation of Islam, a small sect of Black Muslims who embraced the ideology of Black nationalism—the idea that in order to secure freedom, justice and equality, Black Americans needed to establish their own state entirely separate from white Americans.

He changed his name to Malcolm X and converted to the Nation of Islam before his release from prison in 1952 after six and a half years.

Now a free man, Malcolm X traveled to Detroit, where he worked with the leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad , to expand the movement’s following among Black Americans nationwide.

Malcolm X became the minister of Temple No. 7 in Harlem and Temple No. 11 in Boston, while also founding new temples in Hartford and Philadelphia. In 1960, he established a national newspaper called Muhammad Speaks in order to further promote the message of the Nation of Islam.

Articulate, passionate, and an inspirational orator, Malcolm X exhorted Black people 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,” he said. “There’s no such thing as a nonviolent revolution.”

His militant proposals—a violent revolution to establish an independent Black nation—won Malcolm X large numbers of followers as well as many fierce critics. Due primarily to the efforts of Malcolm X, the Nation of Islam grew from a mere 400 members at the time he was released from prison in 1952, to 40,000 members by 1960.

By the early 1960s, Malcolm X had emerged as a leading voice of a radicalized wing of the Civil Rights Movement, presenting a dramatic alternative to Martin Luther King Jr. ’s vision of a racially-integrated society achieved by peaceful means. King was critical of Malcolm’s methods but avoided directly calling out his more radical counterpart. Although very aware of each other and working to achieve the same goal, the two leaders met only once—and very briefly—on Capitol Hill when the U.S. Senate held a hearing about an anti-discrimination bill.

A rupture with Elijah Muhammad proved much more traumatic. In 1963, Malcolm X became deeply disillusioned when he learned that his hero and mentor had violated many of his own teachings, most flagrantly by carrying on many extramarital affairs. Muhammad had, in fact, fathered several children out of wedlock.

Malcolm’s feelings of betrayal, combined with Muhammad’s anger over Malcolm’s insensitive comments regarding the assassination of John F. Kennedy , led Malcolm X to leave the Nation of Islam in 1964.

That same year, Malcolm X embarked on an extended trip through North Africa and the Middle East. The journey proved to be both a political and spiritual turning point in his life. He learned to place America’s Civil Rights Movement within the context of a global anti-colonial struggle, embracing socialism and pan-Africanism.

Malcolm X also made the Hajj, the traditional Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, during which he converted to traditional Islam and again changed his name, this time to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz.

After his epiphany at Mecca, Malcolm X returned to the United States more optimistic about the prospects for 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,” he said. “America is the first country... that can actually have a bloodless revolution.”

Just as Malcolm X appeared to be embarking on an ideological transformation with the potential to dramatically alter the course of the Civil Rights Movement, he was assassinated .

On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X took the stage for a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan. He had just begun addressing the room when multiple men rushed the stage and began firing guns. Struck numerous times at close range, Malcolm X was declared dead after arriving at a nearby hospital. He was 39.

Three members of the Nation of Islam were tried and sentenced to life in prison for murdering the activist. In 2021, two of the men—Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam—were exonerated for Malcolm’s murder after spending decades behind bars. Both maintained their innocence but were still convicted in March 1966, alongside Mujahid Abdul Halim, who did confess to the murder. Aziz and Islam were released from prison in the mid-1980s, and Islam died in 2009. After the exoneration, they were awarded $36 million for their wrongful convictions.

In February 2023, Malcolm X’s family announced a wrongful death lawsuit against the New York Police Department, the FBI, the CIA, and other government entities in relation to the activist’s death. They claim the agencies concealed evidence and conspired to assassinate Malcolm X.

Malcolm X married Betty Shabazz in 1958. The couple had six daughters: Attilah, Quiblah, Lamumbah, Ilyasah, Malaak, and Malikah. Twins Malaak and Malikah were born after Malcolm died in 1965.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

In the early 1960s, Malcolm X began working with acclaimed author Alex Haley on an autobiography. The book details Malcolm X’s life experiences and his evolving views on racial pride, Black nationalism, and pan-Africanism.

The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published in 1965 after his assassination to near-universal praise. The New York Times called it a “brilliant, painful, important book,” and Time magazine listed it as one of the 10 most influential nonfiction books of the 20 th century.

Malcolm X has been the subject of numerous movies, stage plays, and other works and has been portrayed by actors like James Earl Jones , Morgan Freeman , and Mario Van Peebles.

In 1992, Spike Lee directed Denzel Washington in the title role of his movie Malcolm X . Both the film and Washington’s portrayal of Malcolm X received wide acclaim and were nominated for several awards, including two Academy Awards.

In the immediate aftermath of Malcolm X’s death, commentators largely ignored his recent spiritual and political transformation and criticized him as a violent rabble-rouser. But especially after the publication of The Autobiography of Malcolm X , he began to be remembered for underscoring the value of a truly free populace by demonstrating the great lengths to which human beings will go to secure their freedom.

“Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression,” he said. “Because power, real power, comes from our conviction which produces action, uncompromising action.”

• Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression because power, real power, comes from our conviction which produces action, uncompromising action.
• Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
• You don’t have a peaceful revolution. You don’t have a turn-the-cheek revolution. There’s no such thing as a nonviolent revolution.
• If you are not willing to pay the price for freedom, you don’t deserve freedom.
• We want freedom now, but we’re not going to get it saying “We Shall Overcome.” We’ve got to fight to overcome.
• I believe that it is a crime for anyone to teach a person who is being brutalized to continue to accept that brutality without doing something to defend himself.
• We are non-violent only with non-violent people—I’m non-violent as long as somebody else is non-violent—as soon as they get violent, they nullify my non-violence.
• Revolution is like a forest fire. It burns everything in its path. The people who are involved in a revolution don’t become a part of the system—they destroy the system, they change the system.
• If a man puts his arms around me voluntarily, that’s brotherhood, but if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that’s not brotherhood, that’s hypocrisy.
• You get freedom by letting your enemy know that you’ll do anything to get your freedom; then you’ll get it. It’s the only way you’ll get it.
• My father didn’t know his last name. My father got his last name from his grandfather, and his grandfather got it from his grandfather who got it from the slavemaster.
• To have once been a criminal is no disgrace. To remain a criminal is the disgrace. I formerly was a criminal. I formerly was in prison. I’m not ashamed of that.
• It’s going to be the ballot or the bullet.
• America is the first country... that can actually have a bloodless revolution.

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May 19, 1925 to February 21, 1965

As the nation’s most visible proponent of  Black Nationalism , Malcolm X’s challenge to the multiracial, nonviolent approach of Martin Luther King, Jr., helped set the tone for the ideological and tactical conflicts that took place within the black freedom struggle of the 1960s. Given Malcolm X’s abrasive criticism of King and his advocacy of racial separatism, it is not surprising that King rejected the occasional overtures from one of his fiercest critics. However, after Malcolm’s assassination in 1965, King wrote to his widow, Betty Shabazz: “While we did not always see eye to eye on methods to solve the race problem, I always had a deep affection for Malcolm and felt that he had the great ability to put his finger on the existence and root of the problem” (King, 26 February 1965).

Malcolm Little was born to Louise and Earl Little in Omaha, Nebraska, on 19 May 1925. His father died when he was six years old—the victim, he believed, of a white racist group. Following his father’s death, Malcolm recalled, “Some kind of psychological deterioration hit our family circle and began to eat away our pride” (Malcolm X,  Autobiography , 14). By the end of the 1930s Malcolm’s mother had been institutionalized, and he became a ward of the court to be raised by white guardians in various reform schools and foster homes.

Malcolm joined the Nation of Islam (NOI) while serving a prison term in Massachusetts on burglary charges. Shortly after his release in 1952, he moved to Chicago and became a minister under Elijah Muhammad, abandoning his “slave name,” and becoming Malcolm X (Malcolm X, “We Are Rising”). By the late 1950s, Malcolm had become the NOI’s leading spokesman.

Although Malcolm rejected King’s message of  nonviolence , he respected King as a “fellow-leader of our people,” sending King NOI articles as early as 1957 and inviting him to participate in mass meetings throughout the early 1960s ( Papers  5:491 ). Although Malcolm was particularly interested that King hear Elijah Muhammad’s message, he also sought to create an open forum for black leaders to explore solutions to the “race problem” (Malcolm X, 31 July 1963). King never accepted Malcolm’s invitations, however, leaving communication with him to his secretary, Maude  Ballou .

Despite his repeated overtures to King, Malcolm did not refrain from criticizing him publicly. “The only revolution in which the goal is loving your enemy,” Malcolm told an audience in 1963, “is the Negro revolution … That’s no revolution” (Malcolm X, “Message to the Grassroots,” 9).

In the spring of 1964, Malcolm broke away from the NOI and made a pilgrimage to Mecca. When he returned he began following a course that paralleled King’s—combining religious leadership and political action. Although King told reporters that Malcolm’s separation from Elijah Muhammad “holds no particular significance to the present civil rights efforts,” he argued that if “tangible gains are not made soon all across the country, we must honestly face the prospect that some Negroes might be tempted to accept some oblique path [such] as that Malcolm X proposes” (King, 16 March 1964).

Ten days later, during the Senate debate on the  Civil Rights Act of 1964 , King and Malcolm met for the first and only time. After holding a press conference in the Capitol on the proceedings, King encountered Malcolm in the hallway. As King recalled in a 3 April letter, “At the end of the conference, he came and spoke to me, and I readily shook his hand.” King defended shaking the hand of an adversary by saying that “my position is that of kindness and reconciliation” (King, 3 April 1965).

Malcolm’s primary concern during the remainder of 1964 was to establish ties with the black activists he saw as more militant than King. He met with a number of workers from the  Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee  (SNCC), including SNCC chairman John  Lewis  and Mississippi organizer Fannie Lou  Hamer . Malcolm saw his newly created Organization of African American Unity (OAAU) as a potential source of ideological guidance for the more militant veterans of the southern civil rights movement. At the same time, he looked to the southern struggle for inspiration in his effort to revitalize the Black Nationalist movement.

In January 1965, he revealed in an interview that the OAAU would “support fully and without compromise any action by any group that is designed to get meaningful immediate results” (Malcolm X,  Two Speeches , 31). Malcolm urged civil rights groups to unite, telling a gathering at a symposium sponsored by the  Congress of Racial Equality : “We want freedom now, but we’re not going to get it saying ‘We Shall Overcome.’ We've got to fight to overcome” (Malcolm X,  Malcolm X Speaks , 38).

In early 1965, while King was jailed in Selma, Alabama, Malcolm traveled to Selma, where he had a private meeting with Coretta Scott  King . “I didn’t come to Selma to make his job difficult,” he assured Coretta. “I really did come thinking that I could make it easier. If the white people realize what the alternative is, perhaps they will be more willing to hear Dr. King” (Scott King, 256).

On 21 February 1965, just a few weeks after his visit to Selma, Malcolm X was assassinated. King called his murder a “great tragedy” and expressed his regret that it “occurred at a time when Malcolm X was … moving toward a greater understanding of the nonviolent movement” (King, 24 February 1965). He asserted that Malcolm’s murder deprived “the world of a potentially great leader” (King, “The Nightmare of Violence”). Malcolm’s death signaled the beginning of bitter battles involving proponents of the ideological alternatives the two men represented.

Maude L. Ballou to Malcolm X, 1 February 1957, in  Papers  4:117 .

Goldman, Death and Life of Malcolm X , 1973.

King, “The Nightmare of Violence,”  New York Amsterdam News , 13 March 1965.

King, Press conference on Malcolm X’s assassination, 24 February 1965,  MLKJP-GAMK .

King, Statement on Malcolm X’s break with Elijah Muhammad, 16 March 1964,  MCMLK-RWWL .

King to Abram Eisenman, 3 April 1964,  MLKJP-GAMK .

King to Shabazz, 26 February 1965,  MCMLK-RWWL .

(Scott) King,  My Life with Martin Luther King, Jr. , 1969.

Malcolm X, Interview by Harry Ring over Station WBAI-FM in New York, in  Two Speeches by Malcolm X , 1965.

Malcolm X, “Message to the Grassroots,”  in Malcolm X Speaks , ed. George Breitman, 1965.

Malcolm X, “We Are Rising From the Dead Since We Heard Messenger Muhammad Speak,”  Pittsburgh Courier , 15 December 1956.

Malcolm X to King, 21 July 1960, in  Papers  5:491 .

Malcolm X to King, 31 July 1963, 

Malcolm X with Haley,  Autobiography of Malcolm X , 1965.

Historical Material

Maude L. Ballou to Malcolm X

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Malcolm X remains a seminal figure in American history, known for his impassioned advocacy for black rights and his critique of systemic racism. Essays could delve into Malcolm X’s life, exploring his formative years, his conversion to Islam, and his involvement with the Nation of Islam. Discussions might extend to his ideological evolution, his break with the Nation of Islam, and his subsequent embrace of a more inclusive form of activism prior to his assassination. Analyzing his speeches, writings, and the legacy of his ideas could provide a deeper understanding of his enduring influence on civil rights and black consciousness movements. The discourse may also touch on the contrasts and interactions between Malcolm X and other civil rights leaders of his time, and how his legacy continues to resonate in contemporary dialogues surrounding race, identity, and social justice. A vast selection of complimentary essay illustrations pertaining to Malcolm X you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

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Ragtime portrays a world that is chock full of injustices, whether its been racial or xenophobic. Racial tensions are at an all time high during the progressive era, between the years 1900-1917. These changes were needed to adapt a society full of white supremacy. Poll taxes, literacy tests, and grandfather clauses were all used to keep blacks out of politics. Booker T. Washington was not a fictional person like Coalhouse Walker and had a large political following during this era. […]

What was Malcolm X Famous For?

Malcolm x was born May 19 1925 in Omaha Nebraska. His parents name was Louise Norton Little and Earl little. Malcolm's father was an outspoken baptist minister. X's father's civil rights movements promoted death threats from the white supremacist organization . Witch caused them to have to relocate there home twice before his fourth birthday . In there year of 1929 there Lansing , Michigan house was burned to ashes. Two years afterward Malcolm's family got news that there father's […]

About Malcolm Alexander

Malcolm Alexander was freed 38 years after being wrongly convicted of rape on january 30th. Malcolm was accused of rape of a 39-year-old woman who was managing an antique shop in Jefferson Parish. The woman told the authorities her attacker raped her twice in a bathroom while holding a gun to her head. She then identified Malcolm on March 24, 1980. After looking through hundreds of photos and five photographic lineups she tentatively identified Alexander. The woman still wasn't sure […]

Who was Malcolm X?

Malcolm X was born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska. His father, a Baptist minister, was an outspoken follower of Marcus Garvey (1887-1940), the black nationalist leader. (A nationalist is a person who promotes one nation's culture and interests over all others.) Garvey supported a "back-to-Africa" movement for African Americans. During Malcolm's early years, his family moved several times because of racism (dislike and poor treatment of people based on their race). They moved from Omaha, Nebraska, […]

Malcolm X. Deeper: into his Autobiography

As Everyone knows, racial discrimination in the U.S. has always existed. Many races were discriminated against, but one of them suffered more unjust treatment than others; yes I am talking about African-Americans. This group of people was seen as “the worst”, were treated badly and taken as slaves, just because of their skin color. They were looked down on, separated from the rest, and even lynched at many unfortunate occasions. One of the most cruel group to go against African-Americans […]

Roles of Civil Rights Advocates

Throughout the Civil Rights Movement during1954-1968, there were many people who fought for civil rights for African Americans and many activists who brought attention to the movement. There were many activists who rose and created change for African Americans. Some activists who brought attention to the movement had many different roles and approaches in the Civil Rights Movement. Activists like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Stokely Carmichael were very influential activists who had very different tactics to achieve […]

Was Martin Luther King Jr’s or Malcolm X’s Doctrines a Better Course of Action for African Americans?

To decide this simple yet very complexed question we shall discuss each man and their thoughts and ideas. While both men fought and paved the way for civil rights not just for themselves but for generations to come they each had different ways of doing so. Although which of them had a more effective way of doing so is still undecided. Looking at the supporting evidence in this essay will help us make that decision. They had similar beliefs in […]

Malcolm X and Islam

Moreover, the chapter then discusses Malcolm X. Malcolm X represents the Islam tradition and the principle of peace or defense. They first begin by telling some key differences between Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. One of these differences include their upbringing, Malcolm Little was born to a family and tossed into mayhem when his dad was murdered, his mom was placed in a psychological establishment and he and his siblings were separated among various temporary families and orphanages. […]

The Enigma Unveiled: Exploring the Assassination of Malcolm X

In the tumultuous landscape of civil rights activism during the mid-20th century, the name Malcolm X stands as a symbol of unwavering advocacy and unyielding defiance. Yet, on a fateful day in 1965, this luminary figure was silenced by an act that sent shockwaves through the pages of history—the assassination of Malcolm X. Unraveling the layers of this complex narrative requires a journey into the socio-political currents of the time, the evolution of Malcolm X's ideology, and the shadowy corridors […]

Revealing the Truth: Crucial Details Regarding Malcolm X

The name Malcolm X is connected with the fight for civil rights and the empowerment of African Americans, resonating throughout American history. His life and legacy have been the focus of much research and debate since he was born Malcolm Little. This article explores Malcolm X's early life, metamorphosis, activism, and the lasting effects he had on society in an effort to provide the essential details about him. Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on May 19, 1925. His […]

US Police Brutality and African Americans

Police brutality is a major issue in the United States, with its target against African Americans being a longstanding problem. The history of police brutality closely relates to racism and discrimination in America. Many factors, such as institutional racism, poverty, education, and even the drug war, contribute to this issue. With these factors combined, there is an increased risk of violence from law enforcement officials toward African Americans. According to Schwartz and Jahn (2020), African Americans are three times more […]

“The Ballot or the Bullet” a Summary of Malcolm X’s Speech

The Call for Empowerment: "The Ballot or the Bullet" Summary Throughout the nation's history, there has always been a rift between races. White males have always felt superior to African Americans and, therefore, have been enslaving them. This was one of the lowest points in history, but the country and its leaders have done a good job to diminish inequality and build upon the nation's civil rights issues. As of today, there are no outstanding civil rights leaders, but at […]

The Leader of the Afro-American Unity

Malcolm X Little was born on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. His death date was in February 21, 1965, he died in New York. Malcolm Little when he was a child he was not the oldest, nor the youngest. Malcolm was actually the middle child fourth child out of 8. He was the smartest child out of all. The school we went to get his education was West Junior High School. His father tried to help his african american […]

Civil Rights Leaders

Malcom X and Dr. Martin Luther King were two of the most influential and inspiring leaders during the Civil Rights Movement. Both leaders had methods used to inspire followers, major key events, and strong effects on both religion and political views regarding war. The leader had their own unique way in changing history as we know it, but both had a similar goal in mind. Even though both had a similar goal one had a larger effect on Civil rights […]

Religion and Social Commitment

Religion and social commitment are the point at which somebody's religious convictions or developments of their faith on the world has an effect or a potential effect on their social success. Also, the job that religion should play in the public arena is to help shape the character of an individual and form social activity. It ought to deliver the feeling of social incentive in the psyche of individuals. My religious beliefs have affected my social engagement tremendously. For instance, […]

Civil Rights Movement Debate: American Culture and Ideas

The civil rights movement lasted roughly a decade and was a tremendous struggle that took place for African Americans to receive the same constitutional and legal rights that other Americans already enjoyed. This was a time where many white people truly believed they were a superior race and acted out violently towards African Americans simply due to the color of their skin. A period where black people dealt with discrimination, violence and prejudice against them at an alarming rate. Something […]

The Assassination of Malcolm X: a Tragic End to a Revolutionary Life

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little and later known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was a big deal in the Civil Rights Movement. His life got cut short tragically on February 21, 1965. His assassination marked the end of a life dedicated to fighting for African American rights and left a big mark on history. The circumstances around his death are complicated, involving personal changes, clashes in ideas, and political games. Malcolm X's journey from a troubled kid to a leading voice […]

The Assassination of Malcolm X: Unraveling the Truth Behind his Death

The day Malcolm X got shot at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, New York, it shook up the whole civil rights scene in America. This happened on February 21, 1965, and left everyone asking who did it and why. To really understand what went down, you gotta dive into the mix of politics, society, and personal clashes that filled Malcolm X's life and work. Malcolm X, originally Malcolm Little, was a big name in the civil rights game, speaking out […]

The Impactful Life of Earl Little: Shaping Malcolm X’s Vision

Earl Little father of the renowned Malcolm X was pivotal in shaping the early life and ideologies of his son one of America's most influential figures. Despite his life being tragically cut short Earl Little's dedication to civil rights and racial equality significantly influenced Malcolm X’s trajectory and the broader fight for justice. Born in Reynolds Georgia in 1890 Earl Little became an ardent follower of Marcus Garvey the eminent Jamaican activist who promoted black nationalism and advocated for the […]

Malcolm X: Height and Presence

Malcolm X a towering figure in American history stood tall at about 6 feet 3 inches. But his influence went far beyond his impressive height—it was his powerful voice sharp mind and fierce dedication to justice that made him such a monumental figure in the civil rights movement. Born Malcolm Little in 1925 in Omaha Nebraska Malcolm X faced tough challenges from the start. His father's suspicious death and his mother's institutionalization thrust him into a turbulent childhood. Despite facing […]

Malcolm X: a Trailblazing Figure in Civil Rights

Malcolm X stands how the patient symbol of resistance against a pedigree injustice and marine lantern of plenary powers for African Americans, whose influence is reflected through history. Born Malcolm Small in 1925, he appeared, as visible voice during a disorderly era marked a segregation and institutionalized discrimination in America. Expressive from his contemporaries, what protects for integration, Malcolm X protected self-respect, self-defence, and confidence in own forces among black societies. His passionate calls for black pride and autonomy philosophized […]

Malcolm X: a Visionary of Black Empowerment and Social Change

If you dive into the history of the civil rights movement in the United States, it’s impossible to miss the sharp, compelling voice of Malcolm X. Known for his fiery speeches and a no-nonsense approach to the fight against systemic racism, Malcolm X carved a niche that still resonates in the corridors of social justice movements today. From his early days marked by adversity to his rise as a leader calling for radical change, Malcolm’s life story is not just […]

Malcolm X: the Birth and Legacy of a Civil Rights Icon

In the intricate mosaic of American history, there stands a figure whose journey intertwines with the nation's narrative of struggle and resilience—Malcolm X. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, his life story unfurls like an epic of perseverance and transformation, mirroring a country wrestling with its own paradoxes. From his earliest days, Malcolm's existence was marked by strife and injustice. The brutal murder of his father, Earl Little, a fervent supporter of Marcus Garvey's Back-to-Africa movement, […]

Charting the Legacy: Malcolm X’s Impactful Contributions

In the annals of history, few figures loom as large and enigmatic as Malcolm X. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, his journey from a troubled youth to becoming one of the most influential civil rights leaders of the 20th century is a testament to the transformative power of resilience and conviction. Charting the legacy of Malcolm X necessitates a multifaceted exploration of his impactful contributions, which reverberate through time, shaping conversations on race, justice, and empowerment. Malcolm X's […]

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How to Write an Essay About Malcolm X

Understanding malcolm x's life and legacy.

Before writing an essay about Malcolm X, it's important to understand his role in American history and the civil rights movement. Malcolm X was an African American leader and prominent figure in the Nation of Islam who articulated concepts of race pride and black nationalism in the 1950s and 1960s. Start your essay by providing a brief biography of Malcolm X, including his early life experiences, incarceration, conversion to Islam, and role as a spokesman for the Nation of Islam. Discuss his evolving views on civil rights, race relations, and black empowerment, leading to his break with the Nation of Islam and the formation of Muslim Mosque, Inc., and the Organization of Afro-American Unity. Understanding Malcolm X's complex personality, his controversial methods, and his significant impact on the civil rights movement is crucial for a comprehensive analysis.

Developing a Thesis Statement

A strong essay about Malcolm X should be centered around a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about Malcolm X. For instance, you might explore his influence on the civil rights movement, analyze his philosophical and ideological evolution, or assess his legacy in contemporary discussions on race and justice. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and provide a structured approach to your topic.

Gathering Supporting Evidence

To support your thesis, gather evidence from a variety of sources, including Malcolm X's speeches and writings, biographies, historical texts, and scholarly articles. This might include quotes from his speeches, analysis of his autobiographical work, or perspectives from other civil rights leaders and historians. Use this evidence to support your thesis and build a persuasive argument. Remember to address different perspectives and consider how Malcolm X's legacy has been viewed over time.

Analyzing Malcolm X's Contributions and Ideology

Dedicate a section of your essay to analyzing Malcolm X's contributions to the civil rights movement and his ideology. Discuss the impact of his advocacy for black empowerment, his critique of the civil rights movement's integrationist goals, and his later advocacy for human rights and global solidarity among oppressed peoples. Explore the complexities and contradictions in his ideology and how his views evolved over time, particularly after his pilgrimage to Mecca.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points of your discussion and restating your thesis in light of the evidence provided. Your conclusion should tie together your analysis and emphasize the significance of Malcolm X's life and work in the context of American history and the ongoing struggle for racial justice. You might also want to reflect on Malcolm X's relevance to current social and political movements.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, review and refine it for clarity and coherence. Ensure that your arguments are well-structured and supported by evidence. Check for grammatical accuracy and ensure that your essay flows logically from one point to the next. Consider seeking feedback from peers, educators, or experts in American history to further improve your essay. A well-written essay on Malcolm X will not only demonstrate your understanding of his life and legacy but also your ability to engage critically with historical figures and their impact.

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115 Malcolm X Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best malcolm x topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 most interesting malcolm x topics to write about, ⭐ good research topics about malcolm x, 👍 simple & easy malcolm x essay titles, ❓ malcolm x research questions.

• Malcolm X’s “Ballot or the Bullet” Speech The speech was powerful and motivational, with the speaker masterfully using the rhetorical devices of ethos, pathos, and logos to appeal to his audience.
• The Speech “Message to the Grassroots” by Malcolm X When Malcolm refers to black people as a big family and when he constantly repeats the word “common” in regards to the white man as the common enemy, he makes the audience experience a feeling […]
• Martin Luther King Jr.’s and Malcolm X’s Leadership Styles Thesis: Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were both charismatic leaders, but the latter was more of a transformational leader as well because of his idealistic views and his ability to inspire his followers to […]
• “A Homemade Education” Book by Malcolm X After the release, Malcolm had the tools he needed to change his life and the lives of many others in America.
• Malcolm X’s “Learning to Read” During Imprisonment The mind of an imprisoned person will want to free itself in spite of the fact that it is tightly coupled to the body of the person.
• The Civil Rights Movement: Martin King and Malcolm X’s Views King also stressed that the major concepts he adopted were taken from the “Sermon on the Mount and the Gandhian method of nonviolent resistance”.
• Comparing MLK with Malcolm X Martin Luther King and Malcolm X were the two major leaders in the Civil Rights Movement of mid 20th century. Though Malcolm X did not live to achieve his goals, his followers were instrumental in […]
• Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass’ Comparison He was challenged in the area of writing and was incapacitated without the skill and ability to write letters to Mr. He was then to be imprisoned, and inside the four walls of the prison, […]
• Aspects of “Learning to Read” Essay by Malcolm X In the essay, he describes how learning to read gave him a new sense of purpose and self-esteem and transformed his life.
• Socio-Religious Philosophies of Malcolm X and King Malcolm X and King have similar socio-religious philosophies in terms of viewing the role of religion in freeing Black people from oppression.
• The Speeches by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X I want to thank you for this interesting and properly built discussion about how justice and the law are combined in the speeches by Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. The indefatigable aggressiveness of the […]
• “The Ballot or the Bullet” by Malcolm X and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by M. L. King According to the activist, the latter means allowing all people to live freely and without fear, segregation, violence, and the need to fight for their rights.
• Malcolm X: Galvanizing Change Through Speech Malcolm X is remembered as a literary genius, and “The Ballot or the Ballot” is his greatest oratory achievement. In conclusion, in 1964, Malcolm X made the landmark “The Ballot or the Bullet” speech expressing […]
• Malcolm X and His Second Conversion However, Malcolm would never have the opportunity to fully evolve his new worldview, as he was shot and killed in 1965.
• Malcolm X: The Idea of Black Supremacy Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X had an arduous relationship at the beginning of the 1960s due to the rumors of the latter’s marriage, which was prohibited by the organization’s codex and doctrine.
• The Ballot or the Bullet Speech by Malcolm X Malcolm X’s philosophy is partially separatist in nature, but, at the same time, it is filled with the spirit of unity.
• Martin Luther King vs. Malcolm X as Civil Rights Leaders Martin Luther King addressed both black and white people, and his goal was to convince them of Jim Crow’s moral injustice and social discrimination.
• Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X Under the leadership of Martin Luther King, whom the activists chose as their representative and leader, they protested the arrest with a bus boycott that put a strain on the town’s economy.
• Malcolm X and Sherman Alexie In fact, Learning to Read is an account of Malcolm, his life as a prisoner showing how the dictionary contributed to his present position.
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X as Told to Alex Haley After Malcolm X has gained a huge popularity, as he thought, and was suspended from the Nation of Islam, the real fear for his own life attended him more often.
• Freedom: Malcolm X’s vs. Anna Quindlen’s Views However, in reality, we only have the freedom to think whatever we like, and only as long as we know that this freedom is restricted to thought only.
• Malcolm X: Life and Influence in History Upon release on Parole Malcolm becomes a model citizen and an active member of the Detroit temple of the Nation of Islam. Even after his parole, he remained very active in organizing his fellows and […]
• Malcolm X’s “Ballot or Bullet” Speech: An Analysis There is nothing ethical in Malcolm’s urgings in his overt and covert ‘call to arms’ though he cleverly covers up by giving a choice of either using the ‘Ballot’ or the ‘Bullet’ when he actually […]
• Malcolm X Warns, “It Shall Be The Ballot or The Bullet” Near the beginning of his speech, Malcolm X said: The first step for those of us who believe in the philosophy of Black Nationalism is to realize that the problem begins right here.
• “The Ballot or the Bullet“ the Speech by Malcolm X Malcolm X’s speech “The Ballot or the Bullet” is focused on several themes important for describing the experiences of many African Americans in the sixties.
• Martin Luther King and Malcolm X: Who Is Closer to Success? Martin Luther King Jr.and Malcolm X are remembered for their outstanding fight for civil rights in the United States at a time when the black community faced oppression and inequality in different ways.
• “Malcolm X” (1992) by Spike Lee The movie tells the story of Malcolm Little, also known as Malcolm X, – the Afro-American spiritual leader and a fighter for human rights who lived in the USA in the 1960s. Washington’s talent is […]
• Islam and Racism: Malcolm X’s Letter From Mecca Malcolm’s experience of the pilgrimage has made him believe that real unity and understanding actually can exist between people regardless of their country of birth, the color of skin, or the language they speak.
• John Locke’s vs. Malcolm X’s Political Philosophy In the context of Malcolm X’s view, the American war for independence underpins the notion that American society awaits another fight for the liberation of the black community.
• Emotional Scene in the “Malcolm X” Film The most powerful part of the film was when Malcolm X started his ‘Nation of Islam’ campaign in the streets of the ghetto.
• King Jr. and Malcolm X in African American History Malcolm was able to sell his ideas to the African Americans in various meetings in the streets of Harlem and in major universities across the United States.
• Harrison Bergeron and Malcolm X as Revolutionaries Harrison was the man who was not afraid to stand up to the existing social order and makes some steps to achieve his major goal, which was to make all people free from burdens that […]
• The Activities of Malcolm X This desire elevated him to one of the highly influential African Americans in the long history of the United States and the black community in the country.
• Race Identity Evaluation in the Film “Malcolm X” Considering the points at which Omi’s work crosses the plot of the movie and marking the differences between the two, one can track the slightest implementations of racism in the modern American society, which is […]
• Film Studies: “Malcolm X” But in doings so he earned the wrath of the very people with whom he worked and was assassinated while he was crusading for the cause of equality.
• Malcolm X’s Influence across the World Malcolm was fast and precise in his esteemed roles, and he utilized both the print and broadcast media to pass the NOI’s agenda across the American society.
• Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Comparison In the entire history of the United States, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King were the greatest advocators of freedom and civil rights. He believed that the whites were not to be allowed to misbehave […]
• Fight Against the Demonization in «Malcolm X» In light of critics’ remarks in the book “The mistakes of Malcolm X”, the director went beyond propaganda and told the story of a society changer. In this instance, the signifier refers to the negative […]
• Martin Luther King and Malcolm X Although Malcolm X did not favor violence, he had a strong objection on the subject of nonviolence philosophy on the blacks.
• The Autobiography of Malcolm X One of the greatest and most influential men that captured the attention of both his friends and enemies, and articulated the struggle, the hunger, and the credence of African-American in the early 1960s is none […]
• Critical Review: Malcolm X by Spike Lee In prison, Malcolm experienced an epiphany, a vision by Elijah Muhammed which aimed to make him understand his role and purpose in life, to promote the deliverance of the black man against the “devil’s curse”.
• The Black Arts Era: Contributions of Malcolm X & Martin Luther King Jr. The era was heralded by the establishment of the Black Arts Movement in Harlem in the decade of the 1960s. Many historians view this movement as the artistic arm of the Black Power movement, representing […]
• Reflection on Malcolm X This is reflected in the speech Malcolm X delivered in a bid to unify the African Americans. In my view, Malcolm X was using these revolutions to spur the African Americans into action.
• Political Theories of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. The struggle reached a climax in the mid 1960s, and in the midst of it all were two charismatic and articulate leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr.and Malcolm X.
• Autobiography of Malcolm X Written by Alex Haley, a journalist by profession, The Autobiography of Malcolm X is a description of Malcolm’s life in a country dominated with racial discrimination, poverty, abuse of drugs, and crime.
• Malcolm X’s Legendary Speech: The Ballot or the Bullet
• Strategies and Goals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X During the Civil Rights Movements
• Malcolm X and His Goals in the Civil Rights Movement in America
• African American Literature: The Autobiography of Malcolm X
• Childhood and Young Adulthood of Malcolm X
• Black Nationalist Movement: Malcolm X
• Martin Luther King and Malcolm X – Two Views, One Cause
• Race and Gender Throughout Malcolm X’s Life
• Malcolm X’s and Black Separatism
• The Black Power Movements vs. The Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King vs. Malcolm X
• The Inspirations From the Life Story of Malcolm X
• Perfect Examples of Freedom Fighters: Martin Luther King, Jr. And Malcolm X
• The Civil Rights Strategies of Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King
• The Ideological and Spiritual Transformation of Malcolm X
• Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X: Vision for Equality and Freedom From Racism
• Religious and Social Visions of Malcolm X
• Malcolm X’s Legacy From the Ghetto to Activist
• Breaking Down the Symbolism in Malcolm X’s Life
• Early and Late View of Nation of Islam Leader Malcolm X
• Social Justice and Civil Equality: Martin Luther King and Malcolm X ​
• Icons for the Civil Rights Movement: Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X
• The Idea That All Men Are Created Equal: A Contradiction Study of Martin Luther King Jr. And Malcolm X
• Civil Disobedience and Various Approaches of Dr. Martin Luther King and Malcolm X
• Ritual Dimension: Malcolm X’s Hajj
• Contemporary Black Nationalism and Malcolm X
• Philosophies and Tactics of Dr. King and Malcolm X
• Life and Times of Malcolm X Essay
• Malcolm X: A Radical Vision for Civil Rights
• The Impact Malcolm X Had on the Civil Rights Movement
• Societal Structural Changes and the Influence of Malcolm X
• American Civil Rights Leaders: Martin Luther King and Malcolm X
• Malcolm X’s Knowledge and Liberation
• 1960’s Diary Entries Witness to the Assassination of Malcolm X
• Malcolm X’s Ideologies Before Mecca and Following
• Beyond Pan-Africanism: Garveyism, Malcolm X and the End of the Colonial Nation-State
• Civil Rights Leaders: Dr. Martin Luther King vs. Malcolm X
• The Life and Leadership of Malcolm X
• Malcolm X’s Life, Philosophy, and Accomplishments
• African American Leader: Malcolm X: A Man Who Changed American History
• The Life and Influence on the Black Civil Rights Movement of Malcolm X
• Who Is Malcolm X, and Why Is He Famous?
• What Was Malcolm X Best Known For?
• Who Died First, Malcolm X or Martin Luther King?
• Why Was Malcolm X Jailed?
• What Is a Good Thesis Statement for Malcolm X?
• Why Was Malcolm X Important?
• What Was the Purpose of Malcolm X’s Writing?
• What Was Malcolm X Known for Saying?
• What Did Malcolm X Symbolize?
• What Does Malcolm X Tell His Teacher He Wants to Be When He Grows Up?
• How Important Was Martin Luther King Compared to Malcolm X?
• How Martin Luther King Jr, Stokely Carmichael, and Malcolm X Fought for Black Power and Civil Rights?
• Was Martin Luther King Jr’s or Malcolm X’s Doctrines a Better Course of Action for African Americans?
• What Impact Did Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam Have on the Civil Rights Movement?
• What Do Martin Luther King, Jr. And Malcolm X Represent in America, World History, and Culture?
• What Short-Term Impact Did Malcolm X Have on the Black Civil Right Movement 1965-1968?
• What Would Have Happened if Malcolm X Had Not Been Assassinated?
• Why Black Activists Rejected Martin Luther King and Followed Malcolm X?
• Why Does Martin Luther King Have a Public Holiday but Not Malcolm X?
• Why the Life and Journey of Malcolm X Should Be Taught in School?
• How Did Malcolm X Overcome the Obstacles of His Early Life?
• What Did Malcolm X Do Almost to Get Killed by Archie?
• What Was Malcolm X’s Essential Attitude Toward the Issue of Education?
• What Happened to Malcolm X’s Historical Reputation Over Time?
• What Was Malcolm X’s Main Accomplishment?
• What Praises and Criticism Is There of Malcolm X?
• How Did Malcolm X Push for Equality?
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Malcolm X Essay | Essay on Malcolm X for Students and Children in English

February 13, 2024 by Prasanna

Malcolm X Essay:  Known in Black History for being a man who handled his business by any means necessary. When talking about the Civil Rights Movement, we can’t skip this name called Malcolm X. Malcolm was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist born as Malcolm Little on May 19 in Omaha, NE.

Throughout 2020, dozens of statues dedicated to slave traders and slave owners were pulled down. It was a startling reminder of just how deeply embedded the slave trade, and the racism, which followed in its wake are in our society. And yet, even in the most unassuming places, you can find stories of black power and civil rights. You need to know where to look.

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Long and Short Essays on Malcolm X for Students and Kids in English

We provide the student with essay samples on a long argumentative essay of 500 words and a short argumentative essay of 150 words on Malcolm X.

Long Essay on Malcolm X 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Malcolm X is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

On February 2, 1847, an escaped American slave named Frederick Douglass, one of the fathers of the civil rights movement, readied himself to deliver a scorching lecture about the evils of slavery to the people of this city. He would trade bread with poor white children in return for that “more valuable bread of knowledge.” Armed with the power of knowledge, Douglass strived to educate others. In 1845 Douglass published his first autobiography. This harrowing account detailed his resistance in the face of brutal oppression from men like Edward Covey. A renowned “slave breaker.”

Moreover, the celebrity status also had to put Douglass at risk, and news soon reached him that his former master wanted him back. He would trick other kids into teaching him. But they delivered more than needlework: they raised funds to buy Douglass’ freedom and establish his newspaper. He continued to educate the American public about the realities and horrors of slavery. Inspired by the life he led and the clarity of his rhetoric, Coventry’s people responded by helping to purchase his freedom. Throughout his youth, he did everything he could to steal an education from those who would withhold it from him.

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He uses to tell local children that he could write just as well as them, and when they refused to believe him, he would challenge them to write letters in the mud and sound out the appropriate noises. Over weeks and months and years, he stole an education letter by letter, word by word. It was that experience that ultimately led Douglass to Britain and Coventry. His autobiography’s publication made Douglass a modern celebrity and highlighted the suffering that he and other slaves experienced. He asked the women of Coventry and beyond to donate needlework to the anti-slavery bazaar in Boston to help fund his anti-slavery work. With his freedom at risk Douglass toured Britain and Ireland. In packed auditoriums in places like St. Mary’s Guild Hall in Coventry, he found an audience eager to listen to his story and support his cause.

One hundred twenty years after Douglass came to Coventry, a very different sort of American Civil Rights leader found himself in the small town of Smethwick near Birmingham’s city in England. Here Malcolm X was faced with the type of racism that was disturbingly similar to what he might have found in Birmingham, Alabama. He was born in Malcolm Little in May of 1925. Malcolm X has been exposed to the concept of pan-Africanism, thanks to his parents’ adherence to the ideas of the Jamaican-born activist Marcus Garvey. Growing up in Michigan, X would later describe how he internalized that time’s racism, changing his appearance and attitudes to be more widely accepted by his white peers.

Malcolm was a part of a big family with his parents Louise Norton Little and his father, a Baptist minister Earl little, a civil rights activist. His father was continuously protesting for the rights of other black people.

Short Essay on Malcolm X 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Malcolm X is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

Due to this continuous protesting, Malcolm X was killed and founded along the railroads. From there not being able to handle the mental stress, Malcolm’s mother had a mental breakdown, which forced all eight of her children to go to foster care and orphanages. He lost both father and mother. The only comforting thing is his friend Boston.

His conversion to the nation as a relatively new African-American reinterpretation of the Muslim belief system set him on a new path, reawakening his interest in the pan-African movement.

The racism that x found here was sadly all too familiar to so many black Americans like him. In 1964 Peter Griffiths, a Conservative MP, won a parliamentary seat for this region on the back of an openly racist campaign telling voters that if they wanted a black person for a neighbour that they should vote for Labour. During this time, Malcolm would go through a period of self-enlightenment, furthering his education and changing his religion to Islam and being a Muslim as a part of the Nation of Islam.

10 Lines on Malcolm X Essay in English

1. Malcolm X was a Minister and human-rights activist of African-American descent. 2. He was a prominent figure of the American civil rights movement, a political and social struggle by African 3. Americans to end racial segregation and discrimination that lasted more than a decade. 4. Malcolm X had a chaotic childhood because his family home was burned down by White Supremacists, and his father was also murdered. 5. He spent six-and-a-half years in prison due to multiple arrests and started his long interest in the Nation of Islam, a black self-reliance movement that aimed to return the African diaspore to their Motherland. 6. The “X” in Malcolm X stands for his unknown African Name/ Surname that he’d never know due to removed/ violated roots. 7. The FBI started maintaining a file on Malcolm X after he wrote a direct letter to President Harry Truman denouncing the Korean War while declaring himself as a Communist. 8. Muhammad Ali was inspired by Malcolm X to join the Nation of Islam. He primarily preached about Black Pride and the effective separation of the races. 9. He left the Nation of Islam after JFK’s assassination and had a significant change in his political views after v a pilgrimage to Mecca. 10. Malcolm X was Assassinated in 1965 by terrorists from the Nation of Islam.

FAQ’s on Malcolm X Essay

Question 1.  Why Malcolm X’s father was killed?

Answer:  His father was continuously protesting for the rights of other black people. So his father was killed.

Question 2. Where was Malcolm X born?

Answer:  He was born in Omaha, Nebraska.

Question 3. When was Malcolm X born?

Answer: He was born on May 19, 1925.

Question 4. How many people were born with Malcolm X?

Answer:  He was the 4th child of his parents among eight children in his family.

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