Who was Malcolm X and what did he believe in?

Malcolm X was a prominent African American civil rights leader and a key figure in the Black Nationalist movement during the 1950s and 1960s. Born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, he experienced a tumultuous childhood, including the murder of his father, which many believe was committed by white supremacists. His mother was institutionalized due to mental health issues, and Malcolm ended up in foster care.

As a young adult, Malcolm engaged in various illegal activities and was eventually sentenced to prison in 1946. It was during his incarceration that he encountered the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI), which combined elements of Islam with black empowerment and nationalism. Malcolm converted to the NOI and, upon his release in 1952, quickly rose through its ranks, becoming one of its most influential leaders. He adopted the surname "X" to signify the loss of his African ancestral name and to reject the slave name "Little."

Malcolm X's beliefs were rooted in the idea that African Americans should be proud of their heritage and must establish their own society and economic systems to achieve true independence and equality. He was critical of the mainstream civil rights movement, led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr., for its emphasis on nonviolence and integration. Instead, Malcolm advocated for black self-defense and the establishment of separate social structures for African Americans. His rhetoric was fiery and uncompromising, which made him both a galvanizing figure for African Americans seeking empowerment and a controversial figure to the broader public.

In 1964, Malcolm X broke away from the NOI due to personal and ideological conflicts with Elijah Muhammad. He founded the Muslim Mosque, Inc. and the Organization of Afro-American Unity (OAAU), which aimed to connect the struggle of African Americans with those of people of African descent worldwide. During this period, Malcolm's views evolved, and he began to advocate for racial unity and cooperation, having been influenced by his pilgrimage to Mecca, where he saw Muslims of all races interacting as equals.

Malcolm X's life was tragically cut short when he was assassinated on February 21, 1965, in New York City, likely due to tensions with the NOI. His legacy is significant as he is remembered for his passionate advocacy for black empowerment, his influence on the Black Power movement, and his challenge to the civil rights movement to include a broader range of tactics in the fight for racial justice. His autobiography, as told to Alex Haley, remains an essential work for understanding his life and the broader struggle for civil rights in America.