Malcolm X
Often seen as the alternative to Martin Luther King‘s ideology, Malcolm X was a black nationalist also known for his temporary leadership in the Nation of Islam during the 1950‘s and 1960‘s. He influenced many Afro-Americans with his natural talent to hold motivational speeches and inspire people with his ideas of „black power“.
Life
Born in 1925 as Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, the later to be preaching about seperation of the White population got in contact with harsh and cruel racism very early on in his life: When he was only a child, his father was brutally murdered by White racists due to his active participation in the UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement). Shortly after, his mother was committed to a mental institution, traumatising Malcolm X‘s life harshly.
At age 15, he dropped out of school and moved to Boston, where he blundered into a life of drugs and crime. In 1946, when arrested for a crime he spent 10 years in jail where he deeply affiliated to the Nation of Islam, joining it during his prison term. He agreed strongly with its ideas of one seperate black state in which the Afro-Americans could achieve equality.
He was promoting the Nation of Islam so successfully that during his time of participation (1952-1964) after being released from prison, the number of members of the nationalist black power-movement had grown from 400 to approxiametly 40,000.
Malcolm left the Nation of Islam due to a conflict with its leader and personal mentor, Elijah Muhammad.
Malcolm X was assasinated at the age of 39, on February 21st, 1965, before delivering a speech in Manhatten. It is interesting to remark, that his murderers were not White racists (as in the case of Martin Luther Kings‘ murder) but all three members of the Nation of Islam.
Even though he had been promoting violence to achieve racial equality for most of his life, Malcolm had changed his views when he took a trip to Mecca and converted to traditional Islam. At his return to the U.S. he stated: „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“
Often, this turning point in Malcolm X's life was overlooked by critics which protraited him as solely bloodseeking and nationalist.
Life
Born in 1925 as Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, the later to be preaching about seperation of the White population got in contact with harsh and cruel racism very early on in his life: When he was only a child, his father was brutally murdered by White racists due to his active participation in the UNIA (Universal Negro Improvement). Shortly after, his mother was committed to a mental institution, traumatising Malcolm X‘s life harshly.
At age 15, he dropped out of school and moved to Boston, where he blundered into a life of drugs and crime. In 1946, when arrested for a crime he spent 10 years in jail where he deeply affiliated to the Nation of Islam, joining it during his prison term. He agreed strongly with its ideas of one seperate black state in which the Afro-Americans could achieve equality.
He was promoting the Nation of Islam so successfully that during his time of participation (1952-1964) after being released from prison, the number of members of the nationalist black power-movement had grown from 400 to approxiametly 40,000.
Malcolm left the Nation of Islam due to a conflict with its leader and personal mentor, Elijah Muhammad.
Malcolm X was assasinated at the age of 39, on February 21st, 1965, before delivering a speech in Manhatten. It is interesting to remark, that his murderers were not White racists (as in the case of Martin Luther Kings‘ murder) but all three members of the Nation of Islam.
Even though he had been promoting violence to achieve racial equality for most of his life, Malcolm had changed his views when he took a trip to Mecca and converted to traditional Islam. At his return to the U.S. he stated: „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“
Often, this turning point in Malcolm X's life was overlooked by critics which protraited him as solely bloodseeking and nationalist.
Here is a video, in which Malcolm X speaks to a reporter about the black rifle club. It's interesting to see his way of talking:
http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/malcolm-x
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. : a comparison Here the differences and similarites are displayed in a table in order to paint a clearer picture of Martin Luther King's and Malcolm X's positions. You can download the file as well. |
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malcolmx:mlk_tabelle_text.pages | |
File Size: | 142 kb |
File Type: | pages |
In the course of history, Malcolm X‘s reputation has been broken down to portray only his ideas of violence and black nationalism. But when we look closer, there are similarites of his opinions compared to Martin Luther King‘s, as explained above.
Also, it‘s worth mentioning that he was ready to make compromises and let Martin Luther King Jr., who was more popular and also a lot more successful, take over the lead of the movement.
In addition, his views and means to achieve said made him a greater aim of White hatred. The propaganda against the Civil Rights Movement of the time used Malcolm X‘s radical ideology to turn him into the representation of violence, terrorism (also added to the perception of Islam at the time) and maybe even the reason why White people shouldn‘t have supported equality back then.
But nevertheless, he established many improvements for the movement; especially for the confidance of the Afro-American population and the idea of „black power“.
Malcolm X inspired many people to take action instead of waiting for revolution to happen.
Also, it‘s worth mentioning that he was ready to make compromises and let Martin Luther King Jr., who was more popular and also a lot more successful, take over the lead of the movement.
In addition, his views and means to achieve said made him a greater aim of White hatred. The propaganda against the Civil Rights Movement of the time used Malcolm X‘s radical ideology to turn him into the representation of violence, terrorism (also added to the perception of Islam at the time) and maybe even the reason why White people shouldn‘t have supported equality back then.
But nevertheless, he established many improvements for the movement; especially for the confidance of the Afro-American population and the idea of „black power“.
Malcolm X inspired many people to take action instead of waiting for revolution to happen.
Sources: http://kwanzaaguide.com/2010/05/malcolm-x-and-martin-luther-king-the-motive-force-of-change-in-america/