Malcolm X
WHO WAS MALCOLM X?
—African-American human rights activist
His views were a long way from the views of the Christian Martin Luther King
MALCOLM X - A BACKGROUND
A - His family were constantly harassed by white racists
B - He was deprived of his father who was probably murdered by white people
C - Coping with his mother who was losing her mind
D - Victim of white teachers talking down to him
E - Unable to get good educational opportunities
F - He mixed in criminal company
- His conversion to Islam transformed his life, however, it wasn’t to mainstream Islam that he gave his allegiance. It was the fringe sect known as the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims), and its leader Elijah Muhammad.
- Near the end of his life Malcolm X discarded the unorthodox ideas of the Black
Muslims and embraced the mainstream Sunni Muslim faith.
- However, the theories of the Black Muslims gave him a belief by which he could regain faith and respect both himself and his race.
- This is when he changed his name to Malcolm X
- Malcolm X was barred by Elijah Muhammad from making specifically political statements,
- Malcolm X saw Blacks as Africans and not Americans and there was little point in trying to integrate into a white society which was corrupt and racist.
- Instead of Kings‘American Dream’, Malcolm X saw an ‘American Nightmare’.
- Malcolm X rejected the idea of integration with the white community that King and others favoured – his belief was that the black development needed to be separate.
- Malcolm X believed that black people needed to work out their own salvation and did not need the assistance of friendly white people to do it.
—African-American human rights activist
His views were a long way from the views of the Christian Martin Luther King
MALCOLM X - A BACKGROUND
A - His family were constantly harassed by white racists
B - He was deprived of his father who was probably murdered by white people
C - Coping with his mother who was losing her mind
D - Victim of white teachers talking down to him
E - Unable to get good educational opportunities
F - He mixed in criminal company
- His conversion to Islam transformed his life, however, it wasn’t to mainstream Islam that he gave his allegiance. It was the fringe sect known as the Nation of Islam (Black Muslims), and its leader Elijah Muhammad.
- Near the end of his life Malcolm X discarded the unorthodox ideas of the Black
Muslims and embraced the mainstream Sunni Muslim faith.
- However, the theories of the Black Muslims gave him a belief by which he could regain faith and respect both himself and his race.
- This is when he changed his name to Malcolm X
- Malcolm X was barred by Elijah Muhammad from making specifically political statements,
- Malcolm X saw Blacks as Africans and not Americans and there was little point in trying to integrate into a white society which was corrupt and racist.
- Instead of Kings‘American Dream’, Malcolm X saw an ‘American Nightmare’.
- Malcolm X rejected the idea of integration with the white community that King and others favoured – his belief was that the black development needed to be separate.
- Malcolm X believed that black people needed to work out their own salvation and did not need the assistance of friendly white people to do it.
This clip is taken from the movie 'Malcolm X'. It stars actor Denzal Washington. This particular section portrays the character of Malcolm X extremely well.
- Malcolm X rejected the non-violent emphasis of the mainstream Civil Rights Movement, he saw defence against white aggression as a legitimate weapon and often said so.
- This made him a figure of suspicion with the whites and of Kings supporter’s.
- Malcolm X came to national prominence when he and the Black Muslims were the subject of a TV show ‘The Hate that
Produced’.
- Malcolm X drew attention to the urban ghettos and warned that if nothing was done, violence on a grand scale would erupt – and indeed it did but after his death.
- Malcolm X came to national prominence when he and the Black Muslims were the subject of a TV show ‘The Hate that Produced’.
- Malcolm X drew attention to the urban ghettos and warned that if nothing was done, violence on a grand scale would erupt – and indeed it did but after his death.
-Malcolm X’s most crucial comment came after the assassination of Kennedy – it was taken out of context but his description of the incident was ‘chickens coming home to roost’.
- Nation of Islam had given Malcolm X personal control he had given up crime, alcohol, and sexual immorality. He found that Elijah had not been living to these rules.
- MLK was becoming more militant and more disillusioned with white attitudes.
- This made him a figure of suspicion with the whites and of Kings supporter’s.
- Malcolm X came to national prominence when he and the Black Muslims were the subject of a TV show ‘The Hate that
Produced’.
- Malcolm X drew attention to the urban ghettos and warned that if nothing was done, violence on a grand scale would erupt – and indeed it did but after his death.
- Malcolm X came to national prominence when he and the Black Muslims were the subject of a TV show ‘The Hate that Produced’.
- Malcolm X drew attention to the urban ghettos and warned that if nothing was done, violence on a grand scale would erupt – and indeed it did but after his death.
-Malcolm X’s most crucial comment came after the assassination of Kennedy – it was taken out of context but his description of the incident was ‘chickens coming home to roost’.
- Nation of Islam had given Malcolm X personal control he had given up crime, alcohol, and sexual immorality. He found that Elijah had not been living to these rules.
- MLK was becoming more militant and more disillusioned with white attitudes.
Activity 1 (Focus Question)
1 - What were the similarities and differences between the beliefs of Malcolm X and Martin Luther King?
2 - What influence did Malcolm X have on the Civil Rights movement?
2 - What influence did Malcolm X have on the Civil Rights movement?