Term Paper on "Malcolm X Was a Black Nationalist"

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Considering the experiences that Malcolm had to go through as he was growing up, it comes of no surprise that he later became a famous activist for black people's rights and that he showed full commitment to promoting a better life for the black communities living in America. His childhood experiences and his hard time growing up are also the reasons behind his illegal activities as an adult.

In 1943, Malcolm moved to New York where he soon became involved in illegal activities of drug dealing, gambling, racketeering, robbery and prostitution. He was arrested in 1946 in Massachusetts for burglary and he was eventually sentenced to eight to ten years in prison. He began serving his time in Charlestown and he was nicknamed in prison "Satan" because of his hatred speech towards the Bible, God, and religion in general. This position he was defending was justified by the environment he lived in and by the experiences he had. This all changed once he began reading, developing quite an appetite for lecture, and when his brother Reginald began writing to him and describing the incredible experience he was having with the Nation of Islam. Malcolm decided to convert and he became increasingly interested in studying Islam and he soon was known for his devotement towards Islam. Despite his good behavior, he was not granted an early release because the authorities feared that his radical views would have a negative impact on society. He was eventually released in 1952.

During his time in prison, Malcolm has already established contact with the leader of the Nation of Islam, Elijah Muhammad, and so after his release he went to Chicago to meet Muhammad. It was after his release from prison and after he met the leader of Nation of Islam that Malcolm changed his surname to "X." "Malcolm explained the name by saying, "The 'X' is meant to symbolize the rejection of 'slave names' and the absence of an inherited African name to take its place. The 'X' is also the brand that many slaves received on their upper arm." His speeches soon drew the attention of the FBI, especially after he declared to be a communist. There was also intense speculation about the insanity of Malcolm X, as he was described by authorities as being asocial and paranoid.

Malcolm became the minister of the Nation of Islam's Temple Number Eleven in Boston and later he became the leader of the temple in Harlem, New York City. He managed to increase the number of members of the church and he gained notoriety after a series of reports were made about the Nation of Islam. He soon became a leading figure that was constantly asked for opinion stands on various issues. His dedication and fervor of speech promoted his as one of the leading figures of the Nation of Islam, in whose teachings he really believed. He was a strong supporter of the radical views of the organization and he spread his hatred towards white people, speaking of the superiority of the blacks. Malcolm X represented an important asset for the Nation of Islam as he managed through his personality and his speeches to reach out to the black communities in America and to radically increase the number of members. Malcolm X has also inspired the boxer later known as Muhammad Ali to join the Nation of Islam.

Malcolm X was married from 1958 at the time of his death and he had six daughters. His wife and his family were dedicated to the causes of the Nation of Islam and they were fervent followers. Malcolm continued to be a dedicated member of the Nation of Islam until 1964, when he left the group because of the differences that arose between him and Elijah Muhammad. He was disappointed to discover that the leader of Nation of Islam was not as dedicated and committed to the ideology of the group, as he discovered he has been committing adultery, which was clearly against the religious beliefs promoted by the Nation of Islam.

Malcolm X was besides a dedicated member of the Nation of Islam, a fervent and extremist critique of whites and the policies promoted by the government which favored the white population. He declared when asked about the assassination of President Kennedy that he was not sad and his declarations provoked immense revolt all over the country. He was immediately censured by the Nation of Islam, and although he later regained his minister position, he was forbidden to make any public statements. He eventually left the Nation of Islam on March 8, 1964 and founded the Muslim Mosque, Inc. His Muslim Mosque promoted black nationalism and although it was originally based on the teachings of the Nation of Islam, the Muslim Mosque expressed a lot more extremist views regarding the situation of the black population.

Malcolm X converted to orthodox Islam in 1964 and he decided to make his pilgrimage to Mecca, in April 1964. The pilgrimage to Mecca, which is the most important in the life of any real Muslim, changed the life of Malcolm. He realized that Islam can be seen as a religion that promotes racial equality after witnessing the interactions between Muslims of all races during his pilgrimage to Mecca. During this pilgrimage to Mecca and during his visits to other African and European countries Malcolm realized that his preaching up to that moment was not conform to the teachings of Islam and he announced in a very publicized letter that he was renouncing Black Islam and turning to traditional Islam and even changing his name. However, he is still known as Malcolm X

After his return from his journey, Malcolm became more involved in African-American activities that did not focus on religion. He began advocating for racial solidarity and for fighting against white racism, while renouncing the racist views against the white population. He realized that there are a number of changes that must be made for improving the life of African-Americans leaving in America and that these changes can be made without promoting even more hate. His position on the role of black people in the American society changed completely, as he began encouraging black participation in political activities and as he started promoting equality between all races. He even began promoting the idea that whites and blacks should work together in order to eliminate racial discrimination. He considered that racism was a problem for the humanity that must be solved through joined efforts.

The change of position from racist extremism towards whites to a more conciliating view represented a great shift for Malcolm and is the reason for which he is remembered as a representative voice for the civil rights movements in the 60s. The book published by Alex Haley was written after the change that produced in Malcolm X and so it reveals the pacifist views of Malcolm and his ideas that came in the support of making an effort to eliminate racism. This is why Malcolm X only began to be seen as an emblematic figure for the fight for equal rights between races only after the publication of his autobiography.

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