by Prof. George Monaco

Created on: June 28, 2008

"X" isn't really Malcolm's last name, and to get the meaning of the X, we should talk some about Malcolm. Malcolm X was one of the leading African American activists in the 1950s and 60s. He was a member of The Nation of Islam, and an outspoken critic of injustices against blacks. It was really bad in those times, in some places, they couldn't even vote!

Unlike the nonviolent protestors of the Civil Rights Movement, like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X encouraged African Americans to fight back against injustice. He identified himself as a black nationalist. He encouraged African Americans to learn about their history and their culture, and to be proud of their heritage.

His last name was originally Little, but Malcolm considered that a slave name, forced on his ancestors by white plantation owners. So he changed it to X. That was a major statement. Imagine if every African American in America rejected their last name!

Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska in 1925. His family was slit up once his father was killed, and he lived in foster homes for most of his childhood. As a teenager, Malcolm lived in Boston and New York, making a living as a small time criminal.

He was arrested for robbery at the age 20, and was sentenced to eight to ten years of prison. Prison was where he joined The Nation of Islam. The Nation of Islam wanted to start a black nation, with a separate government inside the United States. The Nation believed that whites wanted to keep blacks poor and powerless.

Many people argued that what the Nation preached was just reverse racism. The Nation of Islam had a big impact on Malcolm and emerged from prison a changed man. He met with Elijah Mohammad, the Nation's leader, and quickly became one of its most vocal speakers. He helped the organization spread nationwide, spreading its message of black pride and independence.

His fiery speeches captured the attention of the media, earning him the admiration of some, and the hatred of others. In 1964, Malcolm X went on a pilgrimage, or holy journey, to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia. All Muslims are supposed to make this journey to Mecca before they die. In Mecca he saw Muslims of all different races: Asian, black, Hispanic, and white.

As a result of his experience there, Malcolm publicly rejected the Nation's anti-white message. He had decided racism was racism, no matter whom it was against. So he formed his own secular activist group.

Soon after, in 1965, Malcolm X was assassinated during one of his speeches. Most people believe that they were agents of The Nation of Islam that had held a grudge against him. After he died, "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" was published and it became an instant best-seller. Malcolm X was able to reach more people through his book than when he was alive!

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