Malcom x essay

Malcolm X was, and still is, a well-known figure on whom a lot of works have been written about. He was a fighter for civil rights, as well as a man who was self educated in many ways. Malcolm X was a positive influence on the civil right movement because he had a major impact on the black community to mobilize against oppression by using extreme language and tactics. In 1925 Malcolm X was born. Malcolm was an intelligent, focused student but then when a favorite teacher told him his dream of becoming a lawyer was impossible he got discouraged and dropped out of school.

After dropping out he lived in many foster homes in Michigan. Later he moved to Boston where his sister lived. As a teen Malcolm X became involved in crimes in the streets such as gambling and selling drugs. With little education and no job, Malcolm X was easily led to this path. (Encyclopedia of World Biography) After committing many crimes, Malcolm X became one of the biggest gangsters in Boston. Later he went to prison for robbery. It was in prison where his life of destruction, violence and crime would deviate to a more righteous path.

In prison he learned and embraced Islam. After reading the Qu’ran, his life was altered. It was in prison, after his conversion, where he began to think of the fight for civil rights for African-Americans. His conversion to Islam led him to joining the Nation of Islam. The Nation of Islam was a black movement that embraced the teachings of Islam, while advocating against the cruel treatment African Americans went through from white people. Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad were the main figureheads of this organization.

Information and Entertainment Center) Essentially, it was Malcolm X’s speeches and the teachings of Elijah Muhammad that had the most profound effect on the civil rights movement coming from the Black Nationalist side of the movement. The Black Nationalism movement’s main religious support came from the Nation of Islam, which was founded in 1931. Elijah Muhammad led it with chief spokesmen, Malcolm X.

The Nation of Islam believed that all whites are devastation to the Earth and the best thing for black people was to separate themselves physically, psychologically, and culturally. Information and Entertainment Center) Malcolm X’s influence in the black community was another part of him being a great leader in the Civil Rights Movement. As Malcolm X is, as described earlier, a powerful speaker, he was also a powerful leader in the black community. Malcolm X really made a difference in the way that African-Americans fought for freedom not only though his messages of self-defense, but also through him encouraging the use of voting and elections. Malcolm X was all about making the voice of the Black people heard.

In the black community, “ Malcolm X made a great contribution in helping to clarify the relationship between reform and revolution, between solving problems through electoral action versus solving problems through retaliatory violence” (Brother Malcolm). Malcolm X’s influence in the black community was as much as his efforts in helping the black community. When he went to Africa and Saudi Arabia, he shifted gears from being more about Black Nationalism to being more about the equality and equal treatment of all men. Through this way of thinking, Malcolm X did not limit a positive influence on the black community only coming from other Blacks. Malcolm X opened the doors for all races, even white people to help the black community: Malcolm X announced that he planned to take the black struggle to an international audience by putting black people’s complaints against the United States before the United Nations (UN)…he sought aid from several African countries through the Organization of Afro-American Unity… he stated that his organizations were willing to work with other black organizations and with progressive white groups in the United States. Together, these organizations would work on voter registration, on black control of community public institutions such as schools and the police, and on other civil and political rights for black people. (Encyclopedia of World Biography) Not only was Malcolm X there for his community politically, but also as a general leader of the black community, he advocated for black people to stay away from drinking and other negative vices.

He encouraged black people to get an education and to take learning very seriously (Brother Malcolm). Malcolm X built schools and mosques in order to help educate African-Americans. His efforts in the black community not only affected the health of the community, but also it gave black people a completely new mindset that would help them in their struggle for civil rights and in their own lives as well. Malcolm X was the voice for the African American movement.

After Malcolm X found out that Elijah Muhammad was secretly having relations with as many as six women in the Nation of Islam in 1963 his faith was destroyed for the civil right movements. He felt betrayed and confused because of the teachings of Muhammad that said to stay celibate until marriage. (Encyclopedia of World Biography) Because of Muhammad betrayal, Malcolm now thought that this movement was fraudulent and corrupted. Later Muhammad “ silenced” Malcolm for ninety days because of his confession. In March 1964 he ended his relationship with the Nation of Islam. (Encyclopedia of World Biography) Malcolm X was a very good public speaker.

It was his voice, charisma, and confidence in front of audiences that really captivated the hearts of Black youth. The past of Malcolm X as a street hustler and his dynamic presence and way with words won the hearts of many African-Americans as he preached for self-defense against violence from white oppressors, financial independence and change in society (Brother Malcolm). He was very powerful in the African-American community.

Malcolm X spoke about the true issues in American society that other leaders were unwilling to talk about. His ability to speak about the issues that all of America knew was true, but did not have the courage to say set Malcolm X apart from many other activists and leaders of the civil rights movement. At one of his speeches, he captivated the audience full of whites and blacks because he was being truthful: “ The whole world thinks that America’s race problem is being solved, when actually the masses of Black people in America are still living in the slums… they [white people] do this skillfully to keep us trapped.

They know that as long as they keep us undereducated…

it’s impossible for us to compete with them in job openings (Malcolm X’s Final Speeches 60). ”

Works Cited PageClark, Steve. February 1965: The Final Speeches. Ed. Steve Clark. New York: Pathfinder P, 1992. Sellman, James C.

“ Black Nationalism Beliefs.” Information and Entertainment Center.  16 Nov. 2008 .

“ Malcolm X.” Malcolm X: A research Site. 06 April. 2010 . Malcolm X Biography.

” Encyclopedia of World Biography. 15 Apr. 2010 .