Malcolm+X

Malcolm X ::  Malcolm Little was born in Omaha, Nebraska on May 25, 1925. During his childhood, he took in his father's views on topics concerning black pride and self reliance. Before Malcolm had turned 15, he was placed in a juvenile home. This was a result of his father being runover and killed in a car accident, and his mother being placed in the State Mental Hospital of Kalamazoo. He lived in various foster homes throughout his life, until he moved to Boston in 1941to live with his half-sister Ella Collins, who was a strong and independent individual.



After Malcolm had moved to Boston he had many jobs, including dishwashing, shoeshining, and sometimes worked for the New Haven Railroad company. But most importantly, Malcolm had then been exposed to crime. Two years later, when he had turned 18 he moved to Harlem, New York. Less than a year later, he was found guilty of theft and was sentenced a three month suspended sentence and a year on probation. He then moved back to Boston. When his sentence was over, he returned back to Harlem. Another year later Malcolm was again convicted of theft, breaking and entering, and carrying a weapon. This time, he was sentenced eight to ten years in prison.

Elijah Muhammad

While Malcolm was in prison, he educated himself as best possible and read multiple books. He was so influenced by letters from Elijah Muhammad and some family members, that Malcolm decided to convert to the Nation of Islam. After being transferred to Norfolk Prison Colony, Massachusetts, Malcolm was released after only six years. He met with Elijah Muhammad, received his famous "x" on his name from the Nation of Islam, and moved to Chicago to live with Elijah in 1953. That same year, he became the Minister of the Nation of Islam's Temple Number 11, which was in Boston.



In 1958, Malcolm married Betty Sanders. They had four daughers Attalah, Qubilah, Llyasah, and Gamilah. After meeting Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1964, he broke away from the Nation of Islam and formed the Muslim Mosque, Inc., and later formed the Organization of Afro-American Unity. He began speaking the messages of black nationalism and integration.

media type="youtube" key="TO6Co8v2XjY" height="344" width="425" Malcolm X speaking about black nationalism.



On February 14, Malcolm X's house was firebombed early in the morning. And on February 21, 1965, Malcolm had just begun an address at the Audubon Ballroom when he was shot several times. He was pronounced dead on arrival to the hospital. The assassins were members of the Nation of Islam, and were arrested and convicted. Malcolm X was buried on February 27, in Hartsdale, New York, where over 20,000 people showed up for his funeral.