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Born Malcolm Little in Omaha Nebraska
Malcolm X was first known as Malcolm Little. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was seventh of eight siblings, raised by their parents, Earl Little and Louise Little. They were both followers of Marcus Garvey, a prominent black civil rights activist. Malcolm's father Earl was an outspoken Baptist minister loved by many, but no great man is loved by all. The Littles had to relocate two times before Malcolm's fourth birthday due to death threats from KKK members. -
Malcom's father was killed
Malcolm's father’s haters had caught up with him for the last time. In 1931, Earl Little was killed in an alleged “street car accident” and later was ruled a suicide. Outraged, depressed, and discombobulated, Malcolm’s mother Louise had several mental breakdowns and was admitted to a mental institution and would not be let out for 24 years. With both parents gone, Malcolm had no other choice but to go to a foster home. One foster home turned into many as Malcolm grew to be a teenager. -
Malcolm drops out of school at age 15
Malcolm, confused what to do with the rest of his life, dropped out of school at the end of the eighth grade. Even though Malcolm was a great student, was voted for class president, and was in the top in all of his classes, one of his favorite teachers once told him that being a lawyer was not a realistic goal for a black boy. Discouraged, Malcolm felt that school wasn’t going to be his path to success, and he dropped out at the end of the eighth grade at age 15. -
Malcolm was convicted of burglary and sent to prison to serve 10 years.
After dropping out of school, Malcolm relocated to Harlem where he got involved in gambling, running numbers, and also selling marijuana. Malcolm's street handle was “Detroit Red”, a name given to him by friends who were also involved in illegal activities. Soon enough, Malcolm became a part of the mob. He left New York and moved to Boston. He began robbing houses for the mob, and for a while he was successful, until a jeweler was notified about a stolen watch. Malcom was soon arrested. -
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Malcom stuided the Nation of Islam in prison
In prison, Malcolm studied the NOI or Nation of Islam. He was first introduced to it by his brother, who at that time was a follower. Malcolm needed hope. He needed the light that was at the end of the tunnel. The NOI was that light. Malcolm studied the Islam religion, and was looking forward to becoming a follower upon his release. -
Malcom paroled from prison
Malcolm was paroled due to his good behavior. The fact that Malcolm was black meant he was sent to the worst possible prison facility, the Charleston State Penitentiary. This prison did not have any running water, nor did it have a mess hall. The inmates were given slop buckets for when they needed to use the bathroom, and were given food inside their cells. Many inmates died due to unsanitary conditions. Malcolm survived and was paroled three years early. -
Malcom devotes his life to the Nation of Islam
In prison, Malcolm dedicated himself to study the NOI and plight. of his African Americans. Upon release, Malcolm changed his name to Malcolm X and was appointed as a minister and national spokesman for the NOI. Elijah Muhammad Muhammad (the leader of the Nation of Islam) charged Malcolm with creating new mosques in cities such as Detroit and Harlem. Malcolm attracted an astounding number of new members by sharing his message through radio, television, and speeches across the globe. -
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Malcoms Ideals
Malcolm's goal in life was to inspire and strive for equality. He believed that if equality was not given, it must be taken. Though some may side with Martin Luther King Jr's beliefs that being peaceful is the way to establish equality, Malcolm's ideals of equality by any means necessary live on, and are what inspire many to fight for their God given rights. Without Malcolm X, America surely would be a different place today. -
Malcom was suspended from the NOI
Elijah Muhammad suspended Malcolm X from the NOI once Malcolm attempted to tell the world that the leader betrayed Islamic beliefs by having affiliations with six women, some even bearing children. He also betrayed Malcolm's personal beliefs. Though the NOI followers didn’t feel the betrayal, Malcolm stood up for his belief that Elijah should not be the leader any longer. Elijah hoped Malcolm’s suspension was temporary and that he would soon come back into the fold. -
Malcom leaves the NOI and starts the Muslim Mosqueira
Malcolm left the NOI due to all the scrutiny he received from Elijah Muhammad. At that time, leaving the NOI was considered a death sentence. Elijah was convinced that Malcolm would be back in a matter of weeks. In fact, Malcolm decided to create his own religious organization called the Muslim Mosqueira, a religious group that is still alive today celebrating Malcolm's accomplishments and the Muslim religion. -
Malcolm forms the Organazation of Afro American Unity
Though Malcolm had created groups before, the Organization of Afro American Unity, or OAAU, had different beliefs than the Muslim Mosqueira. The OAAU was founded by Malcolm to fight for the human rights of African Americans. After a visit to Africa, Malcolm was impressed by the Organization of African Unity. He believed that a similar organization was needed in America to fight for African Americans’ rights as American citizens. -
Malcolm X was assassinated in New York.
On February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was shot dead in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom by three Islamic followers exacting revenge. The three masked men rushed the stage and shot Malcolm repeatedly before running out the doors and disappearing. After many attempts on his life, such as fire bombings and car bombings, Malcolm was finally presumed dead. Malcolm died fighting for what was right and fighting for a cause that still is not yet fully complete. Malcolm X changed the world and died a hero.
