By Candice Kerestan

Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam

Who Was Malcolm X?Born Malcolm Little

(El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) on May, 25 1925Many Black Muslims

such as Malcolm replaced their last name with “X” to signify lost African names

Born in Omaha, NE, although spent the remainder of his childhood in Detroit, MI

Civil rights leader that promoted black supremacy

Malcolm X’s ChildhoodMalcolm’s father was a

Baptist minister and a firm believer in black supremacy which allowed him to be a target of hate groups

Crimes were committed against both him and his family including the burning of the Little’s home and later the slaughter of his father

Malcolm and his eight siblings were then placed in foster care for the remainder of their youth

Malcolm X’s YouthAfter being told he

would never make it as a lawyer because of his race by a school teacher, Malcolm’s hatred for Whites grew

Later moved to New York where he began committing crimes such as armed robbery that eventually lead him to serving jail time

Malcolm X’s Involvement with the NoIWhile imprisoned,

Malcolm was exposed to the Nation of Islam, which gained many of its members through prison ministry

Malcolm's disdain for Whites corresponded with the Nation of Islam’s black supremacy ideology causing him to join this movement and convert to Islam

What is the Nation of Islam?

Religious organization founded by Wallace D. Fard that follows traditional Muslim customs with

several key differences“Justice, Faith, Equality, Islam”

Beliefs of the Nation of IslamBelieve sthat the prophet Muhammad lives

through the founder of the Nation of Islam, Wallace Fard

Stresses the superiority of African Americans over other races

Like regular custom Muslim ways, Black Muslims are discouraged from smoking, drinking, and eating unhealthy

Malcolm X and the NoI After converting,

Malcolm became of the organization’s top ministers, speaking to many African American’s and spreading the NOI’s ideology Encouraged Black’s

to do what ever needed to gain rights even if it meant using violence

Known for key phrase “by any means necessary” (in reference to gaining Black rights)

Drifting away from the NOIMalcolm made the

pilgrimage to Mecca, the Islamic holy city in 1964

This trip changed his life, and his view on Islam began changing Started accepting all

races and lost certain aspects of black supremacy

Returned to America and withdrew membership from the Nation of Islam

Death of Malcolm XUpset with his choice, many Black Muslims

were outraged Later assassinated in 1965 by three Black

Muslims at the Autobahn Ballroom in New York City

Impact of Malcolm X and NoI

Despite Malcolm’s final differing views on the Nation of Islam, his ministry undoubtedly influenced many African American’s during a racially-significant time in American history

Recognized today as a former key civil rights activist; he even has a street named after him in New York City

References A Brief History on the origin of The Nation of

Islam in America A Nation of Peace & Beauty. (2010, April 25). The Nation of Islam. Retrieved from http://www.noi.org/history_of_noi.htm

Biography. (2010). Malcolm X. Retrieved from http://www.malcolmx.com/about/bio.html

Boyer, P., & Stuckey, S. (2005). American Nation in the Modern Era. Austin: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston . (Original work published 2000)