Malcolm X Research Paper

English 101
March 21, 2014

Malcolm X was a man of strong words and beliefs and was a major contributor to the black societies across the world. He fought for what he believed was right and would give equal rights to his community. Never the less he also educated the young. Though his early life was difficult, he had to overcome the death of his father and his mother mental breakdown which caused her to get hospitalized for twenty-six years. Along his tragedies was denied the opportunity to grow up with his siblings who were all separated and placed in different foster homes. “With his father still father still urging the African American race to take control of their live, he was murdered in 1931”(Pendergast). Malcolm’s father
The Islamic faith promoted strict moral purity and the superiority of the black race (Baughman). Malcolm X was assigned to lead Temple No. 7 in Harlem and became the dominate National Spokesman for the Black Muslims. By 1963 he was becoming well-known by the public. He was appearing on television; cover of newspapers and in public forms. His philosophy was “any means necessary” in order for the African American race to achieve their freedom. He urged the black community to give up the Christian religion and reject integration (Gale). He supported black separatism and advised the black Americans to “take up arms in self-defense against the white hostility” (Malcolm X). In one of his speeches he said “Afro Americans should not be victims any longer…bloodshed is a two way street…dying is a two way street… killing is a two way street” (Malcolm X). He spoke words of authority that created fear among the whites and hope among the blacks. He had a voice that influenced people to listen at what he had to say. Malcolm X‘s voice changed the Nation of Islam from Six hundred people in 1952 to about 30,000 in 1963. (Headrick) The only way he knew to get his point across to the white society was to encourage violence amongst the black community. This was the only way to make the white society see the black people as equals in their society. He also preached that the black community should fight back. If someone hits you then you should hit them back. That is what Malcolm said to people. But, Dr. King was teaching people to turn the other cheek. He made the black society believe in what is right and what is wrong. He made them see what the white society was doing to the black community was wrong. He taught the black community how to think, and when he changed the minds of the black people things were bound to happen to change the world, whether it was good