Malcolm X

Malcolm X - Minister, Life Achievements and Personal Life

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Malcolm X's Personal Details

Malcolm X was a renowned African-American Sunni Muslim civil rights activist

InformationDetail
BirthdayMay 19, 1925
Died onFebruary 21, 1965
NationalityAmerican
FamousAfrican American Authors, African Americans, Bisexual, Activists, Civil Rights Activists, ESTP, Minister
Nick namesEl-Hajj Malik, El-Shabazz, Detroit Red, Red
SpousesBetty Shabazz
SiblingsElla Collins, Philbert X, Reginald Little, Wilfred X
Known asMalcolm Little
ChildrensAttallah Shabazz, Gamilah Lumumba Shabazz, Ilyasah Shabazz, Malaak Shabazz, Malikah Shabazz, Qubilah Shabazz
Founder / Co-Founder
  • Organisation of African Unity
  • Muslim Mosque
  • Inc.
  • Organization of Afro-American Unity
Cause of death
  • Assassination
Birth PlaceNorth Omaha, Nebraska
ReligionIslam, Sunni Islam, Nation of Islam
Height192
GenderMale
FatherEarl Little
MotherLouise Little
Sun SignTaurus
Born inNorth Omaha, Nebraska
Famous asMinister
Died at Age39

Malcolm X's photo

Who is Malcolm X?

Often considered as one of the most significant leaders of African-American Muslim citizens, Malcolm X did his part to inspire many blacks across the United States, to strive for personal freedom. His inspiration came when, in his childhood, his father was seemingly killed by whites, and Malcolm was left an orphan. Also, as a kid, his teachers showed no confidence in him despite his exceptional academic performance. His dream of becoming a lawyer was shattered when it was suggested that carpentry would be a better profession for a black. Initially inspired by his stepsister Ella, he found himself employment, but soon took to unfair means of earning money. During his term at the prison, he was introduced to the tenets preached by the religious organization, 'Nation of Islam'. He was highly motivated by the teachings of Elijah Muhammad, proceeding to spread the same message to others. He soon became famous, but was also often the subject of scrutiny for controversial comments. It was only after leaving the 'Nation of Islam' that he worked hard to attain unity, and gained popularity. He also earned his share of enemies, who eventually assassinated him during one of his public addresses. Even today, this activist is held in high regard by some of the most distinguished human rights leaders

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Childhood & Early Life

Malcolm Little was born to Earl, a local political leader, belonging to the 'Universal Negro Improvement Association' ('UNIA'), and his wife, Louise Helen, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, on May 19, 1925.

Because of the volatile black-white conflict in the region, the family soon shifted to Wisconsin's largest city, Milwaukee, in 1926. Here too, the Little family wasn't safe, and Earl, being an active political leader, invited trouble from white racists.

Within a few years, Earl died in a car accident, but his wife believed that there had been foul play, and he had been killed by the white members of the organization, 'Black Legion'.

During 1937-38, Malcolm's mother, Louise, suffered from depression after being cheated on by a new boyfriend who had left her pregnant. She had to be hospitalized, and the children had to be raised by different foster families.

The young boy was a brilliant student in school, popular with his friends even though he was the only black in the class. However, one day when he expressed his dream of pursuing law in future, his teacher discouraged him saying that dreaming big for a black was irrational. This caused the excellent student to quit school, and start work as a shoeshine boy.

Soon however, Little got drawn towards antisocial activities like smuggling drugs, gambling, and stealing, which eventually led to his arrest and a long sentence in prison.

Later Life

While in the 'Charlestown State Prison', in Boston, Massachusetts, he was gradually motivated by his brothers and sisters to join the 'Nation of Islam', a new Detroit-based religious organization, despite his initial hesitation.

He was introduced to the leader of the 'Nation of Islam', Elijah Muhammad, in 1948, by his brother Reginald, and the religious chief played a major role in Little's later life.

In 1950, he claimed to be a Communist, and in a correspondence to US President Harry S. Truman, spoke of how he was against the 'Korean War', signing his name as "Malcolm X". He stopped using the name "Little", since he believed that the surname was given by some white master to his slave ancestors.

Malcolm was let out on parole in 1952, during which he met religious leader, Elijah Muhammad. For the next two years, he served as the head of mosques known as Temple Number 1, 11, 12, and finally 7. As one of the prominent personalities of the 'Nation of Islam', he set up mosques in various places like Springfield, Hartford, and Atlanta.

In 1957, this political leader came under the New York police scrutiny, when he stood up against the arrest of his colleague Johnson Hinton from the 'Nation of Islam'.

As a member of the 'Nation of Islam', he preached that whites were reincarnations of the devil, and that the blacks were the only natives of the world. He was also sure that the "white race" would eventually die out, leaving the blacks as the sole rulers of the world.

These teachings did not make him favourable to the whites, and even some blacks. He came across as prejudiced, himself, and was considered by many as a hindrance to peaceful relations between members of two races.

He showed open contempt for civil rights rallies and movements, calling Martin Luther King Jr. a fool, and claiming that George Washington was a black-hater. He went completely against the goals of civil rights organization by demanding a separate nation for the blacks, rather than working towards racial integration.

Towards the end of the decade, he had chosen another name for himself, Malik el-Shabazz, and was becoming quite famous. In 1959, he appeared on the documentary, 'The Hate That Hate Produced', which spoke about the 'Nation of Islam' and its leaders.

In 1960, he attended the 'United Nations General Assembly', held at New York City. It was here that he got acquainted to famous African leaders like Egyptian Gamal Abdel Nasser, Guinean Ahmed Sékou Touré, and Zambian Kenneth Kaunda. He also built up a rapport with the Communist luminary, Fidel Castro, who invited Malcolm to Cuba.

Based on Malcolm X's discourse, a lot of black extremists led revolutionary movements, like the 'Black Arts' and the 'Black Power'. With his growing popularity amongst the supporters of the 'Nation of Islam', Elijah Muhammad grew envious, harbouring hatred for the former.

On March 8, 1964, X declared that he had decided to quit the 'Nation of Islam', and follow the teachings of Sunni Islam from thereon. He blamed his mentor, Muhammad for having helped form his extreme biased ideals and developed his hatred for civil rights campaigns.

After quitting the 'Nation of Islam', he strived to establish racial integration in America, working alongside activists like Martin Luther King Jr. and establishing the 'Organization of Afro-American Unity'.

Major Works

In 1964, Malcolm founded the 'Organization of Afro-American Unity' with the goal of promoting human rights for African-Americans, and bringing about cooperation between Africans across the United States.

Personal Life & Legacy

Malcolm met Betty Sanders in 1955, during his lectures at the 'Nation of Islam' meetings. Sanders became a regular face at his lectures, and soon the two fell in love.

Malcolm got married to Sanders, who is also known as Betty X, in 1958. The couple were blessed with six daughters, Gamilah Lumumba, Qubilah, Attallah, Ilyasah, Malaak and Malikah.

Upon leaving the 'Nation of Islam', the activist received several threats to his life, and was finally assassinated on February 21, 1965, during a speech at the 'Audubon Ballroom' in Manhattan.

The leader was rushed to the 'Columbia Presbyterian Hospital', where the post-mortem revealed 21 gunshots aimed at him. Three of the conspirators were identified as Talmadge Hayer, Norman Butler, and Thomas Johnson, members of 'nation of Islam'. Of them, Hayer was one of the assailants, but the identities of the others were unknown.

Malcolm's funeral service was held at Harlem's 'Unity Funeral Home', and was attended by eminent people like John Lewis, Andrew Young, James Farmer, and Ossie Davis, amongst others.

Trivia

This famous leader of America's 'Nation of Islam' inspired the boxing champion, Muhammad Ali to join the organization, and gradually the two grew close, almost like brothers.

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Malcolm X's awards

YearNameAward

Other

1992New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor - Denzel Washington
1994NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Al Freeman; Jr
1994NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture
01994 - NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture - Angela Bassett
0 1994 - NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture - Denzel Washington
0 1993 - MTV Movie Award for Best Male Performance - Denzel Washington

Malcolm X biography timelines

  • // 19th May 1925
    Malcolm Little was born to Earl, a local political leader, belonging to the 'Universal Negro Improvement Association' ('UNIA'), and his wife, Louise Helen, in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, on May 19, 1925.
  • // 1926
    Because of the volatile black-white conflict in the region, the family soon shifted to Wisconsin's largest city, Milwaukee, in 1926. Here too, the Little family wasn't safe, and Earl, being an active political leader, invited trouble from white racists.
  • // 1937 To 1938
    During 1937-38, Malcolm's mother, Louise, suffered from depression after being cheated on by a new boyfriend who had left her pregnant. She had to be hospitalized, and the children had to be raised by different foster families.
  • // 1948
    He was introduced to the leader of the 'Nation of Islam', Elijah Muhammad, in 1948, by his brother Reginald, and the religious chief played a major role in Little's later life.
  • // 1950
    In 1950, he claimed to be a Communist, and in a correspondence to US President Harry S. Truman, spoke of how he was against the 'Korean War', signing his name as "Malcolm X". He stopped using the name "Little", since he believed that the surname was given by some white master to his slave ancestors.
  • // 1952
    Malcolm was let out on parole in 1952, during which he met religious leader, Elijah Muhammad. For the next two years, he served as the head of mosques known as Temple Number 1, 11, 12, and finally 7. As one of the prominent personalities of the 'Nation of Islam', he set up mosques in various places like Springfield, Hartford, and Atlanta.
  • // 1955
    Malcolm met Betty Sanders in 1955, during his lectures at the 'Nation of Islam' meetings. Sanders became a regular face at his lectures, and soon the two fell in love.
  • // 1957
    In 1957, this political leader came under the New York police scrutiny, when he stood up against the arrest of his colleague Johnson Hinton from the 'Nation of Islam'.
  • // 1958
    Malcolm got married to Sanders, who is also known as Betty X, in 1958. The couple were blessed with six daughters, Gamilah Lumumba, Qubilah, Attallah, Ilyasah, Malaak and Malikah.
  • // 1959
    Towards the end of the decade, he had chosen another name for himself, Malik el-Shabazz, and was becoming quite famous. In 1959, he appeared on the documentary, 'The Hate That Hate Produced', which spoke about the 'Nation of Islam' and its leaders.
  • // 1960
    In 1960, he attended the 'United Nations General Assembly', held at New York City. It was here that he got acquainted to famous African leaders like Egyptian Gamal Abdel Nasser, Guinean Ahmed Sékou Touré, and Zambian Kenneth Kaunda. He also built up a rapport with the Communist luminary, Fidel Castro, who invited Malcolm to Cuba.
  • // 1964
    In 1964, Malcolm founded the 'Organization of Afro-American Unity' with the goal of promoting human rights for African-Americans, and bringing about cooperation between Africans across the United States.
  • // 8th Mar 1964
    On March 8, 1964, X declared that he had decided to quit the 'Nation of Islam', and follow the teachings of Sunni Islam from thereon. He blamed his mentor, Muhammad for having helped form his extreme biased ideals and developed his hatred for civil rights campaigns.
  • // 21st Feb 1965
    Upon leaving the 'Nation of Islam', the activist received several threats to his life, and was finally assassinated on February 21, 1965, during a speech at the 'Audubon Ballroom' in Manhattan.

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Malcolm X's FAQ

  • What is Malcolm X birthday?

    Malcolm X was born at 1925-05-19

  • When was Malcolm X died?

    Malcolm X was died at 1965-02-21

  • Where was Malcolm X died?

    Malcolm X was died in New York City

  • Which age was Malcolm X died?

    Malcolm X was died at age 39

  • Where is Malcolm X's birth place?

    Malcolm X was born in North Omaha, Nebraska

  • What is Malcolm X nationalities?

    Malcolm X's nationalities is American

  • What is Malcolm X nick names?

    Malcolm X's nickNames is El-Hajj Malik, El-Shabazz, Detroit Red, Red

  • Who is Malcolm X spouses?

    Malcolm X's spouses is Betty Shabazz

  • Who is Malcolm X siblings?

    Malcolm X's siblings is Ella Collins, Philbert X, Reginald Little, Wilfred X

  • Who is Malcolm X childrens?

    Malcolm X's childrens is Attallah Shabazz, Gamilah Lumumba Shabazz, Ilyasah Shabazz, Malaak Shabazz, Malikah Shabazz, Qubilah Shabazz

  • Which company or organization was founded by Malcolm X?

    Malcolm X was the founder/co-founder of Organisation of African Unity, Muslim Mosque, Inc., Organization of Afro-American Unity

  • What is Malcolm X's cause of dead?

    Malcolm X dead because of Assassination

  • What is Malcolm X's religion?

    Malcolm X's religion is Islam, Sunni Islam, Nation of Islam

  • How tall is Malcolm X?

    Malcolm X's height is 192

  • Who is Malcolm X's father?

    Malcolm X's father is Earl Little

  • Who is Malcolm X's mother?

    Malcolm X's mother is Louise Little

  • What is Malcolm X's sun sign?

    Malcolm X is Taurus

  • How famous is Malcolm X?

    Malcolm X is famouse as Minister