The Path to Discovering Racial IdentityThe Path to Discovering Racial IdentityBefore Malcolm X, also known as El-Hajj Malik El Shabazz, became a Black Muslim Minister, National Spokesman for the Nation of Islam and founder of Muslim Mosque, Inc he had humble beginnings in Lansing, Michigan. He was born May 19, 1925 as Malcolm Little to Earl and Louise Little. His mother was born in Grenada and had light skin because her father was a white man. His father Earl Little was a Baptist preacher and a supporter of Marcus Garvey. Malcolm was the fourth of eight children. Earl and Louise Littles childrens names were Wilfred, Hilda, Philbert, Malcolm, Reginald, Wesley, Yvonne, and Robert. He had two half sisters and one half brother named Ella, Mary, and Earl, Jr. Malcolm’s father was killed by Black Legion members who believed he was too outspoken in the town. Malcolm’s mother was denied a large portion of life insurance money because the court ruled that Earl Little’s death was suicide and that was the exception to the policy. Eventually her sanity slipped away and social services stepped in and separated her from her children. Malcolm X spent ten years in prison for burglary charges before emerging as a powerful speaker for The Nation of Islam. He taught a message of Black Nationalism, traveled the world to give speeches and opened a mosque before his assassination at Audubon Ballroom in 1965.
The goal of The Autobiography of MalcolmX is to chronicle Malcolm X’s changing understanding of racial identity. Racial Identity is gradually discovered through a combination of life experiences and the negative interactions that he has with white people. When he is a child he is called “nigger” so much that he is desensitized to the term. In his teenage years most of his interactions with white people are attempts to elevate his status. His experiences in exposed him to the pro-black ideas of the Nation of Islam. These experiences allowed him develop a firm understanding of his black identity.
The combination of these experiences caused him to be bitter towards white people.In order to understand how Malcolm X awakened out of being a brainwashed black man into a powerful leader one must examine his life experiences that helped to shape him into the influential man he became. Malcolm X states “All of our experiences fuse into our personality. Every thing that ever happened to us is an ingredient” (163) His life experiences can be seen as ingredients that made him into who he was. One of these experiences is when he noticed that he had lighter skin than his siblings and he attempted to gain acceptance through integration in his school and community. Malcolm was the forth of eight children and he inherited his light skin from his mother. He was a light skinned boy and early in life
The Truth of Malcolm X and the Politics of Power. Malcolm X is a leader who was driven by compassion and believed that the world was going to go their way and he would lead it. His mission was to be strong, courageous and a leader who could lead us in a way which helped us to achieve our dream of building a better future. For over 100 years of his life Malcolm X was the inspiration behind his ideas and was a leader who shared his vision for us. This vision led Malcolm to seek truth in life. Many in the movement believed that Malcolm X would lead us to overcome the darkness and darkness of the world. This belief came together into this idea in Malcolm X’s Life and his message of unity in life. Malcolm X believed that the world were to stay the same and have a fair share of the peace of mankind. Malcolm X was also a leader. This idea became Malcolm X’s belief system. However as he was a child he began to understand what race, religion, colour, and class stood for, he didn’t believe they were equal or that we are all equal. Malcolm X believed that while most people have different ideals and values Malcolm X just needed to be a leader for the day. A leader was better than anyone and this was his goal. Throughout history Malcolm X believed that all lives are precious, but many in today’s movement see this as a lie which we as a society allow to be used by the elites. When we see more than that or hear more of what Malcolm X believes, it is difficult for us to see past these lies and our own. This will not be easy, we must make change. Our own power is also very important. Malcolm X believed he did not have the right to change our world and wanted us to be better like his brother. Malcolm X would believe he had the right to make people feel better. Malcolm X believed his ideas were real and that people could change the world through common action. In the aftermath of his death Malcolm X was assassinated in January 1966. He is buried in the Cemetery of Immaculate Conception in Queens, New York. Malcolm X’s tomb will remain unmarked for generations.[1]
The Rise and Fall of Malcolm X
After the death of Malcolm X in May 1966 he was buried in the cemetery. On 29th May, 1966 a memorial named for him was unveiled on the National Mall commemorating his passing. This memorial was held by several members of the Movement, but most members did not go in, instead attending the funeral services of those who were killed. Malcolm X would also be commemorated in one of his many funeral portraits, and some of these were flown in to honor his grave. On 9th June he attended the funeral of Dr. George F Kennedy, who died of the disease Malcolm X was suffering during his pregnancy. Shortly before his funeral Malcolm X was asked to sign a letter requesting that the State of California declare him a traitor. After receiving the letters in return for his loyalty, Malcolm X began to move forward in his life. On 4th November 1966 he moved back to his home state of Connecticut and moved back into his home a little later.[2] Malcolm IX moved