Malcolm X
Uploaded by rickardo32194 on Apr 28, 2013
Malcolm X His Life and Legacy by Kevin Brown
1) A dramatic event that greatly impacted Malcolm’s life was when Elijah Muhammad came to the realization that Malcolm X was becoming too powerful in the Nation of Islam. The reader could have foreseen this happening when Malcolm established guardians for himself, named the Fruit of Islam (65). Muhammad didn’t often left Malcolm express what he really felt and Malcolm X would always have to restrain himself, but once President Kennedy was assassinated he spoke the words he truly felt towards people with racist actions, like killing the President for allowing certain black rights. Upon releasing his temper with his words, Malcolm X was silenced from making public statements for ninety days by Elijah (77). Finally in early March of 1963 Malcolm separated himself from Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, taking two former secretaries with him (79). Not long afterward Malcolm had heard the threats made to him that indirectly came from Elijah Muhammad himself, hence the reward of $10,000 for his assassination (80) during the 60’s. Malcolm X knew that he would soon be killed and upon his pilgrimage from Mecca, he came back different and during one Sunday meetings he was shot multiple times and killed in New York City February 21, 1965 (92).
3) Many people influenced Malcolm throughout his life including his brother, and mother, but he was most influenced by his father, Marcus Garvey, Elijah Muhammad, and Mohandas Gandhi. His father kept him interested in religion and politics and showed him the path into getting blacks their rights. His father helped Garvey towards the improvement of life for blacks (13-15). Malcolm X was intrigued By Gandhi’s peaceful ways of protest for the right of equality (55). During his six years spent in prison he was impressed and influenced by the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and the Nation of Islam, much of his time was spent reading his teachings from his brother’s letters and learning history in the prison library (28-31). Later Malcolm X once said “I was his most faithful servant, and I know today that I did believe in him more firmly than he believed in himself.” Malcolm X looked up to Muhammad more than he did anyone else (79).
5) Malcolm X wanted to eliminate racism and be able give blacks the same rights as whites were enabled just like his father once tried during...