VII. Department from Nation of Islam

Malcolm X led an interesting life. Although his life was short, he went through many transformations. My paper examines the transformations of Malcolm X.

Malcolm X led an interesting life. Although his life was short, he went through many transformations. He evolved from a streetwise teenager, to a Muslim minister, and finally, a militant leader of thousands of people in the Nation of Islam. Certain events and people in his life effected those transformations. His life displays how he became one of the most respected, feared, and motivating men in American history.

Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska to Louise and Earl Little. The youngest of seven children he was favored by both parents. The only child who was allowed to go to work with his father was Malcolm. His father frequently treated Malcolm specially because of his light skin and red hair. Even though Earl was a dark black man, his wife Louise could pass for a w

The Malcolm that was placed behind bars in 1946 was not the same Malcolm who was released in 1952. He used his time to gain an education, quit using drugs, and find a constructive path to follow. This path was the Nation of Islam. Malcolm joined Detroit Temple Number One, and was very active in his place of worship. Malcolm felt as thought there weren’t enough members at the temple and started a membership drive. Although the membership didn’t increase quickly, it did increase steadily. Malcolm had found his calling. He had to find a way to spend all of his time doing Muslim work.

Malcolm made many transformations during his lifetime. He went from being Malcolm Little, to Detroit Red, to Malcolm X, to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. In a way Malcolm was a product of his environment. He grew up without the influence of his father and his years in Detroit, as Detroit Red reflect that, he was lost looking for a place to fit in. While Malcolm was in prison his brother encouraged him to join the Nation of Islam. Through the Nation of Islam Malcolm found himself. Detroit Red became Malcolm X. As part of the Nation of Islam Malcolm became a minister. Through the years Malcolm’s views started to differ from the Nation of Islam’s. When the incident with John Kennedy came about Malcolm was thrown out of the movement. As a result, Malcolm revaluated his life and took his hajji to Mecca. While in Mecca, Malcolm X became to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz. Shabazz’s views were an extension of Malcolm X’s. Shabazz was in the process of starting the OOAAU. Unfortunately, his life was abruptly cut short with an assassination. Many people only know of Malcolm X through the Nation of Islam. They have no idea of the transformations he went through to get there.

When Malcolm arrived in Arizona to see Muhammad, he knew something was wrong. The greeting he received was abnormal. When Malcolm got the chance to talk to Muhammad; he told Malcolm what he said about the president was wrong and could not be tolerated. He also said that he was silenced and could not speak for ninety days. Malcolm was to have no contact with the media, which included writers, reporters, nor to teach the mosque.

“Malcolm, one of life’s first needs is for us to be realistic. Don’t misunderstand me, now. We all like you here, you know that. But you’ve got to be realistic about being a nigger. A lawyer- now that’s no realistic goal for a nigger. You need to think about something you can be…”” (Haley 38)

Some topics in this essay:
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