To understand this best, we will first look at the man, before he was El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, before he was Malcolm X, but when he was Malcolm Little.
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little on May 19, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska, as the son of Louise Norton Little and Earl Little. His father was a Baptist minister and devoted supporter of Black Nationalism. His teenage life was filled with turmoil and anguish, something that was propelled by his fathers death and his mother going insane. At a young age Malcolm became aware of how individuals of color were treated, and the fact that the only future they had was becoming a blue collared worker. He drop out of school when his dreams of wanting to become a lawyer were crushed by the words of his eighth grade teacher, when he said that Malcolm had to be, "realistic about being a nigger."( the Autobio. Of Malcolm X p.118). One can easily see the state in which most parts of America were in with the comment made by his teacher and many of the African American"s also began to believe this themselves, and would never have the chance to excel. Malcolm then pursued a life of crime alongside his friend "Shorty" in Harlem, New York. He continued this lifestyle until he was eventually apprehended, and convicted of Burglary and incarcerated in 1946, he was twenty. While in prison, his brother Reginald visited him and told him of the nation of Islam, and the teachings of the leader and prophet Elijah Muhammad. Malcolm became intrigued and studied this organization and their religious believes. He saw an opportunity to rebuild himself and began to re-educate his lost schooling. He was paroled in 1952 at the age of 27, and decided to dedicate himself to the Nation of Islam, changing his name to Malcolm X, without the slightest idea the impact he will soon have on African Americans and the Nation of Islam.
The Nation of Islam, Malcolm's first stepping stone to becoming the great orator and charismatic speaker that he was known for, was led by a man named Elijah Muhammad.